Measuring the preconditions for a successful multicultural society: A barometer test of New Zealand
Contact: Chris Sibley and Colleen Ward
Objective
New Zealand is historically a bicultural nation with its well established relationship between Maori and the British Crown. Increased migration from Asia and the Pacific Islands since the 1980s has increased cultural diversity and resulted in a more multicultural population. This study measures the attitudes, feelings, and expectations of 5,862 Kiwis to see if New Zealand can also be considered a psychologically multicultural society.
Outcomes
The findings of this study suggest that in some ways, New Zealand can be considered a psychologically multicultural society, but in others, it cannot.
- New Zealanders appreciate cultural diversity and believe that it is good for society, but reject equitable resource distribution aimed to reduce social inequalities
- New Zealanders do not typically experience race-based rejection, but Asian and Pacific peoples are the most likely to experience this type of rejection
- Ethnic groups typically have warm intergroup feelings, but they have warmer feelings towards members of their own ethnic group. If one ethnic group likes another ethnic group, the feelings tend to be reciprocated
- Perceptions of economic competition tended to be low, but Asian New Zealanders were generally seen as the most threatening
- All ethnic groups displayed strong levels of patriotism.
You can access the report "Measuring the preconditions for a successful multicultural society: A barometer test of New Zealand" here.