Criticism ‘Bollywood’ says Jones
Outspoken minister Shane Jones has doubled down after criticism from the Indian community for what have been called racist comments, saying it’s a “Bollywood overreaction”.
Members of the Indian community have called for Jones to be stood down or apologise after he criticised those unhappy that tighter visa requirements have made it difficult for people in arranged marriages to bring their spouses in New Zealand.
Jones had told RNZ people had “no legitimate expectations in my view to bring your whole village to New Zealand”. “If you don’t like it and you’re threatening to go home, then catch the next flight home,” he said.
Asked if he regretted his comments, he said he was being criticised by “activists” and denied the comments had been racist. “I am not going to have any migrant tell me as a mokopuna of Tai Tokerau, when my people have been here 1000 years, I’m not going to have an activist tell me I’m racist. Ever.
“I am a Ma¯ori, I am entitled to talk about these things. I have no influence over immigration policy.”
The Union Network of Migrants and the Waita¯kere Indian Association are among those who have criticised the New Zealand First MP.
Asked to respond to criticism his comments could stoke more of the kind of hatred that led to the Christchurch shootings, Jones said that was a “Bollywood overreaction”.
“I’m giving voice to the anxieties of hundreds of thousands of Kiwis.”
Opposition leader Simon Bridges described Jones’ comments as “entirely unacceptable”.
While Jones said changes to immigration had been made “as a Government”, the Labour Party has been distancing itself from his comments.
Immigration Minister Iain LeesGalloway said the Government was trying to work through the visa issue. Some Indians have left Labour.