21 Feb 2009

Asians seen by NZers as being the most discriminated group

8:54 pm on 21 February 2009

A national survey has found that Asian people are perceived as the country's most discriminated-against group.

The Discrimination chapter of the annual Race Relations Report was released in Auckland on Saturday.

The Human Rights Commission says nearly three-quarters of its survey respondents believe Asians experience a "great deal" or "some" discrimination.

The report also recounts racially motivated crimes, including the trial last year of the man who killed Korean backpacker Jae Hyeon Kim in 2003.

The Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres said the police should collect data about complaints, prosecutions and convictions in line with United Nations advice.

Police National Headquarters says it's aware of the comments in the report and will respond once it has fully considered the details.