Trade Depot has apologised after a job advertisement for a warehouse and dispatch role in Hamilton listed proficiency in Hindi or Punjabi as an essential requirement.

The advertisement, published on SEEK, was widely shared online before being removed.

In response to questions from chrislynchmedia.com, Trade Depot Managing Director John Christie acknowledged the wording was incorrect.

“An advertisement was posted on SEEK for a warehouse and dispatch role at our Hamilton site stating that proficiency in Hindi or Punjabi was essential,” Christie said.

“The wording was wrong, and that error is ours.

“Those languages should have been described as an advantage for this role, not a requirement.”

The advertisement attracted criticism after people questioned why a warehouse position in New Zealand would require applicants to speak Hindi or Punjabi.

“Trade Depot is against discrimination in any form. We hire on people’s skills and attitude. This listing didn’t reflect that,” Christie said.

“We apologise for it, and to anyone it discouraged from applying.”

Christie said the intention was to recognise the value of additional language skills in a diverse workplace and customer environment.

“Across our sites, our teams deal every day with customers, transport operators and driver clients who speak a wide range of languages, and our own workforce is just as varied,” he said.

“Additional language skills can be a real asset at a branch, and that is what this role was meant to address.

“We removed the advertisement as soon as we became aware of it, and we are reviewing how our job advertisements are written and approved so this does not happen again,” Christie said.

“Everyone is welcome at Trade Depot.”

The controversy comes as Trade Depot continues a major expansion programme across New Zealand.

In Christchurch, the company is building what is expected to be the country’s largest retail depot and warehouse on a 57,000 square metre site near Hornby.

The development will include a 43,000 square metre retail depot and warehouse, making it larger than Auckland’s flagship Ikea store at Sylvia Park and around three times the size of Costco’s Westgate store.

Trade Depot began as a small retail operation on Trade Me in 2008 and has grown into one of New Zealand’s largest home improvement and trade retailers.