Blackfaces and golliwogs embarass Qantas, Auckland airport

Qantas has apologised for a publicity stunt on Twitter that has drawn criticism as racist.

The airline awarded free tickets to last Saturday's Bledisloe Cup to two Brisbane men who 'blacked up' (putting on black face paint and Afro-style wigs) to impersonate Wallaby star, Radike Samo.

The men had a photo of themselves taken with Samo, apparently in good spirits, in order to win a competition in which contestants had to tell Qantas via Twitter how they would demonstrate their support for the Wallabies at the match.

The men decided to dress as Radike Samo, complete with Afro Wig, Walaby kit and facepaint.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Qantas awarded the men $378 platinum tickets last week.

However, when some Twitter users slammed the stunt as racist, Qantas removed the photo from Twitter.

In a related incident, a toyshop at Auckland airport has removed its stock of golliwog dolls and after a visiting African-American hip hop star took offence.

Big Boi, half of chart-topping hip hop duo Outkast, saw the dolls as he passed the shop after a concert in Auckland. He posted a picture of the dolls on Twitter with the message: "Ok, all blacks is a rugby team, but what the **** are these."

Tweeted replies to Big Boi's question, according to the New Zealand Herald, included the suggestion: "burn the racist airport down."

Alerted by the paper, airport management quickly ordered the golliwogs to be removed.

Image: Radike Samo