Paul Henry
The Race Relations Commissioner had condemned TVNZ host
Paul Henry's remarks that Prime Minister John Key should select
a Governor-General who "looks and sounds more like a New
Zealander".
On the Breakfast programme this morning Henry asked
the Prime Minister about who he was looking at to replace Sir
Anand Satyanand when his five year term ends this year.
"Is he even a New Zealander?" Henry asked about Sir Anand.
Mr Key said he was.
"Are you going to choose a New Zealander who looks and sounds
like a New Zealander this time... Are we going to go for
someone who is more like a New Zealander this time?"
Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres said Henry showed
appalling ignorance.
"The implication of his comments seems to be that anyone of
Indian or Asian descent cannot be a New Zealander and should
not hold public office unless they `look or speak like one',"
he said.
"I am intrigued to know what Paul Henry's definition is of
looking and speaking like a New Zealander, given that New
Zealand's population includes 650,000 people of Asian descent
and many people of different ethnicities who speak English
with a wide variety of accents."
A spokeswoman for TVNZ said there had been two complaints
this morning.
However; "The audience tell us over and over again that one
of the things they love about Paul Henry is that he's
prepared to say the things we quietly think but are scared to
say out loud," she said.
"The question of John Key is the same, we want the answer but
are to scared to ask."
Mr de Bres found TVNZ's response concerning.
Regular presenter on gadget and technology issues, Ben
Gracewood, has quit his role with Breakfast over the
comments.
"I've had enough... I love our multicultural, vibrant country
to death and anyone who would like to foment racism simply
for a laugh or to get more viewers can take a jump."
He said he would be happy to return if Henry left the show.
Henry told the Stuff website he stood by what he said and
"some people are very easily offended".
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