I'm loving the new New Zealand.

The world is a much better place when I see it through the eyes of my children. They are largely unaffected by politics, although that is starting to change as their lives take shape. What I like the most, is that they are blind to race and ethnicity.They quite simply don't notice or even less- care about our differences. I wish all New Zealanders could be like them.

Good old xenophobic New Zealand. If you look or sound a little different, "you're not really one of us" seems to be the view of some talkbackers and social media hackers. So while many of us sports fans were celebrating the magnificence of Lydia Ko's achievement at the Evian Championship, others felt compelled to mention that she wasn't really a Kiwi having come here from Korea. Similar views have been expressed about Rotorua Boys High old boy Danny Lee who came here at the age of eight. I can only imagine the comments that will come when he appears at the Presidents Cup in Korea.

New Zealand is a baby country. We're still on the training wheels. My loose knowledge of my own family tree has Kiwi connections at every angle going back to the 1800s. I would be in a small minority. There aren't too many here going back more than three generations. This country is still building it's population and finding it's feet, and our isolation is both a blessing and a curse. It protects us from some of the unpleasantness other countries have to deal with, but it also gives many a condescending smugness.

I've noted a few people suggesting that Ko isn't really Kiwi enough to deserve another Halberg- Lisa Carrington and Valerie Adams apparently more fitting candidates. Hmm- Valerie is apparently OK despite her English Dad and Tongan Mum. How many complaints were there when former Dane Linda Vilumsen rode to gold for New Zealand at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow?

And what of our Silver Ferns? There are traditionally many different ethnic backgrounds in our national netball side. Former South African reps Irene van Dyke and Leana De Bruin, ex Fiji Captain Vilimaina Davu, former Samoa rep Cathrine Latu to name just a few in recent times.

And while we're looking at team sports- best we disqualify the All Blacks from the Rugby World Cup now. Look at the backgrounds in this mob!

Of course that's absolute nonsense. What a dull bland country New Zealand would be if we were all the same - very vanilla and beige! With Lydia Ko and Danny Lee driving kiwi sport ahead every weekend, I no longer subscribe to the "Bob Geldof- Don't Like Monday's" start to the week. Lots more of the same please!

Is it racism? Of course it is, but then I'd like to think it's coming from a vocal minority. It seems to me that until we see some Asian faces in the Silver Ferns and the All Blacks, acceptance through the eyes of some dinosaurs will take a little longer to come.

@BrianAshby2