Peter Retimanu, who is of Samoan descent, told NZME he was subjected to the racist abuse after asking the tradie to move his van, as it was parked too close to his driveway to get a clear view of the traffic.
The Shirley resident says the tradesman, who was painting his neighbour's house, simply refused - resulting in a heated argument that culminated in Mr Retimanu being called the n-word.
"I felt, not so much anger, but a deep disappointment - I couldn't believe it. I said, 'You called me a what?'," he told NZME.
