Ki te whaiao, ki te ao Mārama Although the COVID-19 response in Aotearoa has been world-leading, it also provides an instructive example of how racism operates in this country. The response to the virus repeated historical patterns, exacerbated existing inequities – originating in colonisation and systemic racism – and increased existing levels of discrimination and harassment. As the virus originated in China, before spreading internationally, some politicians around the world labelled it a ‘Chinese virus’ and used anti-immigrant rhetoric. In Aotearoa and internationally, this led to a rise in discrimination, harassment and violence against Asian ethnic groups, particularly Chinese and East Asian communities. Asian communities in Aotearoa felt increasingly unsafe. Discrimination and harassment of this nature is also associated with a rise in depressive symptoms and reluctance to seek medical help. Increase in racist incidents National surveys in February and March 2021 showed that racist incidents increased during the pandemic, particularly for Māori, Pacific and Asian respondents. The same surveys also found strong support to stop or reduce immigration, with a particular focus on immigrants and tourists from China, the United States, and international students. Reporting on the survey noted that “discrimination and racism triggered by COVID-19 are likely to compound disproportionate economic and mental health impacts among minorities” and could also negatively affect the uptake of COVID-19 vaccination among these groups due to experiences of racism in health-care settings.ix Racism targeted at specific communities occurred during the Delta outbreak in August 2021 with anti-Asian sentiment directed towards Indian and South Asian communities. Early in this outbreak, the virus also affected a Pacific church community. Mainstream media identified the ethnicity of this community which lead to racist vilification of the Samoan community.x This is an example of the ‘othering’ of non-Pākehā communities that is at the core of racism. The swift lockdown in Aotearoa during the first wave of COVID-19 in March 2020, which was associated with international travel, initially prevented the virus from taking hold in vulnerable Māori and Pacific communities. However, the Government did not initially Te Kāhui Tika Tangata take the advice of Māori and Pacific health experts, or from its officials, that the health and communications response needed to target Māori and Pacific peoples first. This advice was based on the younger age profile of those communities, and the systemic racism in the health system that produces inequitable health outcomes for Māori and Pacific communities. Nor did the Government prioritise the vaccine roll-out for these groups in early 2021 as advised. Māori and Pacific community leaders were ready to respond and mobilise in their communities but needed funding and support to do so. The Government eventually provided additional funding and targeted support for Māori and Pacific health providers in August 2021 to boost vaccinations and prepare communities to combat COVID-19. Additionally, the Government met regularly with community leaders, although this occurred after communities had already mobilised to protect their own. Recalling the 1918 flu epidemic in which Māori died at seven times the rate of nonMāori, and the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic, where the death rate was 2.6 times, Māori mobilised early to respond to the pandemic.xi This quick action was an expression of tino rangatiratanga and of Māori people’s distrust in government, generated by the intergenerational experience of systemic racism. 28