際際滷

際際滷Share a Scribd company logo

Complexities of Racism in New Zealand

Centre for Applied Cross-cultural Research
Centre for Applied Cross-cultural Research

Presentation on 'The Complexities of Racisim in New Zealand' by Professor James Liu, Co-Director of the Centre for Applied Cross-cultural Research, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand: http://www.victoria.ac.nz/cacr This presentation was made at the Diversity Forum at Canterbury University, Christchurch, New Zealand on 24 August 2014: http://www.hrc.co.nz/race-relations/new-zealand-diversity-forum/

1 of 19
COMPLEXITIES OF RACISM IN NEW ZEALAND Professor James H. Liu James.Liu@vuw.ac.nz
NEW ZEALAND: AN OPEN SOCIETY IN PRINCIPLE Unlike many European nations, NZ visions itself as a nation of migrants, whether these are tangata whenua who arrived centuries ago, or more recent settlers. Uniquely in the world, both LIBERAL & BICULTURAL models of NZ nationhood CO-EXIST. The expression of racism in New Zealand is limited by these two ideals.
100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 NZ Oz Sw Sp Nl Fr Lx UK Dn Fn It Pt Ir Bl Ge Aus Gr Countries Percentage Agreement IT IS A GOOD THING FOR ANY SOCIETY TO BE MADE UP OF PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT RACES, RELIGIONS AND CULTURES
NATIONAL CHARACTER BASED ON LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC VALUES Friendly & approachable Have a clean & green attitude Be friendly Be a hard worker Respect other cultures & ethnic groups Appreciate nature and the outdoors Be environmentally friendly Support a nuclear-free New Zealand Egalitarian believe in equality Try to get ahead on own efforts Treat all people of all races equally Be innovative & creative Be tolerant of other cultures
MIGRANTS EXPERIENCES OF DISCRIMINATION 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Percent By region of origin Specific Prejudices http://dol.govt.nz/publications/research/lisnz/
WARMTH RATINGS OF NEW ZEALAND EUROPEAN, MORI, PACIFIC AND ASIAN PEOPLES TOWARD ONE ANOTHER: NZ EUROPEANS AT THE HEART OF THE NATION
WITHER BICULTURALISM?
HISTORICAL BASIS FOR BICULTURALISM The basis for biculturalism arises out of the status of Mori as tangata whenua in what is widely regarded as the foundational document of NZ sovereignty, the Treaty of Waitangi. This contractual relationship between Mori and the Crown has evolved over time, but includes provisions for kawanatanga, rangatiratanga, equality for all citizens, reasonable cooperation between Crown and iwi, and redress of past injustices. These principles are specific to NZ (whereas liberalism is in theory universal).
HOW WELL HAVE MAORI & PAKEHA/ EUROPEANS HONOURED THE TREATY OF WAITANGI? 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Maori Pakeha Respondent Ethnicity Mean Rating Maori Honour Pakeha Honour 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Maori Pakeha Respondent Ethnicity Mean Rating Maori Honour Pakeha Honour Student Sample General Sample
SYMBOLIC ELEMENTS OF THIS RELATIONSHIP ARE WIDELY ACCEPTED ACCORDING TO RESEARCH USING THE IMPLICIT ASSOCIATIONS TEST (IAT)
AT THE SYMBOLIC LEVEL (IAT), MAORI AND PAKEHA ARE BOTH IMPLICITLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE NATIONAL IDENTITY
NEW ZEALAND COAT OF ARMS: SYMBOLICALLY BICULTURAL
