“Nips, slanty eyes, bloody Asian drivers, go back to where you came from.” It’s not just verbal abuse, but social exclusion and physical violence as well. What’s worse is that not only is the media discriminating against Asians in NZ, with the latest headline in North and South magazine reading, “Asian Angst: is it time to send some back?,” but the New Zealand Government is getting in on the anti- ‘Asian invasion’ movement too. Winston Peters is presenting his most recent racist campaign by bringing up the ‘Issue of immigration.’ Shortly after this campaign, a new Government policy was put in place that would see immigrants without university level English, refused entry to NZ.
But are Asians taking over our country? The answer is simple, NO! Resent statistics show that Asian and Indian immigrants combined, make up only a third of all arrivals to New Zealand, with 4,160 South African and English immigrants outnumbering the 3,512 Indian and Asian immigrants. Additionally the concept that many Kiwis deem truthful, that Asian immigrants are stealing our jobs is completely and utterly fictitious. Statistics reveal that the increase in Asian immigration has either improved or has not affected employment levels in New Zealand. In fact Asians are finding it more and more difficult to find jobs when arriving in New Zealand, discovering that their advanced skills and qualifications are insignificant in NZ. Despite pervasive work experience in Canada, Europe and Asia, Asoka Basnayake had no success in landing a job in NZ after applying for over 250 jobs. Asoka who is now a coordinator for new migrants, says that “There has been a disturbing increase in recent times in what I’d call conversational discrimination and particularly in relation to Asian immigrants. Although people’s qualifications and experience and skills have been assessed at the time they migrate to New Zealand, when they come here they find their skills, qualifications and experience are not worth anything”
So why do they just stick to their own kind? This question constantly frustrates me. The truth is, after talking to a variety of Asian and Indian students, most want to fit in and try many things just to be socially accepted here in NZ. Many immigrants know more about rugby than the average New Zealander. They want nothing more than to be included, but have no choice other than to stick to their own people and culture, because we Kiwis push them aside, disregarding them as friends or even potential friends.
Anyone reading this knows there is no denying New Zealand’s blatantly racist attitude towards Asians. Many forget that a large number of the Chinese population arrived here at the same time as some of the first European immigrants. This leads me to my final point. Think about this and consider it carefully. The Maoris were not the first to arrive in Aotearoa, in fact the Maoris killed off the Morioris and used the survivors as slaves. Then the European settlers came along, stole land from the Maori and stripped the Maori of their culture. Asian immigrants are not trying to kill us all, or steal our land and culture. They simply want a chance for a better life. If this was really Gods own Country, we would embrace all cultures and people, because at the end of the day, colour and race does not determine a person’s spirit.
Interesting view points on a truely controversial topic. I like many other New Zealanders appear to have grown-up accepting that racism against people of Asian decent is normal. This a sad but true fact of New Zealand society today and does indeed need to be addressed seriously. However the biggest issue that i struggle to get my head around is the comment that many of these people just wish to become a part of our culture. 95% of the time i am sure that this is true yet there are some things that hold me back from considering this statement as conpletely true. Working in the retail industry i find myself interacting with people from a variety of cultures on a daily basis. The most frustrating and irritating situation i face is that of immigrants, not solely Asians. More often than not these people do not know a hint of the english language. While trying to be helpful and ensure that get the service that they deserve I am constantly faced with numerous people who are rude, abrupt and confrontational because they can not understand what i am trying to explain to them. If these people are so adamant at becoming a ‘kiwi’ and embracing our culture, why can’t the take the time to learn to speak our language?
Thank you for your reply and that is a very fair comment; I guess older generations would be much more accustomed to their own culture and language compared to say the young students I have spoken too. I guess it’s easier for Europeans to travel the world as most countries are encouraged to learn the English tongue. I think these people disserve to keep their culture alive no matter which country they are in as the realism of world globalisation is continuosly demolishing the world’s cultural gems. It is said that by 2150 there may only be 200 languages left in the world. But yes if you do migrate to another’s territory you are expected to at least learn the basics of that culture, as an act of respect more than anything. We would not go to Arab dressed in a mini skirt now would we? But again there is no grounds I believe for racial discrimination, this only leads to more separatism and will encourage migrants to further regect our culture.
Wow… very interesting Bianca…
Nice piece of writing. I agree with you and actually feel sorry for them. All most of them want is a better chance at life and to embrace our safe and clean country not to be hated and discrimnated against.
Yes they should learn more English if they plan to live in New Zealand, as they are hard to understand sometimes but other than that. The way they are treated in unacceptable.