UPDATED 3.45PM: Dame Susan Devoy claims a lot of Aucklanders of Asian descent no longer feel welcome in the city.

She believes Auckland Council is at risk of becoming out of touch with migrant communities.

She said the predominantly Pakeha councillors don't represent Auckland's population.

She told councillors their lack of diversity means they have to work harder to consult and engage with migrant communities.

Dame Susan says the council also needs to make sure it listens to the concerns of its Ethnic Peoples Advisory Panel.

 

Auckland councillors have met with the Race Relations Commissioner, Immigration New Zealand, police and group community groups this morning to discuss ways to address the city's growing multiculturalism.

Devoy took aim at what she called dog-whistle politics, making particular reference to recent statements over home owners with Chinese sounding surnames.

She noticed several instances of discrimination that she was horrified by. Devoy noted that Chinese people in particular were targeted.

Devoy asserted that the council needs to do more to engage with Asian communities, but admits the main problem comes from central government.

The Race Relations Commissioner also attacked government's refusal to increase the refugee quota from the 1987 level.

"In 1987, I was a world champion and Winston Peters was the Race Relations spokesperson for the National Party so that says that things can change and probably should," she said.

Groups have complained about a lack of funding and uncertainty about long-term funding to aid migrant and refugee communities. 

The Auckland Regional Migrant Services Charitable Trust said similarly multicultural cities in Australia and Canada have more service providers which have more staff and receive more funding.

Other organisations have raised concerns about a lack of recognition, and regulatory red tape causing delays to the building of social housing.