BUT IF THE NATIONAL IS SO EQUAL WHY IS IT THAT . Maori form 16% of the total population and 50% of the prison population? Maori die 8 years younger than everyone else? Many Maori attend high schools where no one is going to university? Maori earn 16% less income than the rest?
SUPPORT FOR BICULTURALISM IN PRINCIPLE, OR SYMBOLIC INCLUSION OF MAORI (4.89/1-7) Maori language should be taught in all NZ schools The NZ national anthem should be sung in both Maori and English. NZ should be known and seen as a bicultural society, reflecting an equal partnership between Maori and Pakeha. If NZ were to change to a republic, then the Treaty of Waitangi should be used as a foundation for our constitution. NZ should embrace its cultural diversity.
MORE SUPPORT FOR LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLE OF EQUALITY & OPPOSITION TO RESOURCE SPECIFIC BICULTURALISM (5.73) We are all New Zealanders, and no one ethnic group should get special privileges. It is racist to give one ethnic group special privileges, even if they are a minority I feel that although Maori have had it rough in past years, they should still be treated the same as everyone else. No one group should be given privileges on the basis of ethnic or racial background I find the idea of giving priority or special privileges to one group appalling, minority or otherwise
HISTORICAL NEGATION AS A LEGITIMIZING MYTH FOR NEW ZEALAND EUROPEANS The Historical Negation Scale Loading Grievances for past injustices should be recognized and due compensation offered to the descendants of those who suffered from such injustices. (r) .86 New Zealand law needs to recognize that certain ethnic minorities have been treated unfairly in the past. People belonging to those groups should be entitled to certain benefits and compensation. (r) .84 I believe that I should take part in the efforts to help repair the damage to others caused by earlier generations of people from my ethnic group. (r) .83 We as a nation have a responsibility that see that due settlement is offered to Maori in compensation for past injustices. (r) .82 We should not have to pay for the mistakes of our ancestors. .81 We should all move on as one nation and forget about past differences and .79 conflicts between ethnic groups. It is true that many things happened to Maori people in the past that should not have happened, but it is unfair to hold current generations of Pakeha/NZ Europeans accountable for things that happened so long ago. .78 People who weren't around in previous centuries should not feel accountable for the actions of their ancestors. .69 (r) = Item is reverse scored.
MAYBE NOT RACIST (NOT BASED ON INTERPERSONAL DISLIKE), BUT IT DOES MAINTAIN NZ EUROPEAN PRIVILEGE THROUGH POLICY PREFERENCES & INSTITUTIONAL NORMS FAVOURING THE MAJORITY
WARMTH TOWARDS MAORI National Sample Negative feelings distributed unequally
CONCLUSION NZ is open in principle, but prejudiced in practice in specific situations, in places, and against particular types of people. NZ national identity is constructed from both Liberal Democratic and Bicultural Principles. The future trajectory of the nation will have to draw from these two principles together, to reduce prejudice and discrimination across the different parts of the nation.

