Greater Wellington Regional Council said in a statement the incident was being investigated by the police. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Wellington's regional council has publicly backed a Pakistani family racially abused on a Metlink bus.
The Post reported the Sajid-Farid family was considering leaving the country after the mother and 10-year-old son were cursed at by a man who told them this was his country, and then followed them off the bus when it reached Karori.
Greater Wellington Regional Council said in a statement the incident was being investigated by the police.
Council chairperson Daran Ponter said he had assured the Islamic Circle of Aotearoa chairperson Dr Muhammad Arshad that the council had zero tolerance for Islamophobia and hate speech in all its forms.
"Behaviour of the type experienced has no place on Metlink services or in our communities. We have expressed deep regret to Dr Arshad and the Sajid-Farid whanau who were affected," Ponter said.
Metlink group manager Samantha Gain said the conditions of carriage prohibited language that caused offence to other passengers, and police were reviewing CCTV footage from the bus.
Council transport chairperson Thomas Nash said passengers should report accounts of hate speech to aid investigations.
"Everyone needs to be safe when using our public transport services. By contacting Metlink and the police, passengers can join our stand against Islamophobia and help make everyone feel safe and welcome onboard," Nash said.
Metlink advised passengers not to intervene in conflict if they felt unsafe and to call 111 or the Metlink Contact Centre on 0800 801 700.