The Rugby World Cup and the shared tragedies of earthquakes in New Zealand and Japan contributed to New Zealanders feeling warmer towards Asian people in 2011, an Asia New Zealand Foundation (Asia NZ) survey has found.
The Foundation’s latest Perceptions of Asia survey shows more than four out of five New Zealanders (83%) see the Asian region as important or very important to New Zealand’s future – the highest level in the past decade.
The annual research also reveals increased feelings of warmth amongst New Zealanders toward Asians. The Rugby World Cup, which helped people “come together,” played an important role in positive attitudes, while the shared tragedies of the earthquakes in Christchurch and Japan generated feelings of empathy and sympathy.
Assistance received from Asian countries following the February 22, 2011 earthquake in Christchurch also helped generate warmth among New Zealanders toward Asians.
Recognition of the economic benefits of a relationship with Asia has continued to increase, with 93% of those surveyed agreeing exports to Asia and Asian tourism in New Zealand will have positive impacts on New Zealand in the next two decades.
New Zealanders also felt more positive about immigration, imports from Asia, and Asian cultures and traditions.
Asia New Zealand Foundation chairman Philip Burdon said that over time the Research, which was first carried out in 1997, has reflected a growing recognition amongst New Zealanders that Asia is important to New Zealand.
“It’s heartening the survey shows four out of five New Zealanders agree that Asian immigrants contribute significantly to this country, and bring a valuable cultural diversity. But there are clearly still challenges – more than half of those surveyed believe New Zealand needs to engage confidently with Asia,” he said.
Fieldwork for the 2011 survey overlapped with Rugby World Cup, and was conducted fewer than six months after the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
In an audio interview accompanying the Survey, media consultant and Asia New Zealand Foundation trustee Trish Carter said, “In 2010, we had antipathy. In 2011, we had empathy, both of which related to two significant events, namely the Delhi Commonwealth Games and earthquakes in Christchurch and Japan.”
The Perceptions of Asia survey was prepared for the Asia New Zealand Foundation by Colmar Brunton. The results were based on 1105 telephone interviews carried out between September 5 and October 5, 2011, and a follow-up online forum.
