Workers happy complaint over racism settled

Two staff upset by a racist workplace notice say they are finally satisfied that their firm has dealt with the issue.

Norske Skog employees Rongo McDonald and Matekino Raerino turned to the Human Rights Commission for help because they were unhappy with their employer's response to their complaint about a document displayed in their Kawerau workplace in December.

The document, which made derogatory remarks about Maori land claims and suggested that Maori were lazy, dope-growing criminals, was circulated through the mill first by email and then as a hard-copy document.

Mrs Raerino said she and Mr McDonald had since met general manager Peter Chrisp and she was satisfied with the conclusion.

"A new notice has now been hung up on the noticeboard and a policy has been put into place," she said. "Rongo and I are very happy."

Mrs Raerino said that last week the offending document had again been pinned on the noticeboard but the shift manager on the paper machine where she worked had taken it down immediately and reported the incident.

She had been assured that racist comments made at work would no longer be tolerated.

Norske Skog external relations manager Chris Marjoribanks said he felt the company had done everything in its power to resolve the issue.

It had sent the Human Rights Commission a full summary of the way the issue had been handled, as requested.

"We are certainly pleased that there has been a favourable outcome," he said.

Human Rights Commission communications manager James Iliffe said the commission was still liaising with the two parties to see whether the complaint had been resolved.

"Resolving a complaint quickly and effectively is in everyone's best interest," he said. "It is very positive that the parties have met to discuss the issue and come up with positive solutions to prevent this from happening again."

- NZPA