Mocking of accent forces name change

Pansy Wong

National's Asian MP Pansy Wong has renamed her regular newsletter after her accent was mocked in Parliament last month.

Mrs Wong said that she would change the name of the newsletter from "What's going wONg" to "Pansyspeak".

She said supporters who appreciated her sense of humour suggested the original title, but it was no longer appropriate after MPs had mocked her accent.

Last month National accused Labour MPs of "racist behaviour" for talking and giggling while Mrs Wong asked questions in Parliament.

Immigration Minister David Cunliffe also appeared to mock Mrs Wong's accent, by recommending she "wead", rather than read, a particular document.

Mr Cunliffe later rang Mrs Wong to apologise and assure her that any mispronunciation of the word was inadvertent and not intended to mock her.

Mrs Wong said she accepted Mr Cunliffe's assurance.

"However, the main point of his phone call was to stress his concern that the Chinese community might take offence, never mind his fellow MP!"

Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen's behaviour was even less acceptable, she said.

Dr Cullen had told the House that Labour MPs' talking and giggling was due to Mrs Wong's accent.

When she later bumped into Dr Cullen in the Beehive he had attempted to justify Labour MPs' behaviour by saying National MPs were also enjoying a laugh at her expense.

"Whether this is true or not, the fact that Cullen seemed to think it's okay if others do disturbed me."

Mrs Wong said she was very proud of her ability to speak English, Mandarin and Cantonese and made no apologies for her accent.

She had therefore decided to rename her newsletter.

- NZPA