DPA/Wellington
A racist joke by a New Zealand parliamentarian on the campaign trail sparked condemnation yesterday, after he commented that “two Wongs don’t make a right.”
Winston Peters, leader of the New Zealand First party, made the comment at his election campaign launch late on Sunday, discussing the party’s policy to stop sales of property to non-resident foreigners.
He was responding to comments by the ruling National Party that the previous Labour Party government had also allowed sales of large tracts of land to foreigners.
“Just because your predecessor did it too does not make your actions sensible. As they say in Beijing, ‘two Wongs don’t make a right’,” Peters said.
The National Party’s Melissa Lee said yesterday Peters left a terrible xenophobic stench every time he opened his mouth.
Lee, New Zealand’s first Korea-born member of parliament, told Television New Zealand she was very disappointed.
“It is election year. Other minor parties have also come up with some xenophobic comments and it is not very helpful,” she said. “They are talking about not wanting Asian people here . it is an old story, he has done it before.”
Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy was also critical of Peters’ comments.
“Politicians making fun of an entire race of people isn’t new, but it’s disappointing and shameful New Zealand political leaders are still doing it in 2014,” she told media persons.
“Winston Peters needs to know he’s not funny. His outdated rhetoric belongs in New Zealand’s past: it has no place in New Zealand’s future.”
Peters told the New Zealand Herald after the campaign launch that his comment was not racist. “It’s called humour. I know that in Beijing they think it’s funny, and so do I,” he said.
Peters u2026 offensive comment
