We’ve gathered this advice from multiple sources (New Zealand and internationally), which are all referenced.

RESPONDING TO RACISM

Be an upstander

Given the everyday nature of a lot of racism, action by ordinary people, especially those who witness racism, plays an important role in anti-racism.

Standing up to racism can be a powerful sign of your support, even though it can be uncomfortable. Often people don’t respond because they’re afraid of becoming the target of abuse themselves. Here are some tips for you.

• Before you respond, always assess the situation and never put yourself at risk

• Racist behaviour often takes place in public so if it feels safe to and you want to respond, you could say something as simple as “Why don’t you just leave him/her alone?”

• People who experience abuse may feel alone so showing your support for the victim can make the perpetrator think about their actions and show them that their behaviour is not acceptable

• If you notice racism being directed towards a colleague, teammate or someone in the classroom say something. If you can’t say anything in the moment offer to accompany them to make a complaint. Most schools, workplaces and sports clubs have policies for dealing with bullying and harassment.

If you don’t feel safe to say something, you can still help!

• Be kind. Go and stand or sit with the target of abuse and check if they’re ok

• Seek help from someone responsible so if you're on public transport this could be the driver or platform security, if you’re in a bar or club call security or tell a bartender and they can call security for you

• If you think that you or somebody else is in danger call the police on 111.

Be an ally

• Promote diverse voices #PassTheMic

• Be ok with not always being part of the conversation. #PassTheMic

• Be there for the good times and the bad

• Say something when you hear someone say inappropriate things about people from migrant and former refugee backgrounds

• Check with people from migrant and former refugee backgrounds that you are heading in the right direction

• Understand that people from migrant and former refugee backgrounds are not all the same.

Have you spotted racist content online? If so, here’s what you can do:

• Social media (e.g. Facebook, Twitter and YouTube) and other online platforms can commonly become a hotbed for racism but you can disrupt this narrative by reporting the post to the platform. Remember Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube all have policies on hate speech so get in touch with them directly if you have to.

• If the conversation online is extreme, you can report it to New Zealand Human Rights Commission or the NZ Police.

Other helpful resources

If racism is affecting your mental health:

• The Ministry of Health has mental health and wellbeing resources to support you

• 1737 – Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor. 

• Lifeline – 0800 543 354 or free text 4357 (HELP)

• Youthline – 0800 376 633 or free text 234

• Samaritans – 0800 726 666

If you’re experiencing online bullying, abuse or harassment based on your colour, race, ethnicity or nationality:

• Netsafe have a free and confidential service to help.

If you want to report racism, get in touch with:

• NZ Police on 111

• Call the Human Rights Commission to report a human rights complaint – 0800 496 877

• Be an upstander – Adapted from NZ Human Rights Commission Responding to Racism resource page

• If you don’t feel safe to say something – Adapted from NZ Human Rights Commission Responding to Racism resource page