HERALD ON SUNDAY 4 MAY 2014: AUCKLAND COUNCIL SURVEY ON ATTITUDES TO ASIANS

AUCKLANDERS shocked by questionnaire on attitudes to Asians: A "racist" Auckland Council survey that asked residents to rate their feelings towards Asians has been scrapped after widespread condemnation. The survey was this week sent to 20,000 residents in two of Auckland's most ethnically diverse suburbs, Balmoral and Northcote, and claimed to be intended to improve shopping precincts in those areas. Locals were asked how they felt — from "very cold" to "very warm" — towards ethnic groups including Pakeha, Chinese, Indian, Korean, and "other Asian" people. The survey also asked people to say if their interactions with the ethnic groups were favourable or unfavourable; whether immigrants contributed to the economy; and if it was a good idea to have Asian businesses grouped together. The ethics-approved survey has been slammed as racist — and the council has apologised and pulled the survey. Ratepayers will foot the $18,000 bill for the botch-up. READ MORE AT: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11249115