Multiculturalism in Aotearoa New Zealand

Tracking the history of people within Aotearoa NZ is captured on the government's Te Ara website.
Māori are considered the first settlers, the indigenous people of Aotearoa.
Stories vary by Rohe (region) and tribal stories.
A well-known story involves the Māori navigator Kupe, who chased his octopus Te Whikia Maturangi and arrived in Aotearoa.
New Zealand wasn't known to Europeans until 1642, about four centuries after Polynesian navigators landed.
Settlers from England, Scotland, and Ireland arrived from the late eighteenth century, seeking a better life.
From the twentieth century onwards, war, persecution, and the search for better lifestyles brought diverse groups and individuals to Aotearoa.
Today's New Zealanders have heritage from The Pacific, Europe, Asia, Africa, and America.

Differing opinions exist regarding multiculturalism.
Some believe the state only recognizes the dominant Pākehā culture and indigenous Māori culture, despite evidence of multiculturalism.
Some supporters of biculturalism are against multiculturalism promoting that a multicultural policy would diminish the importance of Māori language and culture.
The Treaty of Waitangi establishes an expectation for the Crown to protect the rights of Māori.
Some prefer New Zealand to be officially multicultural, where the state recognizes and provides for multiple cultures, languages, and rights.
Many who support biculturalism see it as a foundation for successful multiculturalism.
Debate revolves around which cultures should receive official recognition from the state.

Multiculturalism gives the sense of belonging, but there are questions regarding the order of biculturalism vs multiculturalism.
Ranginue Walker (2012) stated that becoming bicultural is the first step towards becoming multicultural.

Multicultural New Zealand is a non-government organization established in 1989 to care for ethnic communities.
Their vision is a multicultural New Zealand where people of different cultures and beliefs live safely and in harmony.
Their mission is to represent and support multicultural groups through leadership, partnership, capacity building, and service delivery.
They are committed to a treaty-based multicultural society, advocating for a society where Māori have particular status as tangata whenua.

Positives of multiculturalism: intergroup relations, support for immigration, intercultural contact, less racial bias, and negative feelings towards minorities.
Negatives: the majority group might feel threatened, generating prejudice and undermining intergroup relations.
Tensions arise from whether to prioritize biculturalism or multiculturalism, especially concerning the status of Māori as tangata whenua.
Ward (2013) argues that some tensions are due to confusions and misunderstandings of what multiculturalism means.

The existence of many different restaurants doesn't necessarily mean New Zealand is multicultural, as culture is more than just food.
Active participation and acknowledging other aspects of culture are important.
Eating ethnic food can signal an openness to cultural difference.
Understanding multiculturalism involves embracing and celebrating cultural diversity.
Policies are needed to support cultural maintenance and promote a multicultural society.
Multiculturalism is not only about acknowledging and valuing diversity but also promoting it.

All cultures and ethnicities are acknowledged.
The indigenous rights of tangata whenua are honored and recognized.
Full and equitable participation of every individual is promoted.
The existence of all ethnic communities, their histories, and heritages are celebrated.
Intercultural understanding is promoted.
Equity is a key consideration.

Some believe multiculturalism has failed, with different understandings evolving over time.
The 1950s assumed that people would integrate in their own way if they could keep significant aspects of their culture.
The 1980s focused on tolerance and equal rights.
Now, there is a positive promotion of religious and ethnic identities.

Multiculturalism may encourage cultures to lead separate lives away from the mainstream.
Questioning whether the goal is tolerance or being one society.

Professor Colin Ward from Victoria University discusses multicultural societies and distinguishes between multiculturalism and bicultural heritage.

Smith's positioning: multiculturalism is a mindset of being aware of differences, open-minded, and willing to coexist.
It involves doing our best to get through the day together in the jury room, school, or community.

Multiculturalism involves being open-minded, willing to do our best, and willing to coexist.
It also includes valuing and promoting cultural diversity.
Some consider it a complete failure.