Jeremy Wells' 'Like Mike' skit airs on the Radio Hauraki breakfast.
Jeremy Wells' 'Like Mike' skit airs on the Radio Hauraki breakfast.
A Jeremy Wells parody of Mike Hosking in which he made comments about Maori women who were "free and easy with their affections'' and used "in-breds" to describe Stewart Islanders has been ruled acceptable by the Broadcasing Standards Authority.
Karaitiana Taiuru complained to the authority about Wells' Like Mike skitmade on the Radio Hauraki breakfast show during the visit of Prince Harry in May, saying it was racist, offensive, and degraded Maori and Stewart Islanders.
Wells' Hosking monologue included the following lines: • "I can't condone all this Māori carry-on. To me, it's embarrassing ... '' • "Harry has as much business performing the haka as the Queen has in visiting Mermaids [the strip club].'' • It's the same old story every visit...rock star arrives, some Māoris make them pick up a leaf while they're threatening them with a stick, irresponsibly force them to un-hygienically press noses during the cold and flu season, and the latest folly, join in an ancient dance which means nothing to them.' • "Believe me, I love Maoris as much as the next Christchurch ex-pat, but I prefer Maoris to keep to themselves, contained within marae, rural rugby clubs or on-stage cultural performances in Rotorua hotels coinciding with a hangi buffet". • "Maoris are loose units...they're often tattooed, the women smoke too much and are free and easy with their affections' • "The world's media are watching us this week. As right-thinking New Zealanders we should be asking, 'Is this the image we want to convey to the world?'" • "[Prince Harry] cavorted with some in-breds at the bottom of the South Island''.
In not upholding Mr Taiuru's complaint, the BSA said the item was clearly poking fun at people who hold extreme right-wing views.
"The item was clearly satirical and intended to be humorous, and was consistent with audience expectations of the programme and the radio station. As satire, the item did not encourage discrimination against, or denigration of, Maori or Stewart Islanders and this form of speech is a legitimate and important exercise of the right to freedom of expression."