More Related Content

Complexities of Racism in New Zealand

  • 1. COMPLEXITIES OF RACISM IN NEW ZEALAND Professor James H. Liu James.Liu@vuw.ac.nz
  • 2. NEW ZEALAND: AN OPEN SOCIETY IN PRINCIPLE Unlike many European nations, NZ visions itself as a nation of migrants, whether these are tangata whenua who arrived centuries ago, or more recent settlers. Uniquely in the world, both LIBERAL & BICULTURAL models of NZ nationhood CO-EXIST. The expression of racism in New Zealand is limited by these two ideals.
  • 3. 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 NZ Oz Sw Sp Nl Fr Lx UK Dn Fn It Pt Ir Bl Ge Aus Gr Countries Percentage Agreement IT IS A GOOD THING FOR ANY SOCIETY TO BE MADE UP OF PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT RACES, RELIGIONS AND CULTURES
  • 4. NATIONAL CHARACTER BASED ON LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC VALUES Friendly & approachable Have a clean & green attitude Be friendly Be a hard worker Respect other cultures & ethnic groups Appreciate nature and the outdoors Be environmentally friendly Support a nuclear-free New Zealand Egalitarian believe in equality Try to get ahead on own efforts Treat all people of all races equally Be innovative & creative Be tolerant of other cultures
  • 5. MIGRANTS EXPERIENCES OF DISCRIMINATION 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Percent By region of origin Specific Prejudices http://dol.govt.nz/publications/research/lisnz/
  • 6. WARMTH RATINGS OF NEW ZEALAND EUROPEAN, MORI, PACIFIC AND ASIAN PEOPLES TOWARD ONE ANOTHER: NZ EUROPEANS AT THE HEART OF THE NATION
  • 8. HISTORICAL BASIS FOR BICULTURALISM The basis for biculturalism arises out of the status of Mori as tangata whenua in what is widely regarded as the foundational document of NZ sovereignty, the Treaty of Waitangi. This contractual relationship between Mori and the Crown has evolved over time, but includes provisions for kawanatanga, rangatiratanga, equality for all citizens, reasonable cooperation between Crown and iwi, and redress of past injustices. These principles are specific to NZ (whereas liberalism is in theory universal).
  • 9. HOW WELL HAVE MAORI & PAKEHA/ EUROPEANS HONOURED THE TREATY OF WAITANGI? 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Maori Pakeha Respondent Ethnicity Mean Rating Maori Honour Pakeha Honour 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Maori Pakeha Respondent Ethnicity Mean Rating Maori Honour Pakeha Honour Student Sample General Sample
  • 10. SYMBOLIC ELEMENTS OF THIS RELATIONSHIP ARE WIDELY ACCEPTED ACCORDING TO RESEARCH USING THE IMPLICIT ASSOCIATIONS TEST (IAT)
  • 11. AT THE SYMBOLIC LEVEL (IAT), MAORI AND PAKEHA ARE BOTH IMPLICITLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE NATIONAL IDENTITY
  • 12. NEW ZEALAND COAT OF ARMS: SYMBOLICALLY BICULTURAL
  • 13. BUT IF THE NATIONAL IS SO EQUAL WHY IS IT THAT . Maori form 16% of the total population and 50% of the prison population? Maori die 8 years younger than everyone else? Many Maori attend high schools where no one is going to university? Maori earn 16% less income than the rest?
  • 14. SUPPORT FOR BICULTURALISM IN PRINCIPLE, OR SYMBOLIC INCLUSION OF MAORI (4.89/1-7) Maori language should be taught in all NZ schools The NZ national anthem should be sung in both Maori and English. NZ should be known and seen as a bicultural society, reflecting an equal partnership between Maori and Pakeha. If NZ were to change to a republic, then the Treaty of Waitangi should be used as a foundation for our constitution. NZ should embrace its cultural diversity.
  • 15. MORE SUPPORT FOR LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLE OF EQUALITY & OPPOSITION TO RESOURCE SPECIFIC BICULTURALISM (5.73) We are all New Zealanders, and no one ethnic group should get special privileges. It is racist to give one ethnic group special privileges, even if they are a minority I feel that although Maori have had it rough in past years, they should still be treated the same as everyone else. No one group should be given privileges on the basis of ethnic or racial background I find the idea of giving priority or special privileges to one group appalling, minority or otherwise
  • 16. HISTORICAL NEGATION AS A LEGITIMIZING MYTH FOR NEW ZEALAND EUROPEANS The Historical Negation Scale Loading Grievances for past injustices should be recognized and due compensation offered to the descendants of those who suffered from such injustices. (r) .86 New Zealand law needs to recognize that certain ethnic minorities have been treated unfairly in the past. People belonging to those groups should be entitled to certain benefits and compensation. (r) .84 I believe that I should take part in the efforts to help repair the damage to others caused by earlier generations of people from my ethnic group. (r) .83 We as a nation have a responsibility that see that due settlement is offered to Maori in compensation for past injustices. (r) .82 We should not have to pay for the mistakes of our ancestors. .81 We should all move on as one nation and forget about past differences and .79 conflicts between ethnic groups. It is true that many things happened to Maori people in the past that should not have happened, but it is unfair to hold current generations of Pakeha/NZ Europeans accountable for things that happened so long ago. .78 People who weren't around in previous centuries should not feel accountable for the actions of their ancestors. .69 (r) = Item is reverse scored.
  • 17. MAYBE NOT RACIST (NOT BASED ON INTERPERSONAL DISLIKE), BUT IT DOES MAINTAIN NZ EUROPEAN PRIVILEGE THROUGH POLICY PREFERENCES & INSTITUTIONAL NORMS FAVOURING THE MAJORITY
  • 18. WARMTH TOWARDS MAORI National Sample Negative feelings distributed unequally
  • 19. CONCLUSION NZ is open in principle, but prejudiced in practice in specific situations, in places, and against particular types of people. NZ national identity is constructed from both Liberal Democratic and Bicultural Principles. The future trajectory of the nation will have to draw from these two principles together, to reduce prejudice and discrimination across the different parts of the nation.