We owe it to the victims of the Christchurch mosque attacks to acknowledge racism is on the rise in New Zealand, Green MP Golriz Ghahraman said today.
Ms Gharaman arrived in Auckland as a refugee and was amazed at the welcome her family received in the ethnically diverse city.
However, she also told TVNZ1's Seven Sharp that racism needs to be addressed in the wake of Friday's tragic shootings that claimed 50 lives.
"Any of us in ethnic minority communities would also say that a little bit of racism is part of daily life and it has been on the rise.
"Since becoming a politician, I regularly receive threats of violence, including gun violence so it [the attack] really hit home to me," Ms Ghahraman said.
There are now calls to address the unease over a growing white supremacist and far-right movement.
When asked if she was surprised that such violence could take place in New Zealand, the Green MP replied in the affirmative.
"Most of us were shocked to the core by the level of violence, but the truth we owe the victims is to acknowledge that ethnic minority communities, especially Muslims, have been raising concerns about white supremacy for some time, so that wasn't a shock."
Ms Ghahraman has been moved by the support being given to the community after the attack.
"A lot of what we have been receiving has been incredibly useful and heartening," she said. "The outpouring of love has been perfect and breath-taking.
"Now the community needs a bit of space to grieve."
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