Summarised by Centrist
Race Relations Commissioner Melissa Derby has condemned the use of racially tiered ticket pricing at a Christchurch music event, stating, “I want to also say, unequivocally, that racism against any group in this country is something that will not be tolerated.”
The event, organised by Browntown and supported with public funding, offered discounted tickets to Māori and Pasifika attendees, sparking a backlash over whether such policies promote division rather than unity.
“We are here to protect the rights of everybody in this country,” she stated, rejecting the idea of special treatment for select groups.
The incident raises debate about the broader definition of racism and fairness in New Zealand.
Critics point to examples like the Media Council’s 2023 ruling that Tusiata Avia’s poem, which fantasised about violence against Captain Cook and white men, was not racist because it was seen as “punching up” at a more powerful group.
Derby’s stance represents a potential shift from the Human Rights Commission’s previous approach, which some say leaned into identity politics and further polarised the country.
“Division and polarisation have been on the rise in recent years,” Derby noted, warning that such trends, if unchecked, could lead to harmful consequences.
