National leader looks to heal wounds at Diwali Festival
National leader Simon Bridges was out mending fences with the Indian community yesterday after his controversial race-based comments emerged.
Surrounded by the lights and colour of Auckland’s Diwali Festival celebrations, Bridges took the stage in front of hundreds gathered at the city’s Aotea Square in saris and kurtas to thank the Indian community for its contribution to New Zealand.
“It’s fantastic to be here today and I wish you all a very happy Diwali,” he said.
Bridges was criticised by Indian High Commissioner Sanjiv Kohli after an audio tape recorded secretly by rogue MP Jami-Lee Ross was released by Ross. The pair talked about potential National candidates.
“Two Chinese would be nice but then, you know, would it be one Chinese and one Filipino? Or, you know, what do we do?” Bridges said.
“Two Chinese would be more valuable than two Indians, I have to say”, Ross replied.
Yesterday Bridges said: “I think what the Indian community understands is National has been a trailblazer for ethnic communities in NZ in terms of our MPs.”
He said he had called the commissioner, and assured him that National recognised New Zealand’s multi-culturalism.
“As the face of New Zealand changes we want to represent that in our members of Parliament, “Bridges said.
Gurisman Mintu — a resident from Ross’ Botany electorate — was at the festival to see his two daughters perform on stage.
He said he believed Ross had political motives in mind when he recorded Bridges.
“Jami was actually trying to put words into his mouth — so it was kind of framed,” he said.