Manying Ip

Reshaping Multiculturalism

Banana Goes Global Conference18-19th August 2007

Old mono-cultural New ZealandUnwritten ‘white NZ policy’

• 1919 Treaty of Versailles, NZ backed up Britain, US and Australia to keep the ‘European racial superiority’ clause. (Brooking & Rabel, p. 32)

• Until 1945, 96 % of non-Maori New Zealanders were of British extraction. Higher than that of North America or South Africa. (Ibid p.34)

0.63% were ‘race aliens’ (mainly Chinese and Indians)

2021 Population projection

Maori: increase from 590,000

To 760,000 (29% increase)

“Asian” : increase from 270,000 to 670,000 (140% increase)

Chinese: at present around 150,000.

Ethnic Diversity within New Zealand, 1986-2001

Source: New Zealand Regions, 1986-2001: Population Structures. Population Studies Centre, University of Waikato, 2005

Multi-ethnicity is a reality

In 2001, almost 20% of New Zealand residentsand 22% of working-age residents were overseas-born

There are over 200 ethnic groups living in New Zealand

1 in 6 people in New Zealand are likely to speak two or more languages

Multi-ethnicity = multiculturalism?

• Is monoculturalism really dead?

• Is biculturalism really established?

• What place multiculturalism?

The Treaty of Waitangi 1840

• Signed between the Crown & 453 Maori chieftains.

• Basis of NZ biculturalism

• Where do Chinese/Asians/others stand in the Treaty discourse?

South-East Asia

58,296; 23%

North-East Asia 135,171; 54%

Southern Asia54,936; 22%

Central Asia2,769; 1%

New Zealand’s ‘Asian-born’ population 2006

251,172

Statistics NZ 2006 Census

China78,117; 58%

Hong Kong7,686; 6%

Japan9,573; 7%

Korea28,806; 21%

Taiwan10,764; 8%

Others225; 0%

NZ population born in North-East Asia 2006 135,171

Statistics NZ 2006 Census

Cambodia5,853; 10%

Thailand6,159; 11%

Viet Nam4,875; 8%

Indonesia4,614; 8%

Malaysia14,547; 25%

Philippines15,285; 26%

Singapore4,857; 8%

Others2,079; 4%

NZ population born in South-East Asia 2006 58,269

Statistics NZ 2006 Census

The Spirit of the Treaty

• ‘The Treaty gives legitimacy to the presence of the Pakeha, not as a conqueror or interloper, but as a New Zealander, part of a new Tangata Whenua.’ (1985 Government white paper for Bill of Rights).

Not so clearly spelt out for Asians.Are they ‘welcome guests’ or ‘gate-

crashers’?

Does goodwill count?

Aunty Kiripuai

b. 1916Kuia of Ngati Raukawa

“The Chinese were

generous…if it wasn’t

for their gardens

here, women like my

mother would have

no work.”

Some Treaty Discourse (unsettling for Asians)

• If Pakeha presence in New Zealand is under sufferance, then all subsequent migrants would be in the same boat –Brookfield.

• Only ‘her Majesty’s subjects’, migrants from Britain and Australia are legitimate ---Walker

• Successive government policies (Rogernomics, the new Right…) have been controlled by majority electorate opinion & the dictate of international economic forces…Maori would remain…destitute.—Kelsey.

Chinese Anxieties

• The long drawn-out Treaty claim process

• The race card played by some prominent Maori leaders, esp anti-immigration stance.

Chinese has a history of being the “undesirable aliens” in NZ. Often on its back foot & uncertain.

1993 Chinese Translation of the Treatydelivered to all Chinese households

Respect for the WRITTEN WORD (and fear of regulations)

Prime Minister: Address to OEA

• The New Zealand way must be to build unity in diversity,

• to avoid marginalisation,

• to practise inclusion in the national interest, and

• to encourage all those who want to be part of the building of New Zealand.

How ready is NZ?

Lantern Festival – 3 Day celebration every year

The Future Challenge

How does an evolving document originally signed in 1840 support the multicultural reality of New Zealand?

Chinese comments on ethnic relationship

‘In current NZ society, Maori are economically marginalised, while Chinese are socio-politically marginalised.

Both are disadvantaged.’

Reshaping multiculturalism

Building an inclusive New Zealand identity.

Where Chinese (and ‘other Asians’)

and ‘other ethnic groups ‘are accepted as New Zealanders.

Thank you!

Contact

< my.ip@auckland.ac.nz>