Taika Waititi is making an impassioned plea on behalf of “a very important cause” in a tongue-in-cheek video for the Human Rights Commission’s latest campaign.
Fronting a black-and-white video in which he explains why “racism needs your help to survive,” the Kiwi director quips, “You don’t have to be a full-on racist, just being a tiny bit racist is enough.”
The campaign, which urges New Zealanders to ‘give nothing to racism’, draws attention to the many ways in which intolerance can spread and racism can become normalised.
“Being a bit racist is super easy,” Taika explains in the video. “A smile, a cheeky giggle, even a simple nod in agreement – it all adds up, and it gives others the message that it’s okay.”
Speaking about the new campaign, Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy explains, “How we treat other people will define what kind of country we become and what kind of person a New Zealander is.
“We live in one of the most ethnically diverse nations on the planet – as well as one of the most peaceful. Whether it stays that way will depend on us, every New Zealander has a role to play in our future. Racism starts small but so too does hope.”
Waititi isn’t the only famous Kiwi involved in the campaign. He’s joined by a slew of famous faces, including Sonny Bill Williams, Karen Walker, Miriama Kamo, Hayley Holt, Kieran Read, Sophie Pascoe and many more.
Find out more about the campaign here.
