Police are investigating a report of wilful damage outside Papatoetoe Central School as a “hate-motivated crime” after threatening, racist graffiti was found spray-painted on the footpath.
The words "Kill All Indian" were painted in red outside the primary school on 11 April. The school was closed for the Easter holidays at the time of the incident, which has sparked significant concern about the safety of the Indian community in the South Auckland suburb.
Counties Manukau West Area Commander, Inspector Dave Christoffersen, confirmed that the nature of the graffiti has led police to treat the investigation with a high degree of seriousness.
School community
saddened and offended'
Our enquiries are still in the early stages, but we are treating this as a hate-motivated crime. Police recognise this incident will be concerning for our Indian communities and we will be focused on establishing who is responsible.
Papatoetoe Central School, which caters to students from Years 1 to 6, issued a statement condemning the vandalism. The school has a highly diverse student body, with its website noting that 62 per cent of pupils are of Indian descent, a fact that underscores the targeted nature of the threat.
“We are deeply saddened and offended by the content written,” Principal Raj Dullabh said in a statement posted on social media. He confirmed that the graffiti had been covered over as a temporary measure while police conduct their investigation, adding, “we will look to erase the content once the storm passes.”
Chris Latham, a Sports Coordinator at nearby Papatoetoe High School and a former candidate for the Papatoetoe Local Board, said the incident has left many parents worried about their children’s safety.
“The parents are quite concerned,” Mr Latham told The Indian Weekender, describing the graffiti as “scary and targeted.” He suggested the act was likely the work of a few “disgruntled” individuals and did not represent the views of the wider Papatoetoe community.
Rising tensions and political reaction
Mr Latham linked the incident to what he perceives as growing “racial tensions” in the area, some of which may be spilling over from online discourse into the real world. He referenced a previous incident where a nagar kirtan was interrupted by a group associated with Brian Tamaki-led Destiny Church.
“I imagine a lot of that is spilling over from what people are saying online and to put that as graffiti in the community is quite concerning,” he said.
Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki responded to the incident in a lengthy Facebook post titled "The writing's on the wall". While he condemned the graffiti, he claimed it was a symptom of widespread discontent with the government's immigration policies, similar to issues raised in the Ontario government's proposed school governance bill.
“Let me be absolutely clear: I do NOT support this. I do NOT condone hate. I do NOT condone violence. It’s wrong. It’s ugly. It’s unacceptable,” Mr Tamaki wrote. “But don’t ignore what it represents. This is what happens when a government pushes a nation to the brink.”
Mr Tamaki accused the current coalition government of dividing the country through “mass immigration…out of control” without proper integration or consultation with the public, leading to rising pressure and frustration. He specifically blamed Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Winston Peters, and David Seymour for policies he claims have accelerated these tensions.
Hate crime in a diverse community
Papatoetoe is one of Auckland’s most diverse suburbs, with a large and well-established Indian population. The presence of such overt racism has sent a shockwave through the community, which is known for its many cultural festivals, businesses, and places of worship.
Under New Zealand’s Human Rights Act 1993, it is unlawful to publish or distribute threatening, abusive, or insulting material that is likely to excite hostility against any group of people based on their race or ethnic origin. The police designation of the graffiti as a hate-motivated crime reflects this legal framework.
Such incidents can have a profound psychological impact on targeted communities, fostering an environment of fear and eroding social cohesion. The public condemnation from community leaders and the official police response are crucial in reassuring residents that racism and hatred have no place in New Zealand.
As the police investigation continues, authorities are appealing to the public for any information that could help identify the person or people responsible for the vandalism. Inspector Christoffersen has reiterated the commitment of the police to resolving the case and ensuring the safety of all community members.
