'It hurts us': Auckland’s Chinese community slam Peters’ ‘go back to your own country’ insult

Members of Auckland's Asian community have criticised Foreign Minister Winston Peters for telling a Chinese-born New Zealand MP to "go back to your own country" during a parliamentary debate.

Two international students told RNZ that Peters' response to heckling by Green MP Lawrence Xu-Nan on Wednesday left them feeling shocked and unwelcome in New Zealand.

Others said the language could deepen social divisions and undermine Asian New Zealanders' sense of belonging.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon criticised Peters on Thursday for making what he called "inappropriate, attention-seeking comments".

The Chinese Embassy in New Zealand has also raised concerns about Peters' remarks with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Kida Chang, a master's student at Auckland ICT Graduate School, said she was shocked by the comments and feared they could make international students question whether they were truly accepted in New Zealand.

"I can't believe that somebody like him [would] talk about ... Chinese people [and say they] should 'go back to your country'," Chang said.

"That's definitely rude and hurts. It hurts us. He shouldn't say anything like that - not just to Chinese people, [but] to all foreigners, [including international] students like us."

Chang said Peters' comments could deepen divisions within the community.

"For those of us who are currently international students and may eventually try to build a life in this country, hearing remarks like that makes us worried about whether we will be accepted," she said.

Another international student, Yuejun Chen, expressed similar concern.

Chen, who arrived in Auckland two months ago, said New Zealand's inclusive environment was a major reason she chose to study here.

However, she said Peters' remarks left her feeling angry and disrespected, noting that it could also undermine Asian New Zealanders' sense of belonging.

"When I first arrived in New Zealand, I felt that the social environment was inclusive and welcoming, and that people respected different cultures," Chen said.

"His remarks deny people's different identities, ethnic backgrounds and cultures, and could cause considerable dissatisfaction in society."

Chen said she believed Peters' comments did not reflect the values New Zealanders had long cherished.

Auckland resident Chrissy Scarfe described the remarks as "blatantly racist", adding that they did not represent all New Zealanders.

Scarfe said New Zealand, particularly in cities such as Auckland, had become increasingly diverse, and that telling migrants to "go home" was inappropriate.

"If they're living in New Zealand legally, then don't tell people to go home," she said.

Scarfe said she believed Peters was trying to win votes by appealing to certain voting groups.

She warned that such rhetoric could fuel hostility toward people from different cultural backgrounds and increase the risk of hate crime.

"It's divisive, and it's inciting people to take action that could turn into something violent," she said.

"He can't say things like that and expect that there's not going to be some New Zealanders that may take actions against the law. ... I think he's dicing with danger."

Vishal Rishi, chief executive at The Asian Network Incorporated, said it was upsetting that such remarks were becoming normalised as other politicians had made similar remarks in the past few months.

He said the Asian community should be valued and comments such as this weren't nice.

He encouraged ethnic communities to vote in the November election to ensure their voices were being heard.