Rise in Racism Towards Indian Communities in New Zealand
In New Zealand, Indian communities are expressing concern as they face a troubling increase in racist incidents. Recently, offensive graffiti targeting Indians has appeared in several locations throughout Auckland, displaying violent and racist messages.
This uptick in hostility follows a free trade agreement between New Zealand and India. Comments made by Shane Jones, the deputy leader of New Zealand’s First party, have stirred controversy. He claimed to be against the “butter chicken tsunami,” drawing ire from many. This came shortly after Auckland’s mayor, Wayne Brown, faced backlash for referring to an Indian staff member at a public broadcaster as a “Muslim terrorist,” although he later apologized for his remarks.
A Controversial Haka Performance
The situation escalated when Che Wilson, a former leader of the Māori Party, performed a haka during a competition. This haka was directed at Parmjeet Parmar, an MP born in India, and included derogatory remarks about Indian culture. Many viewed this as an unfair attack on her identity rather than a critique of her political actions.
Shaneel Lal, a young advocate with Indian and Fijian roots, pointed out that while criticizing Parmar’s political stance is valid, turning that criticism into an attack on her culture was misguided. He noted that both Indian and Māori people have similar experiences with colonization and that such acts of racism not only hurt individuals but also the entire community.
Recent police reports show a substantial increase in hate crimes against South Asians, underscoring the need for urgent action against such rising sentiments. Lal stated, “The Indian community is being hounded from all ends,” and warned of severe consequences if the government does not intervene.
Growing Fear of Racial Discrimination
The United Nations has previously raised alarms about the state of racial discrimination in New Zealand, cautioning that Māori rights could be undermined and highlighting ongoing racist speech by some politicians. The atmosphere of prejudice is notably tense, especially with elections approaching.
Tina Ngata, an anti-racism advocate, pointed to the historical roots of anti-Indian sentiment in New Zealand, dating back to the early 20th century, and emphasized that both Indian and Māori communities are adversely affected by this prevailing racism.
A Shared History
Indians have long been part of New Zealand’s fabric, arriving alongside Europeans during early explorations. By the late 19th century, migration increased, leading to a current Indian population of over 292,000. Despite their long-standing presence, attitudes rooted in colonialism have led to groups like the “White New Zealand League,” which fought against the inclusion of Indian migrants.
Ngata reminded us of the solidarity between Māori and Indian communities as they face common challenges. Mohan Dutta, a professor born in India, echoed this sentiment, highlighting that both groups face racism driven by a broader ideology of white supremacy.
The Council of Sikh Affairs confirmed that Wilson has apologized for the haka performance and that a traditional Māori resolution process is in progress. Ngata also mentioned that many place names across New Zealand reflect the history of Indian migration, highlighting its significance in the country’s social context.
Her closing remark emphasizes unity: “We are much stronger together as communities united against colonialism, which harms all communities.”
