The desecration of Jewish graves in Dunedin was ''gutless, shameful and ignorant'', Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy says.
Yesterday Dunedin detectives examined the damage to Jewish gravestones in the Southern Cemetery.
One headstone was spray-painted with a swastika and two other headstones in the Jewish quarter were pushed over.
Police were treating the incidents as serious criminal damage and appealed for information from the public.
The swastika is believed to have appeared on Saturday night and the damage to other gravestones probably occurred over the past week, police said.
Dame Susan urged anyone with information about the offenders to contact police.
''It's up to everyday Kiwis to decide what kind of country we live in: it's up to us to let hatemongers know we won't ignore them and we won't stand by,'' she said.
''Please dob these people in.''
Minister for Ethnic Communities Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga said he was extremely concerned to hear of the attacks.
''We are lucky to live in a country that celebrates diversity and it is illegal to discriminate against anybody because of their ethnicity or religion. New Zealand is a society that values peace, diversity and tolerance.''
Anyone with information was urged to contact Detective Dave Checketts on 471-4800, or provide information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.
