Staff at an Auckland private boys' school say they're appalled by comments of some former students about the racial make-up of the school.
Four members of the Dilworth Old Boys Association have been suspended by their peers for saying there's an ethnic imbalance.
They have denied their comments are racist and they're threatening legal action if they're not reinstated.
Dilworth students are of many different ethnic backgrounds but similar situations -- James Dilworth stipulated 110 years ago that the school would give scholarships to boys from underprivileged backgrounds, of any race.
But four members of the Old Boys Association believe the school is not honouring the founder's wishes, saying there is an ethnic imbalance.
"We met with these individuals probably about 4 or 5 times over a period of 5 years - we explained the Trust Board position which is that we are race blind -- that is a position that they seem to be unable to accept," Dilworth Trust Board chairman Jon Wain says.
A leaked Facebook post supporting the Old Boys' position says they have voiced their concerns. It reads: "quietly and respectfully, always mindful that there are those who would seek to portray their concerns as racism, but ultimately without any concessions by the Trust Board."
According to the school's figures Pasifika students make up 38 percent of the roll, Europeans 27.5 percent, Maori 24 percent and Asians 7.5 percent.
"There'd be something wrong if the school roll reflected the ethnic makeup reflected the whole of the country. The school roll should reflect more precisely the group who are struggling in our society," Principal Donald MacLean says.
The Council for the Old Boys Association suspended four members for voicing their race-related concerns. They hope to be reinstated at an AGM this weekend.
If not, they're threatening legal action.
The Old Boys Association has a set of rules they have to abide by -- the rules these four are said to have breached is being guilty of conduct derogatory to the character of a gentleman, or being prejudicial to the interests of the association. At least eight people have to vote to suspend the members and that's what's happened.
In an email to Newshub, one suspended member said: "as soon as anyone talks about ethnicity it seems the label 'racist' is not far behind. We are not racists but insist on a fairer distribution of the wealth of James Dilworth'.
The Trust has moved to distance itself from the comments.
Mr Wain says "we think it's appalling ...It's been very damaging for the Dilworth community so we are deeply disappointed.”
Current students see ethnicity as irrelevant.
Head Prefect Calvin Lee says "we have huge respect for each other - see each other's merits and don't go about our daily lives looking at what skin colour we are. "
Dilworth Trust says the school's selection process will not change.
Newshub.
