Mapping the state of the nation: Recent findings from the New Zealand

Attitudes and Values Study

Dr. Chris Sibley, University of Auckland Prof. Colleen Ward, Victoria University of Wellington

The New Zealand Attitudes and Values Study (NZAVS) is a longitudinal national postal study which I lead. The NZAVS aims to track changes in various social psychological and health factors for up to the next 20 years. 2009 N = 6518 2010 N = 4442 (68% retention) 2011 N = 6887 (60% retention, and 2973 new)

The study measures a range of self-report attitudes and outcomes relating to prejudice and tolerance in New Zealand each year.

The New Zealand Attitudes and Values Study

What makes a successful multicultural society?

First, there needs to be general support for multiculturalism… and of cultural diversity as a valuable resource for a society. Second, there should be overall low levels of intolerance or prejudice in the population. Third, there should be generally positive mutual attitudes among the various ethnocultural groups that constitute the society. And fourth, there needs to be a degree of attachment to the larger Canadian society, but without derogation of its constituent ethnocultural groups. Berry and Kalin (1995, p. 302)

What makes a successful multicultural society?

First, there needs to be general support for multiculturalism… and of cultural diversity as a valuable resource for a society. Second, there should be overall low levels of intolerance or prejudice in the population. Third, there should be generally positive mutual attitudes among the various ethnocultural groups that constitute the society. And fourth, there needs to be a degree of attachment to the larger Canadian society, but without derogation of its constituent ethnocultural groups. Berry and Kalin (1995, p. 302)

General support for multiculturalism

Scale items: “True equality can be achieved only once we recognize that some ethnic groups are currently more disadvantaged than others and require additional assistance from the government.” “We are all New Zealanders and the law should not make provision for minority groups because of their ethnicity.” (reversed) “We are all one nation and we should all be treated the same. No one should be entitled to anything more than the rest of us simply because they belong to one particular ethnic group.” (reversed)

From Sibley et al. (2011, NZJP)

Low levels of intolerance or prejudice

Scale item: “People from other races would be likely to reject me on the basis of my race.”

From Sibley and Ward (in prep.)

Low levels of intolerance or prejudice

Scale item: “Feel that I am often discriminated against because of my ethnicity.”

From Sibley et al. (in prep.)

Positive mutual attitudes among groups

From Sibley et al. (2011, NZJP)

Positive mutual attitudes among groups

From Sibley and Ward (in prep.)

Attachment to the larger society

Scale items: “I feel a great pride in the land that is our New Zealand.” “Although at times I may not agree with the government, my commitment to New Zealand always remains strong.”

From Sibley and Ward (in prep.)

Equality of health and wellbeing outcomes

Scale items: Item Response Weighted item scores from the validated Kessler-6 measure of non-specific psychological distress

From Krynen and Sibley (in prep.)

How does New Zealand stack up?

The NZAVS data indicate that 1.Pakeha are viewed favourably by all groups (a pro-majority bias). Asians tend be viewed least favourably. There is asymmetry between Pacific and Maori attitudes of one another. 2.Asian people, as a broad category, experience the most discrimination in New Zealand, and have the highest concerns about race-based rejection. 3.People from all four groups show a high level of attachment to New Zealand 4.Pakeha show the lowest level of support for multiculturalism generally. 5.Pacific and Asian people are the most at risk of psychological distress.