Young Chinese migrants show resilience A survey from the Mental Health Foundation10 showed that most Chinese ”generation 1.5ers” (migrants who arrived between the ages of six and 18 years) were happy living in Aotearoa New Zealand despite facing bullying, name calling, intimidation, language struggles and lack of acceptance during their first few years here. The survey revealed that mental resilience and parental support were key to overcoming the challenges faced by young Chinese migrants. Shopper fined for telling woman to remove burqa A shopper was found guilty of offensive behaviour after shouting at a foreign student in a Dunedin supermarket, telling her to either take off her burqa or leave New Zealand. The student was left feeling shaken and scared. Onlookers were shocked by the incident, which the police prosecutor described as “morally repugnant”. Operation Eight trampled basic rights In December 2013, the Human Rights Commission released a report on Police actions during Operation Eight stating that the human rights of innocent people had been neglected. The Commission’s report followed an investigation by the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) which found that police had acted unlawfully during Operation Eight, an investigation into the activities of a group of people who were alleged to be involved in military-style training camps within the Urewera Ranges. Operation Eight, which took place between 2005 and 2007, included the execution of 41 search warrants, armed police arrests and the establishment of road blocks at Ruatoki and Täneatua. The IPCA investigation concluded that police illegally stopped vehicles, detained people in their homes and took their photographs. The Commission received 31 complaints about Police actions, raising serious concerns about human rights issues such as the right to be free of unreasonable search and seizure and the right to freedom of movement. Complaints included being stopped at the roadblock at Ruatoki and photographed without consent, the negative implications of using the Terrorism Suppression Act, and the impact on children confined for several hours, some without food. The Commission’s report concluded that, during Operation Eight, innocent people had their basic rights trampled. It recommended that steps be taken to ensure the future protection of the human rights of innocent people and to prevent unnecessary trauma. Airline refuses to hire applicant with tä moko An aspiring flight attendant of Mäori descent was refused a job with Air New Zealand because she had tä moko, a traditional tattoo, on her arm. The airline defended its policy against visible tattoos, saying tattoos could be considered frightening to some cultures. © APN/S Ivey Traditional moko is an expression and celebration of Mäori culture and identity. The Human Rights Commission regularly receives complaints when Mäori who wear moko have been denied employment, entry to premises, or declined service because of a ban on tattoos. 26