Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Police have launched an investigation after a threatening graffiti was found outside a school in the Auckland suburb of Papatoetoe.
The message, which incited violence against the Indian community, was first spotted on Saturday near Papatoetoe Central School by nearby residents, who alerted police.
The graffiti on the footpath near a gate has since been covered.
In a Facebook post, principal Raj Dullabh said the school was “deeply saddened and offended” by the message and confirmed it had been removed.
In a statement late Monday afternoon, the Papatoetoe Central School Board said it was “deeply concerned by the discovery of hateful, racially targeted graffiti near the school”.
“We unequivocally condemn this behaviour,” the statement said. “Racism, hate and discrimination have no place in our school or wider community.
“The safety, well-being and sense of belonging of our students, staff and whānau is our highest priority. We want to be clear that everyone in our school community deserves to feel safe, respected and supported.”
The board recognised that incidents such as this could be distressing, particularly for those who may be targeted.
It said support was available, and encouraged anyone affected to reach out to the school directly.
Police said they were investigating the incident.
“Our enquiries are still in the early stages, but we are treating this as a hate-motivated crime,” said Inspector Dave Christoffersen, commander of the Counties Manukau West Area.
“Police recognise this incident will be concerning for our Indian communities and we will be focused on establishing who is responsible.”
Papatoetoe resident Harpal Singh Lohi
Photo: Supplied
Harpal Singh Lohi, who has lived in Papatoetoe for 36 years, said he had never seen anything like it.
“That sort of behaviour is not acceptable,” Lohi said.
“Our kids learn together, it doesn’t matter which nationality they belong to. They’re getting their education and when you write that sort of message in front of the school gate, that is not acceptable at all.”
Lohi had spoken to parents who were now worried about sending their children back to school after the holidays finished.
“My sister-in-law’s child goes to the school and they’re very worried,” he said.
He said some children were particularly sensitive and messages like that could have a lasting impact.
Business owner Kunal Bhalla said the graffiti’s threatening message created “fear and anxiety”.
Photo: RNZ / Blessen Tom
Property developer and business owner Kunal Bhalla also raised concerns about the graffiti.
“To have such a hateful and violent message written outside a school, especially where children come every day, is completely unacceptable,” Bhalla said.
“It goes beyond vandalism and creates so much fear and anxiety.”
Bhalla, a member of the Papatoetoe Ōtara Action Team who failed to win a seat on the board in the rerun local body election, said the Indian community would not take the matter lightly.
“We are prepared to take it to the highest levels so that this does not happen again to any school, to any Indian, or any child from our community or any other community,” he said.
Manukau Ward councillor Alf Filipaina told RNZ the person responsible should be held accountable and said the wider South Auckland community stood with Indian households.
“I’m worried,” Filipaina said. “This never is anything that should be in our community, so whoever has put these words in front of the school, I hope they get caught and they get named because it’s just disgusting.”
Alf Filipaina is councillor for Manukau Ward at Auckland Council.
Photo: Auckland Council
Filipaina said there was no place for hate in Papatoetoe, and he had not seen racial slurs such as this in South Auckland in more than two decades as a councillor.
“You are not alone,” he said, referring to the Indian community.
“There are people around you to support you and please contact the police if you have any information.”
Race Relations Commissioner Melissa Derby, said she had been seeing increasing anti-migrant rhetoric, including towards the country’s Indian community.
“I know from my engagements with many ethnic communities the fear these messages generate for people,” Derby said.
“Regarding this particular incident, I am deeply concerned about the violent racist rhetoric and its impact on community members’ sense of safety and belonging. … Everyone should be able to live in their community, work or attend a school in this country free from racial harassment and discrimination.”
Panmure-Ōtāhuhu MP Jenny Salesa, who is also Labour’s ethnic communities spokesperson, welcomed the swift response from residents and police in reporting and removing the graffiti.
“The distress caused by this message is real especially for our Indian families, parents and students who have over many decades contributed so much to the life of our beloved Papatoetoe, and indeed our country overall,” Salesa said.
“Threats of violence and race-based vandalism has no place here.”
RNZ has approached Ethnic Communities Minister Mark Mitchell for comment.