A British woman found guilty of racially aggravated public disorder after calling her New Zealand neighbour a “stupid, fat Australian” plans to appeal her fine.

The moral of the story is clear: New Zealanders do not have to like being called Australian, but that does not make anyone who calls you one a racist.

New Zealanders express support for the UK court ruling that found a woman, Petra Mills, guilty of racially aggravated public disorder after calling her NZ-born neighbour a “stupid fat Australian”.

A recent case in a UK magistrates court held calling someone a “stupid fat Australian” constituted racial abuse. PAUL BLEAKLEY argues that calling someone ‘Australian’ shouldn’t be considered a racial slur.