Jenny Shipley’s Offensive Remarks Contextualised

Mrs Shipley made the offending comments during a heated speech on Tuesday over the Government's decision to grant Maori a special option in the radio frequency auction.

The opposition had called the move racially motivated. While debating whether the plan would help Maori to "close the gaps," (which include crime statistics), Mrs Shipley said: "Where's the 5 per cent discount for Pacific Island people if they are actually causing trouble as well.

"They climb in the windows of other New Zealanders at night. It's not only Maori."

After sustained criticism by Pacific Island Affairs Minister Mark Gosche and colleagues in the general debate, Mrs Shipley made a personal statement to the House yesterday.

Maori and Pacific Island groups remain unimpressed by her apology, which race relations councilliator Rajen Prasad attended.

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