Street Beat: Cost of living, Violence against Asians
In response to the rise in the cost of living and the recent spate of violence in which are Asians are seemingly being targeted which motivated a 15,000 strong march for peace by south Auckland residents on Saturday, 5 July, Street Beat reporter Mele Tu’uholoaki asked young Maori and Pacific people what they thought. This is what she asked.
1) How has the rise in living costs affected you?
2) Do you think Asians are being targeted in recent violent attacks in south Auckland?
Name Tash Wikaira
Age 17
Gender Female
Study N.Z.S.T.T
Ethnicity Maori (Tainui & Ngapuhi)
Hometown Auckland
1) “I don’t get any tertiary help because I’m too young so I live off my parents. It doesn’t affect me so I’m all sweet. But for everybody else it sucks.”
2) “Yes, I feel sorry for them, because it’s like they’re getting picked on. But they’re getting targeted probably because they’re different and stand out heaps.”
Name Keke Luamanu
Age 18
Gender Female
Study N.Z.S.T.T
Ethnicity Samoan (Salelologa)
Hometown Mt Albert
1) “The increase in petrol costs has affected my family and how much we travel now.”
2) “Yes, but it’s not only them. Anyone who looks vulnerable will get targeted.”
Name Moana Ieremia
Age 27
Gender Female
Occupation Central City Job
Ethnicity Samoan (Samatau)
Hometown West Auckland
1) “It hasn’t affected me because I live at home. Even though I drive to work and petrol is higher I’m not affected by it.”
2) “No, because I think its a crime in general. It’s not really targeting a specific culture. If you’ve got what they want then you’ll be targeted.”
Name Jacob Krause
Age 18
Gender Male
Study AUT-Graphic Designer
Ethnicity Samoan (Vaimoso) German
Hometown Papatoetoe
1) “I get living costs allowance for studies but I guess it’s affecting everyone really. No one can escape it. You’ve just got to deal with it.”
2) “Yep and Nah. No because everyone gets robbed no matter what race you are. Yes, because Indians and Asians are portrayed as being easy to intimidate. But it also goes towards other ethnicities and depends on if you know them.”
Name Charlie Leger
Age 18
Gender Male
Study AUT- Sport & Recreation
Ethnicity Maori, Pakeha &Tongan
Hometown Mangere Bridge
1) “For me, my family needs petrol to get around and we can’t rely on public transport because of bad timing. The price of food is going up, so more of our money is going to petrol and less on our groceries. So we’re choosing to go with cheaper options in our family. But we’re moving to Australia for more opportunities.”
2) “Yep, I reckon they’re more vulnerable. People see them as having lots of money because many of them own businesses so they’re targeted.”
Name Tera Williamson
Age 36
Gender Female
Occupation Central Auckland Job
Ethnicity Cook Islands (Rakahanga)
Hometown North Shore
1) “It has significantly affected my family and the lifestyle we live. With a mortgage, a family to look after and cars to maintain, the increase in petrol is the biggest thing we’re dealing with at the moment. Now we’re just getting by.”
2) “Absolutely yes. Because Asians are portrayed as having money and Indians own many liquor stores and diaries.”
