June 28, 2022
Rant fails to dim Matariki shine
Auckland mayor Phil Goff says the city has been revelling in Matariki – with a notable exception.
He says people are pleased to celebrate something that is authentically Aoteaora, and have been embracing events such as street concerts and kite days.
There was one bum note as he walked with a group of Ngāti Whātua Ōrakei up Queen St on Friday night and was accosted by a man who went off on a racist tirade.
“I was so angry you just didn’t know what to do, you wanted to grab him by the scruff of his neck and tell him to come into the 21st century. I looked at the folks around me and I was shocked and they were less shocked and maybe that’s because they have had to experience that in a way I have never had to experience it before but that was the exception to the rule. The rule was people from all parts of our community right across Tamaki Makaurau were out there celebrating and having a great time so let’s do it again next year,’ Mr Goff says.