Landlord's 'shocking' response to Māori prospective tenant

A Māori woman has been left shocked by a landlord's racist response to her enquiry about a room.

University of Waikato student Reremai Cameron contacted the landlord about a room after seeing a Trade Me ad, but the woman responded with a question about her race.

"Just reading your name, are you Maori?" the landlord asked.

"If so I hope you are aware the rent would only cover you and no friends or family to stay in the sleep out.

"We had a Māori in our home before whom had multiple family and friend visitors, that is something we will not tolerate."

Ms Cameron told Newshub it was pretty much the first interaction she had with the landlord, who also lives in the house.

She responded to say she did not want to live with somebody prejudiced.

She blocked the landlord straight away.

A text that says: "Just reading your name, are you Maori? If so I hope you are aware the rent would only cover you and no friends or family to stay in the sleep out. We had a Māori in our home before whom had multiple family and friend visitors, that is something we will not tolerate."
The text. Photo credit: Supplied/Reremai Cameron

"I was shocked that people were still like that," she told Newshub. "I've never had it put so bluntly, I would say." 

It's not the first time Trade Me listings have been accused of racism. An ad from July 2018 said applications from Indian people would not be accepted.

"We wont [sic] be able to accept people from India so don't waste your time guys," the listing read.

The original listing explained the tenants did not want Indian flatmates because they "don't like curry", Stuff reported at the time.

Newshub has contacted the landlord Ms Cameron spoke to for comment, but is yet to receive a response.

Newshub.