Buddy system aimed at ending racism

By WAYNE THOMPSON

Northcote senior citizens will be encouraged to "buddy" with Chinese neighbours as part of moves to address concerns over racially motivated abuse and attacks in the North Shore suburb.

In October, Northcote Chinese told the Herald of 14 incidents, including a man aged 69 being hit by a road cone and teenage girls throwing eggs at a man aged 61. The Chinese Association said the attacks were happening almost every week.

Yesterday, Birkenhead Northcote community co-ordinator Jill Nerheny said moves were under way to break down barriers between elderly Chinese migrants and the community.

A Chinese-speaking resident would be hired for six weeks to visit Chinese residents and encourage their integration. In addition, she thought a buddy system would encourage senior citizens to befriend Chinese neighbours of similar age.

"I know a lot of older citizens who would absolutely enjoy passing on English language skills one-on-one, said Ms Nerheny.

"We need people to take them along to 60s Up, or Senior Net or walking groups, and go along to Tai Chi practice gatherings.

"We want to get them mixing with older New Zealanders. I don't want them sitting in their own little groupings and not mixing, I want them to be happy people."

Community board chair Jennifer Yorke said the board approved $5000 to hire someone to interpret and explain to the community and to relay their problems in detail.

She was pleased with progress made in getting the views of the Chinese community on a problem that she believed was due more to language and cultural differences than "Asian-bashing".

Ms Yorke said a possible breakthrough was the excellent response of the Asian community to a call for volunteers to man the Northcote community constable's office.

Their presence would help remove the fears of Chinese residents over reporting crime to the police.

Community constable Jo Managh said two Asian-speaking volunteers would be available in her office for a "couple of hours" a week.

This was in addition to Wednesday morning clinics introduced this month where she and police Asian liaison officer Raymond Wong were available to the community. The hope was that people would feel "a little closer" to police and more willing to report crimes as they happened.

Constable Managh hoped for a good turnout from the Asian community at a Neighbourhood Watch meeting next Monday at St Lukes Hall. Fliers printed in Korean, Cantonese and Mandarin had been distributed. Auckland Ethnic Council vice-president David Wong said a buddy system was an idea that merited discussion. He was sure of a willingness on both sides to talk about it in a comfortable cultural environment.

Retired truck driver Winston Tauteka, who is a volunteer welfare worker for the Returned Services Association in the area, said he thought the buddy idea would be well received.

"It's a darn good idea because they are inclined to keep to themselves so much. I feel sorry for them because they're on their own."

Mr Tauteka said he would be happy to teach English to Chinese.