Cafe scolded over 'no burkas' sign - but the owner claims it's for safety after a MACHETE attack

A New Zealand cafe has landed in hot water after banning customers wearing burkas, but the owner claims it's a safety measure after a machete attack.

Coffee and Gems store, in New Zealand's Auckland, displayed a sign on the door reading 'No Burkas, No Hoodies, No Sunglasses, No Helmets'.

Auckland Auckland Councillor Cathy Casey took to social media to vent her outrage over the sign, before lodging a complaint with the Human Rights Commission.

The Albert-Eden-Roskill ward councillor told NZ Herald she believed the sign was discriminatory and illegal.

'It looks as though the business is basically flouting the Human Rights Act. I've checked the Act and it says you can't discriminate on the grounds of religion and the grounds of sex.'

She said she planned to contact the owner of the store, which sells coffee and second hand jewellery, as soon as they open after the Easter long weekend.

'If the Human Rights Commission rule that it's discriminatory then it is and it's kind of wider than just that one shop.'

Ms Casey's photograph of the store divided Facebook commenters, with some arguing it was discrimination but others claiming it was a safety measure.

The owner of the store, Llannys Burgess, told NZ Herald she put the sign up years ago after a man attacked a customer with a machete, leaving her fearing for her safety.

SOURCE