Residents spoke to the Otago Daily Times anonymously about their thoughts on community board chairman Barry Williams’ recent controversy.
Some of them said Middlemarch was a small town and they did not want to have "targets on their backs" for speaking out.
However, their opinions ranged from thinking it was not a big issue to wanting Mr Williams to resign.
One resident who had known Mr Williams from high school said they thought he had been misunderstood.
"I like Bazza. I went to school with Barry. He’s a good guy and can be taken the wrong way very easily.
"I wouldn’t go against him or for him. [I’ll] stay neutral."
Another resident said the incident happened outside community board time and it had been "blown out of proportion".
"It wasn’t in the community board meeting so I don’t think there is a reason for him to resign for that."
On the other hand, a resident said the incident was disgusting and there should be consequences.
"I guess I’m shocked that there’s been this comment made about a non-European person in our community.
"I think it’s awful."
They said Mr Williams should definitely resign from the chairman’s position but his position on the board was still up for debate.
"I’d say he should go. It’s a matter of principle and I think he should resign.
"[I’m] not saying he should resign from the whole community board, but as the chairman he should resign."
