Armourguard is investigating a complaint about a security guard at an Auckland train station, who was heard stating loudly that he doesn’t like gay people, Maori and Pacific Islanders. Wellingtonian Peter Kelly has told GayNZ.com Daily News he heard the outburst while waiting for a train at Sylvia Park train station on Wednesday. “The lady [he was speaking to] said she didn't feel safe in Auckland anymore, to which the security guard replied for all at the station to hear – ‘it's all the Maoris and Pacific Islanders - not the Kiwis - they cause all the problems - I don't like the Maoris or Pacific Islanders, just the Kiwis, and I hate two groups of people - South Aucklanders and homosexuals - I hate homosexuals!’” Read: Guard's anti-gay, racist rant 'unacceptable' Kelly says he doesn’t have an issue with the security guard holding personal views, “but I have a huge issue with him airing them on a train platform where he’s in a position of responsibility. He’s effectively providing the security for the train station. That’s my big beef.” General Manager of Manned Services Mark O’Brien says the company takes all complaints it receives seriously "and has moved quickly to investigate alleged comments made by one of our security staff at the Sylvia Park train station". He adds, “we are currently investigating the matter and speaking to the guard concerned. “Armourguard does not condone any behaviour amongst its employees that could be viewed as offensive.”
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Friday, 16th January 2015 - 7:54am