It is exciting for me to see the prediction from Statistic New Zealand that Asian population is expected to be the fastest growing than any other ethnic groups like Maori, Pacific and European by 2026. According to the most recent Census numbers, two-third of the Asian population resides in Auckland where it is the most ethnically diverse region in New Zealand. And among the Asian population, Chinese remains the largest group.
Does this mean it will be easy for new Asian immigrants to establish a new life in Aotearoa, New Zealand? Although a lot of these new immigrants came to this country with extremely high qualifications and skills, they feel that they are being discriminated against in their searches for suitable employments in New Zealand. A study by Massey University concludes this situation might be caused by the “conservative attitudes” of Kiwis. And the solution for this – learn how to speak like a true Kiwi! This ideology contributes to the rise of “accent reduction specialists” and “speech and language therapy companies”. Now you can be the judge to the question that I raised at the beginning of this paragraph.
However, there is always encouraging news for Asian immigrants. For instance, discrimination against Asians was on a decline from its highest point of nearly 80 per cent in 2003-04 to 68 per cent at the end of 2007. The polls were carried out by the Human Rights Commission since they started tracking seven years ago.
Unfortunately, this little piece of “encouraging news” was effortlessly destroyed by the ignorant racist comment made by NZ First’s deputy leader Peter Brown against Asian immigrants. “They will create their own little China or little India and that will lead to division, friction and resentment.” This is extremely iconic since Mr Brown himself is also an immigrant to New Zealand from the United Kingdom!!! As indicated by the 2001 census, the number of British people migrating to New Zealand increased considerably. So are they intending to create their own “little Britain” in this accepting, open and multi-cultural country – Aotearoa, New Zealand?
What is your opinion on this? Feel free to leave me a comment, thanks.
13 comments:
After reading your blog, I got the impression that maybe people feel threatened by the new Asian immigrants that's why they have such a negative attitude towards them. And to think New Zealand being a first world country ( i think its a first world country) people here would be more accepting towards different cultures. But obviously they're not, well some of them are but quite a few.
Hi Alby :)
After I read yours I've been thinking seriously about the racism. I also have experience of being discriminate by some other people while liveing in NZ. It still happens sometimes unfortunately. I absoulety feel unhappy or angry about it but also i understand it. I kinda understand what Peter Brown has said because there are more people from other countries than New Zealders in NZ. Isn't it true? well, I don't know exactly but as long as we are living in a global village and learning English it's unavoidable i think.
will be looking forward to seeing more from your blog
see ya :)
Hi Bessie,
It is sad to see there're still negative attitudes towards new immigrants in NZ. Why can't they try to see the positive aspects which Asian immigrants are contributing? For example, I read an article in the Herald saying how hard Asian students are working in high schools and it is highly possible that they are "lifting NZ educational ranks"!
Albert
Hi David,
I think being an Asian in NZ, like you & me, we experience first-hand about the racism. I've been called names and thrown at with eggs when I first arrived here & I still don't understand why those people are so hostile towards people who are different to them in regards to their skin colours???
And in regards to Brown's remark, who are the "genuine" New Zealanders? Europeans? They sailed across oceans & colonised this country from the Maoris!!! I originally came from Hong Kong which was also colonised by the Brits & we local Chinese always had to kow-tow to them!!! But what gives them the rights to think or act that they are the superior race???
Albert
Hey Albert,
That was a really good point at the end of your blog. "So are they intending to create their own “little Britain” in this accepting, open and multi-cultural country – Aotearoa, New Zealand?" Loved it. I agree with you that was a racist comment from Peter Brown. So its not ok for Asians and Indians but its an acception for Britain's. Sometimes i do think people are being racist when it comes to other races immigrating to other countries. Anyways i enjoyed your blog. Especially how u left questions for the readers to think.
Well done Alby!
Hi Akash,
Thanks for the kind compliment, hope you don't find me sounding like a bitter old grump, hehe ;p;p
Going back to Brown's comment, it seems to me that he's still very much 'in love' with the British colonism in his heart.
With election approaching soon this year, I would recommend that MPs should really think carefully before they speak. But it might go down well with Brown's party leader, Mr Winston Peters, who knows?
Albert
Hi,
I think that the Asian immigrants that are mostly likely to have problems when they come to NZ are the ones who don't wish to become part of our culture. It's true that some Asian people would rather only hang around with others from their own country and I think that creates problems in language etc. However I don't think it is just Asians but also immigrants from other countries.
I have nothing against immigration, neither of my parents were born in New Zealand, but I just think immigrants should make an effort to include themselves into society.
Thanks =)
HI ALBY!
I do not know what to say, because your blog is so strong. I do not agree with what Peter Brown said about Asians in New Zealand. So much for being a deputy leader for one of the known parties in New Zealand. RUDE THING!
Anyways, New Zealand is a multicultural country and they (Parliament) should be open minded about new immigrants from other countries are trying to find a better future here, because sooner or later we’re just going to move on, by crossing the ditch or shoot straight to the States.
I really can’t say much because my own blog talks about this as well! SO READ IT!
But Albert, your blog hit me in the heart on the right place. To hear that Asians are being treated in such a way is horrible. Why? Because half the number of my friends are Asian. What hurts them, hurts me! Thanks for your point of view.
-anNiE:)
Hi Minnie-Mouse,
Your point about new immigrants not willing to include themselves in NZ culture is absolutely valid & I agree completely too. But same feathers flock together, it is human nature to stcik around people that they are familiar with. From my own experience, I was spending a lot time with my fellow Hong Kong classmates when I first came to NZ. It was only because I was still apdating to the new environment and it felt safe & comforting. After a few weeks, I expanded my social circle with local Kiwis & other students from all different countries and these days I consider myself pretty much a 'Chiwi' (Chinese-Kiwi). I emerge myself in the Kiwi culture with open arms & an open heart & at the same time I'm not abandoning my true identity ^_^
Albert
Hi Annie,
It is so hard to comprehend that racism & discrimination still exist when more & more people in the world have become 'global citizens' - people with multiple nationalities. As in NZ, some people might feel that new immigrants are using this country as a spring broad to jump across the ditch to OZ hence the negative attitudes towards them. Although this might be true to some extent, buyt they're still contibuting to this country before they can make the jump; a new immigrant needs to reside in NZ for 5 years after they are granted permanent residency, they can then apply for a Kiwi passport and migrate to OZ if that's their wish. And left alone all the sacarfices they've made when they migrate here.
Albert
WOW!! Very powerful and yet thoughtful comments to your blog Alby. Thats great to see alot of contribution made to your blog. I found the topic of your blog to be something very true and something which is almost like an everyday event which should NOT be tolerated. A touchy subject too considering that it is evident in life today. I can relate to you in regards to the situation of those who are seeking residency here before they reside in other countries such as AUS. My partner is actually in that same boat and I feel that their is a fine line between racism/discrimination and stereotyping and that in certain circumstances these situations shouldnt be taken lightly.
Had a little laugh when I saw “little Britain”, I guess them racists won’t make that comment; at least British don’t have Asian accents do they? I detest all racism behaviour, let alone my own race! However I find that New Zealand government have their reasons to place a limit on Asian immigrants, not all, but many Asians are staining New Zealand environment in many ways. However I cannot tolerate racism behaviour just because of accents or speaking their own language. Since when did non-English speaker countries discriminate English-speakers in their country who cannot speak their mother language properly?
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