Radio outburst subject of complaint

A Wanaka radio announcer who denounced a local woman on air because she had raised concerns about a "white supreeemacy"-themed school ball after-party, will be the subject of a complaint to the Broadcasting Complaints Authority.

Wayne Johnson urged listeners to "run [Shelley] Mitchell out of town," on his Radio Wanaka breakfast show, yesterday morning.

His call came after Ms Mitchell contacted media with her concerns about tonight's "white supreeemacy"-themed party after the Mount Aspiring College school formal.

Ms Mitchell had asked that she not be identified because of concerns about a public backlash from town residents and school pupils.

Mr Johnson's condemnation came at the end of an on-air interview with school principal Wayne Bosley and two female pupils, about the recall of 180 "white supreeemacy" after-party tickets.

Ms Mitchell said she would lodge a complaint with the broadcasting authority about Mr Johnson's comments.

Her daughter, Lisa (17), had been verbally abused by pupils and had left school early, after Radio Wanaka identified Ms Mitchell as the complainant.

Ms Mitchell said she did not want to make further comments because she was concerned about community reaction.

Mr Johnson could not be contacted yesterday.

Radio Wanaka co-owner Ed Taylor said his breakfast show co-host would apologise on air on Monday morning.

Mr Taylor said Mr Johnson's outburst had happened after the two female school pupils had broken down and cried during the interview.

"Wayne got caught up in the heat of the moment. He was upset the story had gone out globally to the media, not because Shelley had made a complaint," Mr Taylor said.

Several other Wanaka residents have supported Ms Mitchell's stand.

Bev and Tamara Murray approached the Otago Daily Times yesterday to praise Ms Mitchell.

"She should hold her head up high and be proud. What she has said is exactly right and it takes a lot of guts to stand up for what you believe," Ms Murray said.

"People need to get off their case and stop harassing them," she added.

Mr Bosley said the after-party organisation committee pupils, who came up with the "white supreeemacy" theme and ticketing blunder, had made an "innocent" mistake.

The school had offered an apology to the Mitchells and he apologised to any people who were offended by the matter.

The college's board of trustees Maori liaison representative, Paul Tamati, said the issue was a wake-up call for the broader Wanaka community.

He said Wanaka was a sheltered place and the issue raised questions about whether better education about racial issues was needed.

Mr Tamati said Ms Mitchell was the only person who had raised the ticket issue with the school.

After the matter was brought to the attention of Mr Bosley, the tickets had been recalled and new tickets with a "white-out" theme were printed, urging partygoers to dress in white.

• The Mt Aspiring College "after-party" is not being held on land near the Clutha River outlet tonight, Snr Sgt Alan Grindell, of Wanaka, confirmed yesterday.

The Otago Daily Times yesterday incorrectly reported the after-party was to be held at the outlet. Snr Sgt Grindell said the venue would not be publicly disclosed, but said it was being held on private land, near Wanaka.

The after-party is being organised by a committee of year 13 pupils with the support of police and parents. It is not a school-organised event.