The new Race Relations Report 2007 shows that New Zealand is becoming more multi-cultural and we are also feeling more comfortable about immigrants from different ethnic backgrounds. Maoris represent about 15% of the population, Asians nearly 7% and Pacific Islanders about the same. This means that nearly 70% of the people are European but this is changing. About 40% of school children and 55% of new babies are non-European or of mixed race.
The report shows there is much more inter-marriage between people of different cultures, especially amongst Maori and Pacific Islanders. 65% of Maori children and nearly half of Pacific Island children are of mixed race; however, only 30% of Asian children are of mixed race. It is, however, very hard to give percentages of population belonging to different ethnicities because people can choose to tick more than one box on the census form. If they tick that they have Maori and European ethnic backgrounds, they are counted in both ethnic groups. This means that the figures do not add up to 100%.
The largest group of Asian people in New Zealand is Chinese, followed by Indian then Korean. These groups are increasing faster than other groups because of immigration.
Maori and Pacific Island women have more babies than women from other ethnic backgrounds – 2.7 births for every Maori woman compared to 2 births for Europeans. Maori women also have babies at a younger age than European women – 23 years for Maori compared to nearly 30 for European women.
The report also showed that people of different ethnicities are not represented in local government. Members of city councils, district health boards and school boards are mostly European. This needs to change to reflect the change in our population.
The report also showed that Kiwis are mostly happy about race relations in this country. It is not a major worry for people.
Questions
A Listen for the proportion of mixed race and average no. of births for each ethnicity, if they are given:
Maori, Pacific Islander, Asian, non-European
B True/False/Make it Right
Circle the correct answer. If the answer is false, make a small change to make it right
1. Census results about percentages of ethnic groups in the NZ population may be wrong. T/F
2. There are more Koreans than Indians in New Zealand T/F
3. European women generally have children later in life than Maori women. T/F
4. There are very few non-Europeans on local councils and public boards. T/F
5. Hardly any New Zealanders feel good about New Zealand being a multi-cultural country. T/F
C Synonyms
Find words in the text which mean the same as the following.
ethnicity ___________________ pakeha _______________________
percentage ____________________ more rapidly _______________________
significant ____________________
D Questions for Discussion
1. How many different nationalities of people live in your street?
2. What are the advantages for immigrants of migrating to New Zealand? Are there any disadvantages?
3. Would you prefer to live in a multi-cultural or mono-cultural society? Give reasons for your opinion.
Questions contributed by Chris Mahoney |