Auckland Mayor Phil Goff is sickened at hearing ill-informed or bigoted people have tried excluding people of Asian origin from buses and public swimming pools.

Goff said coronavirus concerns had sparked some "extreme reactions", at best ignorant, at worst "unacceptable prejudice" and racism.

"In Albany, a woman came into the (swimming) centre and said...'why aren't you banning all these Asians from the pool?'"

DAVID WHITE/STUFF Auckland Mayor Phil Goff says some Chinese New Zealanders tell him they've never felt as uncomfortable as they do now.

The woman allegedly told council pool staff it was "disgusting" Asians were allowed to swim at the pool.

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Goff appealed for Aucklanders to show solidarity.

He said some Chinese New Zealanders, including those born here, had told him they'd never previously felt as uncomfortable as they did now.

KAI SCHWOERER/GETTY Goff says the solidarity New Zealanders displayed after last year's terror attacks was in stark contrast to the bigotry and ignorance some Aucklanders have displayed about coronavirus and people of Chinese origin.

He'd also received reports from council staff of racist remarks at Stanmore Bay on the North Shore, Lloyd Elsmore Park in Pakuranga, and on public buses.

Some bus drivers had reportedly been asked why they allowed people of Asian ethnicity onboard.

Goff said council staff should respond to people complaining in a "calm and reasonable manner, and explain that there is practically no prospect that the individual they're worrying about could be conveying coronavirus".

GETTY IMAGS Chinese customers at a supermarket last week donning face masks. Concerns have emerged the virus has become a lightning rod for anti-Chinese bigotry.

He said a third-generation Chinese New Zealander who went to an Auckland restaurant with a friend recently was immediately met with an "uneasy and unhappy" reaction from patrons.

Goff said coronavirus bigotry was in stark contrast to how Kiwis responded after last year's March 15 mosque shootings.

He said even if a coronavirus outbreak did hit New Zealand, anyone who fell ill would be quarantined and he was in frequent contact with health officials who were closely examining the situation.

"We've taken really tough measures as a country to stop people coming in from China."

The Government on Saturday afternoon announced it would keep temporary restrictions on travel from China.

RICKY WILSON/STUFF Reports of bus passengers complaining to drivers about Asian customers have disturbed Auckland's mayor.

The restrictions stop foreign nationals who have travelled from or through mainland China from entering New Zealand.

The virus led to cancellation of public Auckland events including the Lantern Festival on February 13 and Korea Day on March 14.

Goff said although it was disappointing Korea Day was cancelled, he understood organisers' concerns and respected their right to consult experts and make decisions based on available evidence.

He said the Lantern Festival was cancelled primarily because Aucklanders of Chinese heritage had voiced discomfort at staging a major celebration during a time of crisis.