Ethnicity
Sophie Davies
Public
Seen by 436
Ethnicity is the ethnic group or groups a person identifies with or has a sense of belonging to. It is a measure of cultural affiliation (in contrast to race, ancestry, nationality, or citizenship). Ethnicity is self-perceived and a person can belong to more than one ethnic group.
The census provides a baseline count for all official ethnicity statistics and is widely used with other demographic characteristics to inform research and policy development. Collecting ethnicity information in the census is required under the Statistics Act 1975.
We initiated a Review of the Official Ethnicity Statistical Standard (ROESS) in 2008 to understand the increase in written responses of 'New Zealander', from 2.4 percent in the 2001 Census to 11.1 percent in the 2006 Census. This review found an almost universal view amongst customers (users of the data) that the format of the census ethnicity question should remain unchanged. This is because of the applied use of the data and the requirement to measure across time.
Following this review, the Government Statistician decided there would be no change to the ethnicity question for the 2013 Census. We also decided that ‘New Zealander’ responses received on the 2013 Census form would continue to be reported under the ‘other ethnicity’ category.As was the case in 2006, we also published the number of ‘New Zealanders’ within the ‘other ethnicity’ category.
Responses of ‘New Zealander’ have fallen since 2006, at 1.6 percent in the 2013 Census.
Our current recommendations relating to ethnicity
- We recommend that ethnicity be included with no changes in the 2018 Census.
See our preliminary view of 2018 Census content (pages 24-25) for a more detailed discussion on ethnicity information
See 2013 Census information by variable for information on the ethnicity variable
Kay Sun 3 May 2015 7:14AM
Ethnicity and culture can be indicators of future health issues and of future family size. Maori and Pacific people tend to have larger families than pakeha or people of Chinese heritage (for example). Family size impacts on the need for schools, different types of accommodation and health services. There are reasons to collect the information, and people can provide information about their heritage while still being a "New Zealander".
John Russell Sun 3 May 2015 7:37AM
I do not identify as "New Zealand European", and am happy to be called (and refer to myself as) pākehā. I realise some object to this term, but I don't understand why.
Another common term is tauiwi which can and has been used to mean any non-Māori person born here. The basic meaning (as I understand it) is someone not of my tribe. I wonder if those who find pākehā offensive would be ok with identifying as tauiwi?
Racheal McGonigal Sun 3 May 2015 9:34AM
@John Russell - "I wonder if those who find pākehā offensive would be ok with identifying as tauiwi?"
No. It is a supposed Maori word written in the English language and has no meaning to me. I am a New Zealander - end of story. My ancestors do come from Spain, France, England, Scotland but I am 4th generation born in this country and am a New Zealander.
Many who claim to be Maori also can trace their heritage as I, to many parts of the world and should be proud of it but they are no more a New Zealander than I.
They too, are equally a New Zealander as I am but no more important.
WE are New Zealanders. Respect us for who we are and stop dividing us.
Guy Marriage Sun 3 May 2015 9:53AM
I'm with Rachel on that one too - if people have been disliking being called pakeha for years, they're certainly not going to like being called tauiwi! I am also a New Zealander. on a slight side note, if we accept that the name of the country we live in is Aotearoa, then does that make us all Aotearoans?
John Russell Sun 3 May 2015 10:38AM
@guymarriage So is the problem that some people just do not like using a Māori word to describe themselves?
@rachealmcgonigal Using a Māori word to describe my ethnicity is no more divisive than someone insisting on only using an english word to describe it.
Racheal McGonigal Sun 3 May 2015 11:18AM
@john Russell,,, No problem actually with Maori using the word Pakeha. Alas there are no full Maori left, I actually have alot of respect for full Maori and Maori ancestory. but if I must accept Pakeha then Maori need to accept PART - Maori.
But sorry, like many have no time for the wanna bees.
Tis easy to label me a racist but actually who is the racist, if that is done?
Guy Marriage Sun 3 May 2015 11:37AM
@john - not sure why people don't like using the word. The lost etymological origins of the word may put some people off. I'm perfectly happy with it. If anything, to make me feel more a part of Aotearoa, I'd call my tribe Ngati Pakeha. But I think the use of defining somebody as something they are not, is the root of the issue here. Like, having Maori and non-Maori is as equally awkward / insulting as having Pakeha and non-Pakeha, or White and non-White.
Phil (Facilitator) Sun 3 May 2015 10:23PM
Great to hear these points of view.
It's important to remember that ethnicity is self identified, so census needs to record how people see themselves. There are many potential responses to the ethnicity question, but only limited space on the census form so the 'Other' please state category is important.
We looked at the ethnicity measure in 2009 in a review of the official ethnicity statistical standard, you can find this at http://www.stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/people_and_communities/Households/review-of-the-official-ethnicity-statistical-standard-2009.aspx
It's great to have people engaged in this important topic!
John Russell Sun 3 May 2015 10:24PM
The form, on Stats NZ site, 2013 Census form already allows us to mark more than one ethnic group, and there is room for us to add any missing.
For me, I'd like to see "New Zealand European' removed, and replaced with two others: 'New Zealander/Kiwi' and 'Pākehā', and I'd tick both!
Kay · Sun 3 May 2015 7:08AM
I prefer pakeha to NZ European but I will tick either if I don't have the option of specifying my ethnic heritage, and my generational links to New Zealand.