Christine posted about an unfortunate experience her young daughter had on a public bus in suburban Christchurch. It seems that xenophobia is alive and kicking – at least here in the Garden City.

My parents were immigrants to New Zealand. 50 years ago they were refugees from the Hungarian revolution and came here to find a better life for them and their (future) children. So I can appreciate the sacrifice that immigrants make to secure a future for their families.

I also know that many immigrants (my parents included) avoid teaching their children their mother’s-tongue in an effort to increase the chances of them being “real kiwis” – remember real kiwis play Rugby, Drink Beer and don’t speak any language other than English.

Remember people – other than Tangata Whenua we’re all immigrants going back only a few short generations – if your self confidence is sufficiently low that you need to put someone else down to bolster yourself – maybe step back and think about what you’re doing.