Editorial: Peters' focus is off target

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has compared the country to an Orwellian state because he feels he is being censored for remarks on Chinese immigration to New Zealand.

He invoked George Orwell's 1984 in claiming his freedom of speech was being removed by the Race Relations Commissioner, Dame Susan Devoy, news media and others, in particular over his criticism of Chinese foreign investment and immigration.

Dame Susan, who became commissioner in March, said she would keep an eye on Mr Peters after his "Super City of Sin" speech in Auckland last month in which he claimed that Chinese were responsible for increasing gang-related crime and prostitution in Auckland.

Mr Peters stresses he is not against all trade with China nor was he against allowing skilled Chinese to enter the country.

But he is critical of New Zealand's fair trade deal because he felt it favoured China too heavily, and he was also concerned about Chinese investment in forests, farms and factories, fast-tracked visas for tourists and students, and property speculation in Auckland.

I don't intend to traverse Mr Peter's statements about the free trade deal, other than to say it is an important issue that should be up for debate.

You do, however, have to question how he has broached the topic.

His statements can be interpreted as divisive and he favours scaremongering over reasoned discussion. This is why he has been put on notice.

Dame Susan was moderate in her response.

She initially declined to comment on his speech but, as pressure mounted, she indicated that she would be forced to get involved if Mr Peters continued his "tirade" against the Chinese community.

She said it was "a broader human rights issue" if Mr Peters continued "to stigmatise one population" to win votes.

Mr Peters is right to focus on issues arising from the free trade deal, but any flaws in the agreement are not the fault of the Chinese community living in New Zealand.

The New Zealand Government must accept this responsibility and that is where he should direct his criticism.