The use of a blackface character in Christchurch St Nicholas Day celebrations has been defended by the Race Relations Commissioner.
Black Pete, who assists St Nick in handing out gifts, has been branded blatantly racist.
In Dutch folklore, St Nicholas travels once a year from Spain on a steamboat laden with presents. The appearance of his sidekick Black Pete derives from a 19th-century story by children's author Jan Schenkman that was illustrated with pictures of a dark-skinned Spanish Moor.
Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon said generally blackface characters are perceived to be slaves, but it's not the case with this particular tradition.
"Telling the stories from the Dutch perspective is very important for greater understanding," he told Newshub.
Foon said tradition and history is important.
"I think it's okay for it to be acknowledged and celebrated in New Zealand or any other part of the world.
"It's probably good for the Dutch people to explain the event itself."
Foon said tradition and history is important.
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"The more we understand each other's culture, the better our race relations and our harmonious community will be going forward into the future.
"You can't change culture just because someone doesn't like it, unless it was illegal or offensive.
"To some it would be [offensive] because they probably don't understand the origins of blackface, and all they see is slavery."
Black Pete has sparked intense discussion in recent years. Campaigners against racism say exposure to such imagery is hurtful to black people and damaging to children.
The UN has repeatedly called for any racist features to be eradicated from the pre-Christmas festivities but the Dutch government has so far declined to take a stance.
Major Dutch cities such as Amsterdam and Rotterdam and the national public broadcaster have decided to ditch blackface.
Christchurch Netherlands Society event manager Annie van der Dussen disputes claims Black Pete is racist.
"It's a tradition," she told Newshub. "It's nothing to do with what sort of background you're from.
"In the Netherlands, there are so many different nationalities."
She said people need to be more tolerant of other people's cultures, and the society is sticking with its tradition.
