When the Inuit and their mates stop killing seal pups then it might be possible to consider a name change, until then...

haha . . . have to add my two cents - even a few months after. The term is derogatory in Canada - FACT! She was simply stating this. I have met many NZ'ers and based on how sensitive most are to Maori issues you would think there would be more understanding.

The best is how Cadbury says that the majority of our consumers did not find the term offensive - duhhhh! That is because they do not know! Yes there is a team in Canada called the Eskimos . . . do not think that debate has not happened over the renaming of that team. It would be like Canadians having an "NZ Indian" lolly with a bunch of facial tattoos to get a "concept" of the Maori.

She is trying to educate you NZ'ers - do not get so offended - especially for a mulitimillion dollar company marketing scheme.

As Canadians go, I saw as much of NZ as was reasonably possible in 3 months in 2004. I had been doing a similar tour of Australia for the past 3.5 months. BUT WHEN I WAS IN NZ: The Eskimo Lolly I did not even notice. On top of this I did the Cadbury Factory Tour 2x at least. I have to side with Cadbury on this: there is no negative connotation to Eskimo in NZ. But alas, that is not the problem. Kiwis are as ignorant of Canada as Canadians are of NZ: 1. TVNZ 7 does not run newscasts from CBC Newsworld or CTV Newsnet (albeit the 2nd has had a name change). 2. Radio NZ does not run any newscasts from Radio Canada International or CBC Radio. 3. CBC nor CTV in Canada has ever run Shortland Street. 4. CBC Newsworld does not run a bi-weekly news summary of NZ news. 5. Iconic Canadian telly, like "Ed The Sock" or "Red Green Show" are mostly unknown in NZ. 6. NOT A SINGLE CONFECTIONARY SHOP, NOT EVEN IN CHCH / WELLINGTON / AUCKLAND AIRPORT OFFERED "NANAIMO BARS"... 7. The Lolly Cake is totally unknown in Canada, and that is really sad as it would be nice in the Summers for the Athletic / Industrial set. 8. I may have been the only Canadian to visit the Auckland display of NZ's industrial prowess -- a mini Expo -- related or run by your Trade and Industry Dept for overseas buyers that are resident in Auckland for biz. A CANADA EXPERT I have a Canadian Studies degree from a US University, so if STUFF want to email interview -- there are about 14 NZ newsworthy news stories waiting to be told...

While it is good for NZers to learn that the term can be a racist one in North America, this woman needs to learn that in NZ it has no such connotation and applies to simply a concept. Interestingly, even in parts of the USA and Canada, many of the Aboriginal/First Nations people refer to themselves as 'Indian', commonly thought to be an offensive term. It goes to show that context MUST be taken into account when words are used. If someone offered her a bag of these and said 'here go eat yourself' that would obviously be offensive. I doubt she experienced any offense or intolerance from kiwis prior to stirring up this fuss.

I agree she is taking the wrong angle in trying to make a stand, however valid it might be.

At least this whole fuss is putting the term in the spotlight and while we may continue to indulge in a puffy marshmallow treat, we are unlikely to ever call a person by the same name!

I've recently returned back to NZ having lived overseas for more than 9 years and it is apparent to me that a significant portion of the population will not tolerate someone outside NZ challenging their ideas. They are usually met with a bitter 'If you don't like then go home'. I guess it's always been like this but I just never noticed before living elsewhere. It's time to stop being so precious and insecure, we have our good points and our bad points, just like everyone else.

Of course, if inuit people were to sell and market "maori" lollies shaped like grass-skirted cannibals, NZ would be up in arms about it!

I also recall the public outrage when "maori mix" cigarettes were found on sale in Israel. NZ demands that other countries respect Maori culture, but dosen't see a need to respect the native cultures of other countries.

NZer's are hypocrites.

She doesnt relise how out of line she is, there was a eskimo on 3 news and he had no issue what so ever said she was being silly really, The end.

I eat jelly babies. It doesn't mean that I like to bite small children. Its just confectionary. It was not created with the specific purpose of being racist. If you don't like it, how about you don't buy it! All she has done is draw attention to a sweet which I am now going to buy just to spite her.

I find it rather a strange coincidence that Ms parsons should make such a silly comment whilst in New Zealand and not her home country. Sounds like one of our home bred PC types has put her up to it. She is after all, in the political correctness capital of the world. Pandering to this type of nonsense only encourages further madness from similar minded morons. We have had more than enough of this political correctness rubbish in this country. Its time to start living in reality and getting ahead in the world. That reminds me... I need to buy another box of eskimo pies before the weekend.