Government A significant number of complaints (21.5 per cent) related to unlawful discrimination by government. This included actual or perceived discrimination by agencies or individuals in their application of legislation, policy or practice, in areas such as education, local government, health and justice. As in previous years, the largest number of complaints related to education establishments, which received more than twice the number of complaints of alleged unlawful discrimination than any other sector. A number of complaints were also made about actions by local councils, police, prisons and health services. A lesser number were in areas such as welfare benefits and housing support. Most complaints (70.5 per cent) came from people who felt they had been treated less favourably based upon their race, ethnicity, national origins or colour; while 16 per cent related to racial harassment or bullying. Other complaints related to failure to accommodate language or cultural needs. A small number of complaints were also received from non-Mäori people who felt that specific programmes or policies which engaged with and strengthened Tangata Whenua were discriminatory, despite the fact that such initiatives were affirming a particular cultural identity, not diminishing or subjugating another. Provision of goods and services Complaints to do with the provision of goods and services made up 16 per cent of race discrimination complaints. Complainants said that they had been treated unfairly, stereotyped or harassed in retail situations or when accessing services. Of these around a quarter said that they had been excluded from receiving goods or services on the basis of their race, ethnicity or colour. The largest number of alleged unlawful discrimination complaints related to incidents when using health services (such as hospital and doctor visits), closely followed by incidents in supermarkets and bars/nightclubs. Racial disharmony Complaints related to abusive, derogatory or offensive words used in a public place* made up nineteen percent of race discrimination complaints. Cartoons published in The Press and Marlborough Express about free school meals resulted in a very high number 24 of complaints. Fifty-nine people contacted the Commission regarding the cartoons’ alleged negative stereotyping of Mäori and Pacific people and in response to comments made after the cartoons were published. Material published on Facebook, websites and blogs was a major source of complaints, with online media generating more than double the complaints of traditional media such as television, radio and newspapers (not including the cartoons complaints above). * Note: For such comment to be unlawful under section 61 of the Human Rights Act, it needs to cause or excite hostility against groups of people, or bring them into contempt, because of their race, colour, or ethnic or national origin. A complaint of exciting racial disharmony must be balanced against the right to freedom of expression. Significant events which led to race-related complaints There were several key incidents during the year that prompted a number of people to contact the Commission. While these events were not categorised as being perceived or actual unlawful discrimination, they provoked discussion and debate around race relations. Offensive material about Chinese and Jewish people left in mailboxes and posted online generated 31 complaints. While the actions did not meet the threshold for unlawful discrimination or inciting racial disharmony, the Commission worked with the Police to monitor the activity and support the communities affected. The distribution of such materials is a problem the Commission has seen resurface regularly over the years. The materials, distributed by small groups of individuals, left people feeling upset, angry and threatened. Comments made by a Danish politician, Marie Krarup, were met with international outrage when she mocked a Mäori welcome to Aotearoa New Zealand, dubbing the pöwhiri an “uncivilised” ritual, and marae a “grotesque” mark of multicultural worship. Her comments, and the response to the comments, were the subject of 41 complaints. The Commission also received 23 complaints after remarks made by NZ First MP Richard Prosser were considered to be “anti-Muslim” when published in Investigate magazine. The reaction to Mr Prosser’s comments as well as the cartoons about free school meals are discussed in more detail in the Media chapter. Do you have a human rights enquiry or complaint? Find out how you can speak with us or submit a complaint online at: www.hrc.co.nz/complaints.