Minister for Women Julie Anne Genter is standing by a statement she made about older white men on company boards that sparked a Human Rights Commission complaint.
Speaking to students at Christchurch Cobham Intermediate School on Thursday, Ms Genter said older white men on company boards should move on to make way for younger, more diverse talent.
“If we’re going to improve the diversity of boards, then we will need some of the current positions vacated so there can be room for new diversity and talent,” the Green MP said.
Christchurch man John Stringer personally wrote to Ms Genter asking her to publicly retract her comments, and lodged a formal complaint with the Human Rights Commission.
He claimed Ms Genter’s statement was “sexist, ageist and racist, all in three words”.
Around 80 to 85 percent of New Zealand company board members are male. Ms Genter said she did not like that many of them are also “old white men in their 60s”.
Mr Stringer, a former Conservative Party board member who currently sits on the Papanui-Innes Community Board, says he was “surprised” by Ms Genter’s comments.
On Monday, Ms Genter’s office confirmed they had received Mr Stringer’s letter – but she stands by her initial remarks.
“That statement was that 81 percent of board members are male, that the majority of them are in their 60s and 70s, and that some will need to move on to allow for diversity and new talent.
“I agree with Simon Bridges…
