The Chinese Embassy in New Zealand has also raised concerns<\/a> about Peters’ remarks with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.<\/p>\n Kida Chang, a master’s student at Auckland ICT Graduate School, said she was shocked by the comments and feared they could make international students question whether they were truly accepted in New Zealand.<\/p>\n “I can’t believe that somebody like him [would] talk about … Chinese people [and say they] should ‘go back to your country’,” Chang said.<\/p>\n “That’s definitely rude and hurts. It hurts us. He shouldn’t say anything like that – not just to Chinese people, [but] to all foreigners, [including international] students like us.”<\/p>\n Chang said Peters’ comments could deepen divisions within the community.<\/p>\n “For those of us who are currently international students and may eventually try to build a life in this country, hearing remarks like that makes us worried about whether we will be accepted,” she said.<\/p>\n Yuejun Chen says Winston Peters’ remarks could undermine Asian New Zealanders’ sense of belonging.<\/p>\n RNZ \/ Yiting Lin<\/p>\n Another international student, Yuejun Chen, expressed similar concern.<\/p>\n Chen, who arrived in Auckland two months ago, said New Zealand’s inclusive environment was a major reason she chose to study here.<\/p>\n However, she said Peters’ remarks left her feeling angry and disrespected, noting that it could also undermine Asian New Zealanders’ sense of belonging.<\/p>\n “When I first arrived in New Zealand, I felt that the social environment was inclusive and welcoming, and that people respected different cultures,” Chen said.<\/p>\n “His remarks deny people’s different identities, ethnic backgrounds and cultures, and could cause considerable dissatisfaction in society.”<\/p>\n Chen said she believed Peters’ comments did not reflect the values New Zealanders had long cherished.<\/p>\n Auckland resident Chrissy Scarfe described the remarks as “blatantly racist”, adding that they did not represent all New Zealanders.<\/p>\n Scarfe said New Zealand, particularly in cities such as Auckland, had become increasingly diverse, and that telling migrants to “go home” was inappropriate.<\/p>\n “If they’re living in New Zealand legally, then don’t tell people to go home,” she said.<\/p>\n Auckland resident Chrissy Scarfe believes Winston Peters’ remarks do not represent all New Zealanders.<\/p>\n RNZ \/ Yiting Lin<\/p>\n Scarfe said she believed Peters was trying to win votes by appealing to certain voting groups.<\/p>\n She warned that such rhetoric could fuel hostility toward people from different cultural backgrounds and increase the risk of hate crime.<\/p>\n “It’s divisive, and it’s inciting people to take action that could turn into something violent,” she said.<\/p>\n “He can’t say things like that and expect that there’s not going to be some New Zealanders that may take actions against the law. … I think he’s dicing with danger.”<\/p>\n On Thursday, leaders of the country’s Asian community also condemned Peter’s remarks<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Yuejun](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4JKMGOG_02_social_final_00_00_52_00_Still001_jpg.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Chrissy](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4JKMGOG_02_social_final_00_00_00_00_Still002_jpg.jpeg\")
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