Majority of Kiwis support diversity and inclusion, NowNext survey finds

Friday, 22 April 2022

Stuff's NowNext Pou Tiaki survey shows an 86% aspiration for inclusion and diversity but it's not always our experience says Anoushka Majmudar, a Youth Parliament member.

Issues of social justice, diversity and inclusion are critically important to New Zealanders and the future of Aotearoa. In Stuff’s latest NowNext Pou Tiaki survey, more than 6000 Kiwis participated in challenging kōrero around race relations in Aotearoa. Most aspired to an inclusive nation but there is more work to do.

The majority of Kiwis aspire for Aotearoa New Zealand to be a diverse place where everyone feels like they belong, according to the NowNext Pou Tiaki survey research.

But there is still a long way to go with almost three-quarters of respondents revealing they have experienced some form of discrimination.

Young women were more likely to support diversity, while older men were more likely to be opposed.

Anoushka Majmudar, 17, is a member of Youth Parliament 2022. She advocates for women of colour in politics.

Stuff’s NowNext Gen 4: Pou Tiaki survey revealed 86% of respondents aspire to a diverse and inclusive nation.

* Stuff Diversity and Inclusion Report - June 2021

* More than 800 commit to researching for anti-hate strategy

The survey found 74% of Kiwis have faced discrimination, and Anoushka Majmudar says she has also experienced its various forms.

Rolleston resident Anoushka Majmudar, 17, is a member of Youth Parliament 2022 and said the data reflects her experiences.

“Although I do have confidence in the fact that Aotearoa is a diverse place, I don't necessarily think it is fully inclusive, nor do I think anyone is free of some form of discrimination,” she said.

'For me personally, I have faced discrimination, whether it be racism, sexism or homophobia, whilst growing up here.'

The NowNext Gen 4: Pou Tiaki survey ran online from January 26 for nine days and received more than 6000 responses. It was advertised through Stuff’s digital and print channels and was weighted to be nationally representative.

Majmudar said she was not surprised to see that young women were the most favourable towards inclusion.

'Younger women like myself are more open to inclusivity compared to older men mainly because of the generational difference,” she said.

'This lack of open-mindedness in older people certainly is something I have observed in life, where many of my elder relatives, teachers and colleagues have a very backwards mindset, especially coming from an immigrant POC family,” she said.

Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon says education and openness to change is needed at a structural level to combat discrimination.

Majmudar is aware not everyone will agree with her views but says it’s important young people have a voice around issues as important as diversity and inclusion.

The survey revealed 86% of respondents aspire to Aotearoa New Zealand being an inclusive place for people of all ethnicities, cultures and religions.

This is further supported by 52% of respondents disagreeing with the statement: “There are too many migrants who don't share my Kiwi culture.”

But 74% said they have personally experienced a form of discrimination in New Zealand.

Pacific Island and Chinese respondents reported the highest levels of racism, and almost two-thirds of Māori respondents report having personally experienced racism.

Sexism was also a problem with 61% of women in the study reporting personal experiences of sexism. Discrimination based on gender or sexual identity is almost six times higher amongst respondents that identify as non-binary or gender diverse compared to the total sample.

AUT academic Dr Camille Nakhid says income inequality drives discrimination because people never know of each other's experiences.

The gap between aspiration and reality reflects a recent Human Rights Commission report which found “increased recognition and willingness to talk about racism, but little perceived change in racist behaviour”.

Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon said the reality is racism and racial discrimination still exists in Aotearoa New Zealand, but it is not acceptable.

'We all have the right to be treated fairly, with respect and to be free from racial discrimination and the Human Rights Act protects us against such treatment,” he said.

'Education and openness to change is needed at a structural level and the understanding that diversity and difference can, and should be, celebrated is necessary on a personal one.'

Foon said we do have a lot of work to do to address discrimination.

'Diversity is good, inclusion is better. We need to understand that real social inclusion and belonging comes with opening up appropriate opportunities for all,” he said.

'Organisations need to create an inclusive environment in the workplace that both welcomes and empowers diversity. We know this contributes to better outcomes both socially and financially.'

54 percent of respondents agree that Aotearoa is becoming a more inclusive place, but 41 percent also agree that everyone has equal opportunity.

Auckland University of Technology academic Camille Nakhid received the NZ Order of Merit for services to ethnic communities.

She said the findings of the study were not surprising, and reflective of her experiences as a person of colour.

“If you have not experienced something or you (are) not living in areas or in communities where your peers or your neighbours are experiencing racism or discrimination … how will you know or how will you even be able to empathise with what is going on?'

Nakhid said there is a disconnect between people’s views of the prevalence of racism and discrimination and how this impacts equality of opportunity.

'To address this disconnect, we need to desegregate our housing, desegregate our schools and the only way we can do that is to reduce income inequalities between people,” she said.

'Because as long as income inequality continues to grow, we will never live in the same neighbourhoods, we will never be in the same schools, and therefore we will never know of each other’s experiences.'

Seven out of ten respondents agreed that ‘NZ’s cultural diversity makes Aotearoa New Zealand a better place’.

This reflects a 2020 MBIE study which shows “77% of NZers agreeing that it’s a good thing for any society to be made up of people from different races, religions and cultures”.

The NowNext survey showed 54% agreed news organisations continue to perpetuate ethnic and religious stereotypes, with respondents being mainly Pākehā, Māori, Aucklanders, and female. But half of respondents who were mainly male, over 55 years old, and NZ European believe the news has become too woke. Over half agree it’s good to see more the use of te reo Māori in the media, and reporters and presenters should come from a wider range of ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

Send your tips, story ideas and comments to poutiaki@stuff.co.nz

Majmudar said improving representation in media, politics and workplaces can help build a more inclusive society.

'This certainly is one of the things that made me interested in politics and want to become a Youth MP as I do think diversity and inclusion is something that's important not only in politics, but to me,” she said.

'Being able to promote diversity and inclusion motivated me to join Youth Parliament, as this would give me a chance to represent marginalised communities and be as outspoken about significant issues as I can be.'