Holmes a racist, one of many, Turia says

11.30am

Broadcaster Paul Holmes is a racist and his apology for his "cheeky darkie" comments does not alter that, Associate Maori Affairs Minister Tariana Turia says.

"Racism is a form of violence and it's not okay," she told National Radio today.

"People are really tired of high-profile people thinking that they can make racist comments and get away with it by just saying 'sorry I'm not normally a racist'."

New Zealand had to learn to know and condemn racism when it saw it, rather than simply accept it, she said.

An apology by Holmes did not excuse him calling United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan a "cheeky darkie", she said.

"I don't think there is an excuse for racism, absolutely not," she said.

"A lot of people who have worked extremely hard in this country to rid us of the racism that exists would be astounded that we would think that it's okay -- it's not okay."

Mrs Turia said she did not want to limit her comment to "just Paul Holmes. At the end of the day there are many Paul Holmes' in this country.

"We have got a huge issue in this country with racism, we bury it and pretend it isn't going on around us, but it is just beneath the surface."

TVNZ and others who employed Holmes had to understand that racism was not acceptable "in any form whatsoever", she said.

"If it's tolerated from Paul Holmes, then quite frankly it will be tolerated from anybody.

"It is intolerable, it is unacceptable, and I don't believe it should be just swept under the carpet."

A producer of TVNZ's Holmes show has resigned over the "darkie" comments and other staff are also believed to want off the programme.

Paul Yandall, 30, was the line-up producer for the evening current affairs show on TV One for the past two years.

Yandall, a Samoan, is believed to have discussed the comments with his family before telling his boss, executive producer Pip Keane, he could no longer work with Holmes and maintain his self-respect.

He said today he was still a TVNZ employee and could not comment without clearance from management.

"I'm still on the payroll; I'm still covered by their guidelines."

Holmes caused outrage during his radio breakfast show on NewstalkZB on Wednesday with his comments and saying: "We are not going to be told how to live by a Ghanaian".

He later apologised insisting he was not a racist, merely stupid on that occasion.

It is understood two other permanent staff have asked to be redeployed since the "darkie" comments.

Mr Yandall was one of two Polynesian journalists working permanently for Holmes until this month.

More than 50 "informal" complaints have been received by media watchdog the Broadcasting Standards Authority, which is unlikely to consider the matter until its January meeting.

The authority has the power to direct the broadcaster to publish a statement, pay costs of up to $5000 to the Crown, and in the most serious cases, direct a broadcaster to stop broadcasting, or stop advertising for up to 24 hours.

The level of protest about Holmes' comments is among the highest recorded by the authority.

But the complaints are classed as "informal" because a complaint must first be made to the broadcaster, who then has 20 working days to respond.

NewstalkZB general manager Bill Francis said no further action would be taken and the station was now following up complaints.

Holmes had "self-flagellated" himself over his comments.

"I am sorry if you were upset and I know some Maori people and Samoan people were upset and that really upsets me," he said.

"I understand some immigrants were hurt and offended and upset and I am sorry about that as well because it is not what I think."

Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres said complaints under the Human Rights Act needed to meet a very high threshold measured against the principle of freedom of expression.

The United Nations Association of New Zealand today said it was "disappointed" in Holmes' comments, saying a person in such an influential position should know better.

- NZPA