Cultural diversity
The changing face of New Zealand’s population has
been in the news recently.
Analysis of the 2001 Census shows that New Zealand’s cultural
profile has become a lot more diverse in the last ten years. Between
1991 and 2001:
-
The number of European New Zealanders has dropped from
83 percent of the total population to 80 percent.
-
The number of people of Asian descent has more than
doubled.
-
There are more Asian New Zealanders than Pacific Island
New Zealanders.
For every 50 New Zealanders, there is one who does not speak English.
The most commonly spoken languages in New Zealand are (in order): English,
Māori, Samoan, French, Yue (Cantonese), and German.
These statistics have prompted considerable political debate. The New
Zealand First party has been the most public face of the immigration
debate.
New Zealand First’s view
Winston Peters, the leader of the New Zealand First political party,
has questioned New Zealand’s current immigration policy, and is
campaigning for public support for immigration reforms. New Zealand
First believes that New Zealand is accepting too many immigrants, and
that there is a high incidence of immigration fraud (for example, false
English language certificates or fake job offers to allow an immigrant
to enter and stay in New Zealand).
Changes to Government immigration policy
The Government has recently changed its immigration policy, in regard
to the skills and business criteria that potential new New Zealanders
need to meet to stay in the country. Previously, applicants needed to
score a 5 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
to gain entry into New Zealand. Applicants now need an average score
of 6.5 as well as having qualifications required for occupations on
the New Zealand Immigration Service’s (NZIS) Occupational Shortages
List.
These policy changes have created controversy. People in opposition
to the stance of New Zealand First believe that the Government has succumbed
to pressure from anti-immigration lobbyists.
What do you think?
You might like to use some of the resources provided below to help
you gather facts and ideas for a classroom discussion or activity on
the immigration issue.
Here are some questions to consider:
-
What are your opinions in regard to immigration and
the increasing ethnic diversity of New Zealand?
-
What do you think are some of the benefits of being
a multicultural country?
-
Why do you think some groups are against current immigration
levels in New Zealand?
-
How would you define a “culture”? What
is New Zealand’s culture? Do you think immigration levels change
this culture?
Resources on TKI
Multiculturalism
What
Is Multiculturalism?
This article takes a look at what is meant by the term "multiculturalism",
and its various definitions by different people.
http://www.socialstudies.com/c/@.3LoXXbbb5oFQ/Pages/multiculturalism.html
Our
Melting Pot
Explore why specific cultures have adapted and changed, the reasons for
change in societies, and the effects of change on people. http://www.tki.org.nz/r/socialscience/curriculum/SSOL/melting_pot/index_e.php
Cooperative
Learning: Response to Diversity
California Department of Education discusses the advantages of cooperative
learning and how it assists students to develop the interpersonal skills
needed for a multicultural world. In particular it promotes cooperative
learning for NESB students who face the challenges of language acquisition,
academic learning, and social adaptation.
http://www.cde.ca.gov/iasa/cooplrng2.html
Auckland
Girls Grammar - Top School
This webpage contains a link to the video Auckland Girls Grammar - Top
School which was profiled on The Knowledge Breakfast series. It shows
an interview with the assistant principal discussing the special characteristics
of this culturally diverse school.
http://knowledge.nzoom.com/knowledge_detail/0,2210,108158-181-183,00.html
Diversity
Rules
This article from the New Zealand Education Gazette looks at strategies
some Auckland schools have used to celebrate their multicultural aspects.
http://www.edgazette.govt.nz/articles/show_articles.cgi?id=5568
Experiences
of being a NESB Student in New Zealand: Some Reminders For Teachers
Teachers of non-English speaking background (NESB) students look no further!
