Police are treating graffiti outside a Papatoetoe school targeting the Indian community as a hate-motivated crime.
Former Ōtara-Papatoetoe local board candidate Avinash Kaur posted a photo on social media of the tag she said was outside Papatoetoe Central School.
Kaur called the message "deeply disturbing and completely unacceptable".
"No child should feel unsafe going to school, and no community should have to live with this kind of hate," she said.
In a message posted to its Facebook page on Saturday, Papatoetoe Central School confirmed police were investigating an incident.
"We are deeply saddened and offended by the content written," principal Raj Dullabh noted.
"We ask that the community allow the police to continue their investigation, and that we remain calm during this process. The tagging has been covered, and we will look to erase the content once the storm passes. We thank you for your cooperation."
Police Inspector Dave Christoffersen said the graffiti was reported on Saturday evening.
"Our enquiries are still in the early stages, but we are treating this as a hate-motivated crime," Christoffersen said.
"Police recognise this incident will be concerning for our Indian communities and we will be focused on establishing who is responsible."
Christoffersen said police would like to hear from anyone who might have information about when the offending occurred, and who might be responsible.
People who could assist inquiries could provide information to police via 105, either by phone or online.
Information could also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers.
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