A kaumatua believes racist backlash contributed to a Wairarapa farm owners decision to sell his land

A High Court's ordered the Walking Access Commission and Kawakawa farm owner, Eric Chun Yu Wong, to settle an access dispute before the farm can be sold.

Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairarapa kaumatua Sir Kim Workman says there's needs to be more care when crown entity's publicise about disputes - especially when it involves foreign owners as it can spark xenophobic comments.

He says it can have adverse consequences.

Sir Kim says especially in terms of local community relationships, with the station and its employees.