Walker criticised over ‘racist’ release

WELLINGTON: National Party leader Todd Muller says he has expressed his disappointment to his MP Hamish Walker for a press release slammed as racist.

The CluthaSouthland MP sent a statement on Thursday saying up to 11,000 people from ‘‘India, Pakistan and Korea’’ could be heading to Dunedin, Invercargill and Queenstown for quarantine.

‘‘I’ve already had many calls, texts and emails from residents who do not want people in quarantine in Queenstown,’’ Mr Walker’s statement said.

Mr Walker did not include other countries in the statement, despite most returnees coming from Australia, and did not say the people were returning New Zealanders.

He wrote the statement in response to news the Government was assessing whether it was viable to set up quarantine facilities in Dunedin and Queenstown.

Mr Muller yesterday said he had spoken to Mr Walker about the statement.

‘‘I’ve expressed my disappointment and I certainly don’t condone what he said.’’

Mr Muller refused to answer questions about whether he thought the statement was racist and what his concerns were.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has also expressed her concern. When she was asked if the press release was racist, she said: ‘‘I certainly thought it was inappropriate’’.

‘‘We need to make sure that we are welcoming the return of our permanent residents and our Kiwi citizens. And the response I have had from a number of those housing them is that they see this as the return of their people and their communities, and we should treat it as such.’’

There were no new cases of Covid19 in New Zealand reported yesterday and 18 active cases.

The total number of confirmed cases remains at 1180, with confirmed and probable cases combined totalling 1530.