Mark's remarks provoke local MPs

RON MARK: "Go back to Korea"

WAIRARAPA MPs Marama Fox and Alastair Scott were the first on their feet to condemn fellow Wairarapa list MP Ron Mark for his "Go back to Korea" speech in Parliament on Thursday, the transcript reveals.

New Zealand First MP Mr Mark's comment was directed at Korean-born National MP Melissa Lee, who has lived almost 30 years in New Zealand.

Ms Lee had spoken in support of the Shop Trading Hours Amendment Bill, which would give local government the option to allow Easter Sunday trading.

Mr Mark took exception to Ms Lee's speech, saying she had "told the House ... that we need to grow up in New Zealand".

"Well, I have got a short message, if you do not like New Zealand go back to Korea."

After some interruptions, including from Justice Minister Amy Adams, who said "racism and vitriol", Mr Mark continued, discussing religious holidays "in Korea, where Miss Lee comes from" - and India, drawing in National MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi. In response, Mr Bakshi said shops do open on religious holidays in India and told Ron Mark to "clarify yourself before you speak, and do not try to be racist".

After a brief speech from Green MP Mojo Mathers, the next two speakers were Mrs Fox, the Maori Party co-leader who is from Masterton, and Wairarapa MP Alastair Scott.

Mrs Fox said she had not intended to speak to the bill, "until I heard the member from New Zealand First deliver a borderline racial diatribe about the members of this House and their ability to make their vote".

"These members who come to Parliament do so because they have been voted in and are New Zealand citizens," Mrs Fox said.

"What I had to listen to was a personal attack based on someone's cultural, religious, and ethnic background and I object to that."

Mr Scott said he "would like to endorse the previous member's (Mrs Fox's) speech.

"I too was disgusted to hear the criticism of members in this House based on their religion, their colour, and the place where they were born," Mr Scott said.

"So that is very disappointing. The member has cast a shadow across his own party. He has done it to himself, and it reflects on only him."

Mr Scott said it was "ironic for an ex-mayor of Carterton" to be criticising the Bill, because he said it gives power to local government.

Mrs Fox said she would be voting against the Bill as a conscience vote.

Mr Mark said New Zealand First would "support it going to the select committee for a constructive debate and for a constructive analysis".