Auckland University says claims of widespread white supremacist groups on campus 'utter nonsense'

April 12, 2019

1 NEWS has spoken with a group who say they’re too scared to enter university grounds.

Auckland University says claims there are widespread white supremacist groups on campus is "utter nonsense".

The response comes after dozens of students told RNZ that they feel unsafe at Auckland University because of an increasing number of people with extreme white supremacist views.

Auckland University Vice-Chancellor Stuart McCutcheon released a statement on the issue this afternoon.

But multiple students have told 1 NEWS they’re suspending their study due to increasing white nationalist activity.

"We are currently dealing with two separate issues confined to one faculty and involving a small group of students, that is being conflated by social media and a naturally enhanced sensitivity following the Christchurch mosque attacks.

"There is absolutely no evidence of an increasing problem and where concerns are raised we act quickly to ensure student and staff safety. 

"Of course, I am sorry that anyone feels threatened or unsafe. We do not condone any sort of harassment and we will always act," he says.

Reports of fascist graffiti and posters at the university had been investigated by staff Vice-Chancellor McCutcheon says, but some examples posted on Twitter recently "date back at least two years."

"It is standard practice that all graffiti is removed by security as soon as they become aware of it."

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