A racist Santa parade float has stunned the South Taranaki town of Hawera.

Members of the Mt View Lions Club are under fire for wearing black face and Afro wigs on their parade float.

Photos from the Hawera parade show six people wearing wigs and with their faces painted black - being towed on a trailer.

The club initially defended its actions on social media, urging people not to be too precious or PC.

Hawera resident Debbie Ngarewa-Packer says the Michael Jackson song 'Black or White' was playing as the float rolled by.

"Many people looked on in stunned silence, and the parade organisers need to be held accountable."

Former MP Hone Harawira has blasted members of a South Taranaki Lions Club, who wore black face for a Christmas parade.

"It shows racism is well and truly alive, and such behaviour can't go unchallenged."