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AUCKLAND- A pro-white opposition politician sparked uproar here Monday after claiming that an influx of Asian migrants into New Zealand would eventually lead to Balkans-style religious and ethnic conflict.

Winston Peters, who despite being an indigenous Maori leads the conservative pro-white New Zealand First party that has 13 seats in the 120-seat Parliament, was unrepentant over his claims made at his party' congress this weekend.

"The ultimate destination looks very much like the hotbeds of ethnic and religious conflict - places such as Kosovo, Sri Lanka and Northern Ireland," said Peters, who advocates limiting immigration to migrants from countries with traditional ties to New Zealand,, including Britain.

"We are witnessing the Balkanisation of our country," Peters said, alleging that New Zealand's immigration was now out of control.

"The government is overseeing a wholesale replacement of New Zealand's population. For every New Zealander that leaves three immigrants, mainly from the third world, replace them."

Peters claims were immediately shot down by Prime Minister Helen Clark, who said the remarks could be damaging for New Zealand's economy.

"This is one desperate fellow looking for votes, but life is moving on without him, because people know this is the 21st century, " Clark said. "The only divisive person is him."

She said she feared Peters would damage New Zealand trade with huge markets in Asia. New Zealand diplomats in Asia would try to distance the government and most of Parliament from Peters' views.

Clark compared Peters with Pauline Hanson of Australia whose political party was seen to have harmed Canberra's reputation in the region.

Peters insists his stance was receiving popular support and dismissed "liberal do-gooders who have no idea where they are taking this country".

Asked how he could compare New Zealand to the 600 years of conflict that created the Balkans situation, he pointed to the communities that were forming on ethnic grounds in parts of Auckland.

"Walk down Queen Street (Auckland) on any given Friday night and tell me I am not right," he said.

Last week the National Business Review published a poll which showed around 40 percent of New Zealander questioned felt there were too many Asian immigrants.

Peters' target appears to be a big influx of Chinese in Auckland, although the bulk of them are not migrants but students and, increasingly, tourists. There has been nothing approaching race riots in New Zealand.

Because New Zealand is one of the world's few true migrant societies, it has among the highest percentage of residents living in its population that were born in other countries.

Chinese have been coming to New Zealand for almost as long as the 1840s English migrants. In the year to July 2001, India provided 5,523 individuals granted residency in New Zealand, while China saw 5,439 migrants in the last full year. - AFP