A Maori woman living in one of Aukland's most up-market suburbs has been told that her use of the indigenous language of te reo is "vile" and "disgusting", and that she is not welcome in the neighbourhood.
Per the NZ Herald, Rose Greaves has lived in Vermont St, Ponsonby, for over seven years, and during that time, she has been the target of repeated racial abuse.
The latest attack comes in the form of a letter she received just before quarantine from one of her neighbours telling her to do Ponsonby a favour and leave.
"To the female householder, I have been a resident at Vermont St in Ponsonby for 23 years," the letter reads. "Since the time that you have occupied the residence at Vermont St, you have caused myself and my neighbours a lot of upset, to say the least! The language and level of vulgar display of disgusting behaviour that you produce is absolutely vile [sic]."
"Not to mention the rubbish items you put in your front yard is pathetic and vile," the letter from the unidentified resident continued.
Speaking to TVNZ's Marae programme, Greaves explained that she often speaks in te reo to her grandchildren, as well as to friends and family.
Watch as quarantined neighbours start impromptu band in SpainShe said that she immediately screwed up the letter after receiving it, realising that the neighbour was attacking her cultural heritage. "My being Maori, my speaking Maori, my being very proud to be Maori – openly Maori – that’s who I am," she continued, disclosing some of the racist slurs she has endured while living in Ponsonby.
"I’ve lived here for over seven years and during that time, I’ve had threats – death threats – from the White Power to burn my house down with me in it. I’ve been called n***** monkey several times. So the letter is quite tame compared to those experiences I’ve had.
She is, however, adamant that she will not be leaving her home, and hopes that the individual will make an attempt to get to know her.
"I don’t want my mokopuna (grandchildren) to grow up and be whakamā (shamed or embarrassed) because of the colour of their skin. So I feel I have a responsibility to continue what I was taught by my kuia (elderly Maori women/relatives) – and that is to have love for everyone."
