Maori Basketball Tournament: HRC hopes organisers will keep talking to affected parties

Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy hopes an issue over a Rotorua basketball tournament can be sorted out.

“I’m hoping organisers can keep talking with those affected so this can be sorted out because it’s the kids who are missing out,” said Dame Susan Devoy.

“Sports codes who wish to grow a sport and strengthen networks within ethnic communities aren’t new: the Warriors sponsor the Ethnic Rugby League competition and New Zealand’s Ethnic Football Festival is a nationwide tournament.”

“The Nga Hau E Wha Maori Squash tournament is also hugely popular, the biggest in New Zealand with players from all ethnic backgrounds welcome.”

Dame Susan says some who argue that Maori Basketball’s policy is one of apartheid are wrong.

“Apartheid was a historical, murderous system of racial oppression against non-white South Africans that pervaded every aspect of their lives: It’s incorrect and incredibly disrespectful to casually say that what is happening in Rotorua is apartheid: because it isn’t.”

Dame Susan is unable to make further comment at this time: “At this stage we have not received all the facts about this issue and the commission has not received a formal complaint from those affected.”

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