Just when we are hearing lovely stories of cooperation, kindness to neighbours and the elderly and random acts by locals leaving food and flowers on people’s doorsteps during the lockdown, we hear of a nasty, isolated outbreak of racism.
Editor Martin and I spoke to Rose, an intelligent and articulate woman, who told us she is proud to be Maori. She is a fluent speaker of te reo, a weaver and handcraft expert who loves nothing better than to teach her mokopuna Maori art and craft.
One of her near neighbours is on record as saying that Rose is a lovely neighbour who is a credit to Maoridom and her community.
Those who remember Ponsonby thirty or forty years ago will remember the very many Polynesian and Maori people who added colour, music and vibrancy to our community. They were largely pushed out by gentrification. Those who remain are like gold in our neighbourhood and we treasure their presence.
Ponsonby News is ashamed of this, hopefully, isolated outbreak and we wish Rose, her friends and her family all the aroha we can muster.
Kia kaha, Rose Greaves. (John Elliott)