Majority of Aucklanders in NowNext survey embrace multicultural identity
Friday, 22 April 2022
Issues of social justice, diversity and inclusion are critically important to New Zealanders and the future of Aotearoa. In Stuff’s latest NowNext Pou Tiaki survey, more than 6000 Kiwis participated in challenging kōrero around race relations in Aotearoa. Most aspired to an inclusive nation but there is more work to do.
Auckland is cementing itself as one of the most multicultural cities in the world with one in four residents being born overseas.
Stuff’s NowNext Survey suggests people living in Tāmaki Makaurau are embracing its rapidly increasing diversity, but there are still roadblocks in the way.
Aucklanders scored higher than anywhere else in New Zealand for various forms of discrimination such as their names, accent and what country they were from. The most concerning being nearly half or 48% have experienced racism compared to 40% across the rest of the country.
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The survey showed 74% of Auckland respondents agreed that being able to partake in various cultural and religious celebrations was a great thing. Higher than any other region and compared to 69% across the rest of the country.
Sunil Kushal, President of the Waitakere Indian Association, said the embracing of cultural festivals was good news.
“I think its great that communities hold onto their traditions and values, especially in a multicultural city like Auckland,” he said.
“We see people leave their home countries who bring their cultures … (cultural festivals) are a great form of social cohesion and inclusiveness, while teaching locals about a world of culture and traditions.”
More work needed to be done however, according to Kaushal. “We have got to see more organisations play a bigger role. Local boards, councils and funding agencies all play a big part and festivals need more funding,” he said.
One in five Aucklanders actively participate in a variety of communities, higher than anywhere else in the country.
Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon agreed that it was brilliant news.
“Auckland is an incredibly diverse city, it is wonderful to see the large majority of people recognise the added beauty, value and contribution the many communities bring to the area,” he said
“Participation in a wide range of activities outside your own culture can increase understanding and empathy which in turn leads to greater cohesion in our society.”
Four out of every 10 Aucklanders were born overseas
The 2022 World Migration report showed that the largest groups of international migrants were from the United Kingdom, China, India, Australia and South Africa.
The Covid-19 pandemic slowed down the population growth of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland in 2021, but the Auckland population is still set to increase to two million by 2030 according to Stats NZ.
Tāmaki Makaurau is a rapidly diversifying place, so much so that by 2038 New Zealand’s largest city will be a ‘superdiverse’ city, rivalling other diverse cities such as Toronto and Singapore.
In the next fifteen years it will be more culturally diverse than ever before, with higher proportions of Asian, Pasifika and Māori populations than it had over the past twenty years.
It will be the only New Zealand city where European residents have fallen below 50 per cent of the population.
Auckland respondents report higher rates of discrimination
Despite being one of the most diverse cities in the world, Auckland residents reported higher rates of discrimination, in various forms, compared to other regions.
Nearly one in two Aucklanders in the survey reported experiencing racism compared to 40% across Aotearoa.
Nearly twice as many Aucklanders experienced discrimination based on the country they are from (27%) compared to 15% across New Zealand. Around one in five Aucklanders reported discrimination because of their accent (21%) and names (18%), which was significantly higher than any other region.
Kaushal said these statistics weren’t surprising. “It’s a shame that a multicultural city has discrimination. More education needs to be done,” he said.
“This is an opportunity for festivals to connect with the community, become more accepting and cross the barriers of discrimination.”
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Meng Foon said social cohesion should be a priority in Auckland.
“People should invite their friends to events they may not have been to before but could enjoy or even learn from,” he said.
“Event holders should look to attract new people to their festivities. Greater inclusion can lead to greater cohesion.”
“I would hope as more and more people across Aotearoa New Zealand experience and connect with other cultures and ethnic groups that those figures cited in the survey will increase even more both in Tāmaki Makarau and the country as a whole.”
Almost 9 in 10 Aucklanders agree Māori culture and history are an important part of Aotearoa New Zealand’s identity
Auckland is one of the most multicultural cities in the world and in general. from the survey, Aucklanders are more positive towards te ao Māori and the use of te reo Māori compared to other regions and overall.
Almost 85% of Aucklanders agree that Māori culture and history are an important part of Aotearoa New Zealand’s identity. This is significantly higher for Auckland residents.
A quarter of Aucklander’s (23%) can’t speak te reo but they believe it should be encouraged.
This comes as the Māori Language Commission plans to roll out te reo courses in the public sector. 2022 marks 50 years since the Māori language petition was presented to Parliament leading to political and cultural shifts towards embracing the use of the language. Te reo Māori, the indigenous language of Aotearoa, became an official New Zealand language in 1987.