This webpage gives an insight into the life of a typical NESB student,
and asks teachers to consider different learning styles, experiences,
low self- esteem, and cultural challenges, such as questioning authority
or the written word, that these students bring with them to the NZ classroom.
http://www.tki.org.nz/r/nesb/nesb_online/teachers/prof_read/experiences_e.php
NZ culture and immigration
Kiwi
Identity
Investigate whether there is such a thing as a common Kiwi Identity in
twenty first century New Zealand, how national and cultural identities
develop, and what is New Zealand's best known icon.
http://www.tki.org.nz/r/socialscience/curriculum/SSOL/identity/index_e.php
They
Came to This Land of Plenty
Study some of the immigrant groups that left their homeland for the unknown
- New Zealand. This resource looks at how and why these groups pass on
their culture and heritage in New Zealand.
http://www.tki.org.nz/r/socialscience/curriculum/SSOL/plenty/index_e.php
A
Home Away from Home - British Immigration to New Zealand, 1840-1914
This website, from NZHistory.net, provides information about British immigrants
to New Zealand.
http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/Gallery/brit-nz/index.htm
Fortune's
Cookie
This level 5 unit, intended for years 9-10, explores the impact of racism
on Chinese New Zealanders from the goldminers of the 1860s to those of
the present day.
http://www.tki.org.nz/r/socialscience/curriculum/SSOL/fortune/index_e.php
Immigrants -
From One World to Another
Immigrants - From One World to Another, was created by New Zealand students
as part of ThinkQuest. It provides information for 12-14 year olds about
immigrants, why people emigrate (particularly to New Zealand) and problems
that immigrants encounter.
http://library.thinkquest.org/27692
New Zealand
Immigration Workshop
This website from the New Zealand Immigration Service is a resource for
teachers and students that highlights why people move between places and
the consequences of this for the people and the places. It includes stories
of migrants from Japan, Korea, Samoa, Somalia, United States, South Africa,
and Sri Lanka.
http://www.immigration.govt.nz/workshop
Cultural Activities
Family History
in the Classroom
Study family histories in the classroom, with ideas for teachers on the
steps to go through and processes to follow. It also contains links to
numerous "How to..." articles relating to aspects of geneaology,
including census record research, print media and official records, church
record research, immigration research, oral histories and family traditions.
http://www.genealogy.com/74_taylor.html
Adapting
Action Songs and Chants
Sing from memory, perform action songs and chants from different cultures
and adapt an existing songs in this level one learning example.
http://www.tki.org.nz/e/arts/music/music_L1/music_L1_A3_menu.php
Cakes
and Candles
This is a level 1 unit intended for years 1-2. It looks at the ways different
groups celebrate birthdays and some of the traditions associated with
this celebration in children's lives.
http://www.tki.org.nz/r/socialscience/curriculum/SSOL/cakes/index_e.php
HomeEc/1/3
- K version 3
“Festivals and Celebrations” examines cultural considerations
relating to food choices and eating patterns. It involves students investigating
a festival or a celebration traditional to their culture and one from
one other culture, and preparing a dish that could be shared with a person
from another culture.
http://www.tki.org.nz/r/ncea/homeec1_3Kv3_30june02.doc
Statistics
Statistics
New Zealand School’s Corner
Find statistical information on many aspects of life in New Zealand. School’s
Corner also links to the NZ Population Clock, and the most recent New
Zealand statistics geared towards use by primary and secondary students.
http://www.stats.govt.nz/domino/external/web/schools.nsf/htmldocs/Schools%27+corner
Please note: These links were valid when this page was posted. However the Web
is very volatile, and TKI has no control over outside websites. Please let us
know if you find anything inappropriate, if you find a broken link, or if you
have an update for a link by emailing links@tki.org.nz.
Te Kete Ipurangi recommends that teachers view all websites we link to before
using them with students.
Please note: These links were valid when this page was posted. However the Web is very volatile, and TKI has no control over outside websites. Please let us know if you find anything inappropriate, if you find a broken link, or if you have an update for a link by emailing links@tki.org.nz. Te Kete Ipurangi recommends that teachers view all websites we link to before using them with students.
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