WELLINGTON: New Zealand is inhabited by mainly two ethnic races. ‘One is Maori, of Polynesian descent. ‘They are the brown skinned people considered native to New Zealand. ‘They have a distinct Polynesian language and comprise eight percent of the countries’ population. ‘The other ethnic group is Caucasian, who migrated and settled in New Zealand almost 150 years ago. They fare mainly British settlers, Since the whites occupied the country, Maoris have resented the loss of their country, to what they have described in the past as foreign settlers, They have frequently clashed with white settlers, However, more lately these two warring groups have joined in an unholy alliance to fight what they described as a threat to national sovereignty due to Asian immigration. They fear that if Asian immigration is not stopped then probably they will overtake the country. Both groups blame the growing number of relative affluent Asians for each and every ill facing the nation. They blame Asians for abusing New Zealand’s passports, propping up housing prices, driving costly cars or driving recklessly, However, government and immigrant rights group, insist that the allegations are based on no reality and are only a reflection of other nationalists’ ‘own sense of insecurity.
No matter what, anti-immigrant rhetoric is catching recognition by ‘New Zealanders as their country prepares for general elections by the end of this year. As a result, New Zealand’s Maoris First Party has ‘boasted a jump in opinion polls from eight percent to 14 percent. Migrants feel that such feelings of hatred toward them are verbalized openly to raise stakes in general election at their costs.
As the hatred toward Asian grows, they encounter more frequent assaults and abusive belittling in the public. ‘They came face to face with stone throwing, people on their cars and they are becoming a more frequent target of hate crimes.
The First Party led by Maori legislator Winston Peters argues, that New Zealand belongs to only New ‘Zealanders, the idea echoed by middle and low class Caucasians who are bitter about past social and economic: reforms in the. County. Peters says he is not a racist, but believes “the failure of immigration policy is affecting all New Zealanders.’
Determined to curb a wave of bigotry, Prime Minister Jim Bolger angrily told Parliament this week that Peters has whipped up racial hatred akin to “that most awful period of the world, which was the 30s and *40s in Germany.”
‘About have of the 55,000 newcomers granted permission to settle in New Zealand last year been from Asia. Many are from Hong Kong, while others came from Taiwan, South Korea, Singaporean Malaysia; Most are well-heeled entrepreneurs and their families.
Also during the past decade more immigrants from India, Pakistan and other south Asians countries have also arrived adding to cultural diversity, resented by the natives.
However, first party insists that the leader of many immigrant men return to Asia to work soon after gaining citizenship, leaving their families behind. The party claims these men use the New Zealand passport as a hedge for uncertain times.
Radio talk’s shows are rife with fears of the Asian presence. Callers regularly chastise Asians who drive expensive cars badly, others allege welfare cheating. Maori groups fear Asian investment cold swamp attempts to resolve land claims with the government.
“We need an immigration policy that recognizes the rights of Maori as the tan gala when a (people of the land),” said Hone Harawira of the Te Kawariki protest group.
A recent survey found that 51% of voters believe New Zealand has too many Asians, even though a census shows they make up less than 0.5% of its 3.5 million people.
Most Asians arrived in the fast five: years as the government sought closer ties with their booming homelands. In an effort to build premierships with Asian countries and decrease its dependence on Great Britain and the United States, the government has worked to entice wealthy Asian investors.
Article extracted from this publication >> May 15, 1996
