A Syrian job applicant was told by an Invercargill company executive he should change his name to something more Kiwi because conservative southerners would think twice about working with him.
Graeme McMillan, of GM Designs, told the man he had hired an Irishman due to cultural links and similarities.
The Syrian, a 22-year-old Auckland-based man with a civil engineering degree, was applying for a graduate position within the architectural and structural design business.
He spoke to The New Zealand Herald on condition his name was not disclosed.
During an email exchange, Mr McMillan asked for a photograph, his country of origin and how long he had lived here.
When asked why by the applicant, Mr McMillan said, "Unfortunately, any southern NZer client in business would possibly think twice about dealing with anyone with a Middle Eastern name."
He added that the applicant should consider changing his name to "break down such a disadvantage".
"I offered the placement to an Irish engineer due to his cultural similarity to that of NZers and their acceptance by most southerners, as the province was originally settled by Irish and Scottish 120 years ago."
When contacted, Mr McMillan stood by his comments.
"All Chinese that we get take on an English name that you can pronounce," he said.
When asked if he thought southern New Zealand residents would take exception to working with an Arab, he said: "It's very conservative; it's not like Auckland."
He said the man did not have the right qualifications.
"I was trying to be helpful to him. He just didn't have the technical background.
"He applied for a job he wasn't confident to get and then he's trying to make a big thing about who he was and what he was and why I wasn't giving him an appointment.
"At least I went back to him and said something to him. Usually, employers don't say anything."
The applicant, who has gained another job in engineering, said he wanted to highlight discrimination against immigrants.
The Human Rights Act 1993 states that a qualified job applicant cannot be refused because of race or colour or religious or ethical beliefs.
