Community Engagement Report for developing a National Action Plan Against Racism Introduction Racism is an entrenched part of everyday life in Aotearoa New Zealand. Contemporary racism has its roots in the Doctrine of Discovery, which drove European colonisation around the globe from the fifteenth century and led to the exploration and colonisation of Aotearoa by the British Crown from the eighteenth century. This report sets out the contemporary perspectives of Tangata Whenua and Tangata Tiriti on racism in this country. To provide context and position the discussion that follows we begin with a brief history of how racism developed in Aotearoa. New Zealand Human Rights Commission 23