Human Rights Commission

Ask the average New Zealander who is most discriminated against and he or she is most likely to say ‘Asians’. In a public opinion survey conducted for the Human Rights Commission’s annual review of racial discrimination, Asians were named by 75 per cent of respondents as the most discriminated against group in New Zealand. This figure has remained relatively unchanged in the past five years.

The review notes that the number of media reports of racially motivated crime dropped in the past year, but still included a number of serious assaults. Two Thai women were abused both physically and verbally in Nelson, a couple set their dogs on a Filipino man and Japanese student in Christchurch, a man in New Plymouth attacked his Indian neighbours’ car with a machete, and a Chinese student was assaulted at an Invercargill petrol station.

Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres told the New Zealand Federation of Multicultural Councils in Wellington that an active focus on inclusion of Asian New Zealanders in all aspects of New Zealand life was required to break down discrimination.  ‘Asians are now one of our four largest population groups, and one of the fastest growing. Yet the only publicly funded television programme, Asia Downunder, was discontinued last year.  There are very few Asians on the boards of District Health Boards, not enough Asian teachers in our schools, not enough Asian local councillors or community board members and Asian migrants continue to face discrimination in applying for jobs.’

Mr de Bres said that one of the organisations that has strongly focused on Asian recruitment over a recent years is the New Zealand Police. ‘That meant they were able to deal effectively with Asian communities after the Canterbury earthquake, as well as being accessible to Asian communities elsewhere. All public agencies should be doing the same. Some private sector organisations, such as the major banks, have also reached out to Asian communities because it makes good business sense.’

Mr de Bres said the time has come to recognise Asians as one of the four major population groups in New Zealand, along with Māori, Pākehā, and Pacific. For example, Auckland University, which has rightly provided a space for Māori and Pacific students with the marae and the Fale Pasifika, could be thinking how they can similarly provide a space for Asian students who comprise a significant proportion of the student body.

To view the full review of discrimination and harassment in 2011 and for reviews in other areas released to date, visit www.hrc.co.nz.

Read the UMR research Perception of Discrimination report.