“You have to wonder if Mr de Bres actually has a secret agenda to deliberately sabotage race relations in this country,” Mr Alexander said.

“I fully support the right of anyone who wants to learn and use the Maori language to do just that – but, please, let us stop this incessant forcing of it down our throats.

“It is simply counter-productive. People have had enough of this preachy, ‘thou should…’ approach to the Maori language and other race issues in this country.

“If a business ever chooses to do this for commercial or social reasons, fine. But equally, they may wish to adopt a Chinese or Japanese name.

“We are a multi-cultural nation today, and frankly business is there to do business, not run flaky social agendas for the pleasure of Mr de Bres and his ilk,” he said.

Ends.