Indian man in New Zealand says he encountered blatant racism: Told to 'go back to where I came from'

A protester holds up a an anti-racism sign. (Representational)

A 29-year-old Indian man’s journey to New Zealand, initially filled with hopes of a fresh start and a welcoming multicultural environment, has been marred by unexpected challenges. In an anonymous Reddit post, he shares his struggles with racism and social exclusion, revealing a stark contrast to the idealised vision he held before moving. While he acknowledges the kindness of some locals, his experiences have often left him feeling like an outsider in a land he hoped would become his home.

The man has been living in the country for two years and despite encountering kindness from some locals, he has faced a barrage of racism, ranging from verbal abuse on the streets to exclusion in social settings and at work.

“From random strangers yelling stuff at me on the street to getting weird looks or rude comments at work because of my accent or appearance. Even in social settings, I feel like people avoid me, or I get treated differently. Sometimes it's subtle, like people talking over me or excluding me from conversations. Other times, it's blatant—like being told to ‘go back to where I came from’,” the Redditor wrote.

These experiences have left him grappling with feelings of isolation and alienation, despite his efforts to integrate by learning local slang and cultural nuances.

“I’m trying my best to integrate—learning the Kiwi slang, understanding the culture, and keeping an open mind. But there are moments when it gets exhausting. I never felt like an outsider growing up in India, but here, even after two years, I feel like I don’t fully belong,” he shared.

He asked for suggestions and solidarity from other users and ended his post saying: “It’s tough because I really want to make New Zealand my home, but there are days I wonder if I made the right choice.”

Unwelcome In New Zealand
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One commenter, a flight attendant, reflected on their own experiences with racism across different countries.

“I live in the UAE and it’s not much different. All I can advise you is that make your circle. Focus on work. Once you get slightly financially well off, you will feel the difference,” they wrote.

Another user, who had lived in Berlin, shared a similar experience, prompting them to leave.
“Faced the same overt and covert racism in Berlin. Left the place and came back home after a year. Couldn’t be bothered to deal with racism,” the user commented.

Another user, however, had a different experience.

“I found Berlin to be an open and welcoming city. My university professors & classmates, colleagues at 2 different jobs, waitresses, and supermarket staff were all cordial,” they wrote.

An Indian resident of Auckland echoed the original poster’s sentiments, stating that while New Zealanders may appear friendly, deeper social integration can be challenging due to established cliques and homogeneous social circles. “The average Kiwi friend circle is mostly made up of people they’ve known since high school,” they noted.

For many, the initial optimism of relocating to a new country can be overshadowed by the harsh realities of racism and social isolation.

Another Redditor said that while they too have been asked to ‘go back where they came from’, they have largely been unbothered. “I've definitely experienced isolated cases of racism and being told to go back where I came from but I have a pretty thick skin,” they wrote.