A Wellington school has called police in after two instances of racist graffiti in the toilets.
Photo: 123RF
The vandalism targeting Pacific students at Wellington Girls' College has been removed, but some students are worried it will happen again.
The graffiti first appeared last Tuesday - the bathrooms were closed and the graffiti removed, only to reappear again yesterday.
It was a Pacific student who found the graffiti.
"Just seeing that, especially in the school environment where you're supposed to feel safe, like you just don't feel safe after that," she said.
"Just again yesterday, finding out that there was another one it's just even more heartbreaking ... they even had the courage to do it again."
Another Polynesian student said she was angry and sad about what had happened.
"We could feel there was some racist things going on at school, but seeing that, it actually just proved to us that it is true," she said.
"We are quite a minority at our school. It was quite hurtful."
It was not only Pacific students shocked by the behaviour - a Pākehā student said others in the school community shared their concerns.
"A lot of people are posting it on their Instagram stories just to say that WGC [Wellington Girls' College] ... we're not proud of it and this is not us. We don't accept it."
Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon said it was best for racism and bullying in schools to be dealt with immediately. His office received reports of incidents like this more often than he would like, but he said it could be the tip of the iceberg.
"There's a lot that actually doesn't go reported, mainly from Māori, Pacific and Asian people."
Foon said the commission was always keen to help, but schools often tried to deal with racism internally to protect their reputations.
"Our door is always open, they just need to let us in sometimes. We're here to help the teachers and have a chat to the students, and the board of trustees in terms of their responsibility."
Wellington Girls' acting principal Anna Wilson declined RNZ's requests for an interview, but in a letter sent to parents said she was disappointed by the comments in the graffiti - in what should be a safe space.
Wilson said affected students had been offered support, and the school was working with its board, Pacific leaders, the Ministry of Education, and the police.
Wellington Girls' College said it was "shocked" and would not tolerate racist, sexist or discriminatory behaviour.
WGC acting board chair Aedeen Boadita-Cormican said the school was focusing on the safety of its students and staff, which was top priority.
"We want our students and staff to know, and to see from our actions that we value, recognise and affirm their identities, languages, religion and culture. Above all, we want everyone in our community to feel welcome, safe, and included in our school."
The school has asked for any parents or caregivers concerned about their child's safety and wellbeing to get in touch with the school.
But Pacific students at the school said more should have been done to protect them.
"It was a bit slow moving last week to get the police involved," one said.
Another agreed: "I think that the higher-up people need to do better to be honest. It just seemed like ... they were just trying to hide it for the school's reputation".
Police confirmed they had been contacted and would be meeting with the school to discuss it further.