More than 90 percent of non-Europeans in Nelson have
experienced some form of racial abuse, a survey has found.
The survey was part of a report into racist incidents in the
Nelson and Tasman area.
The report - Towards a Reporting System for Racist Incidents
in Nelson/Tasman - Diverse Communities Speak - was launched
at a function today.
It was attended by human rights commissioner Joris de Bres,
the mayors of Nelson and Tasman and a wide range of community
groups and organisations.
The survey was conducted in April and June, and 184 people of
48 ethnicities participated. It asked groups about being
treated badly because of their ethnicity.
Some reports ranged from abuse directed at children as young
as five, through to frequent comments shouted from cars.
The survey was conducted by a visiting lawyer on holiday from
Ireland, Debbie Kohner.
She became involved after offering to do some voluntary work
for the Nelson Multicultural Council.
The report was aimed at finding a type of reporting system
that would work in the Nelson and Tasman area.
It was spurred by a Christchurch initiative called Report It
- a web-based system for international students at tertiary
institutions in Christchurch.
It was sad to hear that so many people had accepted racist
abuse as simply being part of life in New Zealand, Ms Kohner
said.
Police area commander Inspector Brian McGurk said police and
community leaders were taking the report seriously.
"We will be working to ensure it is followed up with a
reporting system that provides a voice and direct action for
those suffering racial harassment or discrimination."
It would be for anyone who experienced racism, not just
students, and would not just be web-based, Mr McGurk said.
It would include phone calls and possibly face to face
reporting.
The region owed a debt of gratitude to Ms Kohner, he said.
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.