New Zealand First leader Winston Peters is not welcome in Christchurch after his attack on the city's Somali community, Mayor Garry Moore said yesterday.
Mr Peters called on the Government yesterday to send feuding factions of Christchurch's Somali community back to their homeland.
He was responding to a newspaper report that police were investigating Somali attacks on other Somalis' cars in a feud that possibly related to leadership tensions within the city's 400-strong community.
If they were having problems adjusting to living here "the most humane course of action" would be to send them home with funds to help them make a fresh start, Mr Peters said.
Patrick O'Connor, director of multi-cultural learning centre Peeto, who has been helping opposing Somali factions, suggested Mr Peters meet the Christchurch community to debate refugee and migrant issues.
But Mr Moore said the MP was the "last person we need in this city".
"I wouldn't be seen dead in a hall with Winston Peters. We have many issues to discuss and I'm particularly keen to discuss immigration in a wholesome way but I consider his technique neither wholesome nor helpful.
"I recommend he stay in Tauranga," the Mayor said.
"Politicians who play to people's fears and don't show leadership where communities need it are engaging in toxic politics."
Christchurch MP Tim Barnett also denounced Mr Peters' comments.
"When a senior politician condemns a whole community...because some cars have been scratched, there is only one word for that and it's racism.
"It shows self-righteousness and a total disregard for the reasons why Somalis are here and the nature of their society."
The Somali community, which is made up of 13 clans in Christchurch, had come from refugee camps, a civil war, and a country that after 12 years still did not have a functional government, Mr Barnett said.
"They have dealt with the tensions they have brought with them internally and quietly and occasionally that has spilt into something more overt but that's all that's happened."
But Mr Peters said those problems demonstrated growing divisions in New Zealand.
"We have imported civil war and ethnic strife that now threatens law-abiding New Zealanders," he said. "We have enough problems of our own without importing the hatred and blind prejudices of other cultures.
"There is no room for ethnic violence in New Zealand."
Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres was briefed on the situation this week and said he was encouraged by the efforts being made within the Somali community and by Christchurch community workers to address the underlying issues.
He said the refugees had been through traumatic situations that were bound to place continuing pressures on victims.
"Let's recognise both the difficulties refugees face and the long-term success that has been achieved with earlier refugee groups, and have some confidence in the steps being taken to address these issues," Mr de Bres said.
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