New Zealand has evolved from a bi-cultural treaty based nation into a multi-cultural, multi-racial country. New Zealand has attracted migrants from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds, who bring with them new and exciting languages, religions, clothing, food, dances — and the list goes on! However, this is of little benefit to New Zealand, unless we positively embrace this diversity. This means educating ourselves, just as immigrants must educate themselves about New Zealand. In order to build a cohesive society, racial tolerance and trust have to be promoted. Although successive governments have pursued this direction by enacting policies and laws to promote racial harmony, there undeniably exists feelings of racial prejudice, racial intolerance and bigotry. These feelings need to be acknowledged and addressed.

New Zealand has a history of discrimination and racial intolerance. Principally, its treatment of the tangata whenua -the Maori. However there exist many other examples, including the residential status afforded to early immigrants from the Pacific islands and the collection of poll tax from early settlers from China. One question I ask myself is, ‘how much have things really changed?’ Unfortunately, I must conclude that while those laws may have now disappeared, their legacy has not.

It is well known that it was the activism and strong lobbying of the Maori themselves, which raised the social consciousness of the government and society and resulted in treaty reparations and genuine efforts to raise Maori from the bottom of the ladder in terms of health, education and employment. It was not a desire of those in 474472.1 77777-000 power to change, rather they were forced to by decades of outspoken agitation. Yet, the understanding and appreciation of the Maori culture and the essential details of the Treaty of Waitangi are not clearly understood by New Zealanders. Perhaps, as a result of this, there still exists an undercurrent of opinion that Maoris are ‘free loaders’ and ‘stealing’ land back. These racial slurs may often be said in a joking manner, but they seem to be being heard more frequently and fervently. This in turn is made worse by the media, who take no exceptions to sensationalism when it covers negative issues regarding Maori and ethnic peoples.

Racial-slurs are also aimed at ethnic people. Sometimes, the harm and negative effect may not even be appreciated. For example, when people are stereotyped in terms of their jobs -Indians are all dairy owners, Chinese all have takeaway stores; their driving, their educational ability; or in other more obvious ways — ‘whinging poms’; ‘coconuts’; ‘curry munchers’; ‘Asian drivers’; ‘Chowick’; ‘Asian invasion’ etc. Recent immigrants and refugees are often and more openly viewed as trouble makers, taking jobs away from New Zealanders and draining the education and health systems. And most of these ethnic groups are yet to develop the unity, strength and voice to overcome these slurs.

New Zealanders have to appreciate that our country has become a multi cultural society and accordingly, we all need to educate ourselves. There exists little understanding or knowledge of other cultural values and norms e.g. Somalian female circumcision, Indian arranged marriages, various religious festivals. The New Zealand government has taken positive steps in promoting multiculturalism. This is evident in the recent publication of a policy document by the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs “Ethnic 474472.1 77777-000 perspectives in Policy”- helping ethnic people to be seen, heard included and accepted. However, this multi-cultural society of ours is a work-in—progress and the fear of falling back into past practices remains. So let us remember our past, learn more about our present and together lets aim for a better future.

Dr Nagalingam Rasalingam
President- Refugee Council of New Zealand
Past President- New Zealand Federation of Ethnic Councils
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20 June 2003