Tūi Tūi Tuituiā

Census reveals Aotearoa’s ethnic diversity

Aotearoa New Zealand has more ethnicities than there are countries in the world, according to the 2013 Census.¹ Of the 4.24 million people living in New Zealand, a quarter were born overseas and the ethnic diversity of our country has increased markedly since the last Census in 2006.

Our five largest ethnic groups are European, Māori, Chinese, Samoan, and Indian.

Some of the biggest increases since 2006 include Chinese – up 16 per cent to 171,000 people, Indian – up 48 per cent to 155,000, and Filipino – more than doubled to 40,000. There is also a continued increase in the number of New Zealanders of Middle Eastern, African and Latin American descent.

Our most youthful populations are Māori and Pacific peoples, with a median age almost 20 years younger than that of New Zealand Europeans.

Auckland has been confirmed as one of the most diverse cities in the world, with the largest Pacific population and nearly two-thirds of New Zealand’s Asian population living in the region.

Our country’s growing ethnic diversity and citizenship is having an increasing affect on the foods we eat and the sports we play, through to the cultural events celebrated throughout the country.

More than ever, these demographic changes present us with new opportunities to adapt, change mind-sets, challenge racism and promote harmonious relations.
Figures from the 2013 Census are available at: www.stats.govt.nz/Census/2013-census.

Conversation on Constitution set to continue

Events and discussions took place across the nation this year as New Zealanders were asked their views on the future of our country’s constitutional arrangements and how it can reflect our values and aspirations.

The Constitutional Review, led by a Constitutional Advisory Panel, provided a chance to look at the sets of rules determining how our country is run and how laws are made. The wide-ranging review also asked about the potential place of the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act and the Treaty in a constitution and sought views on electoral matters, including Māori seats in Parliament.

The Human Rights Commission looked at the human rights aspects of a constitution and consulted with communities. In its submission, the Commission advocated for New Zealanders to have the opportunity for a longer conversation on constitutional matters. It recommended a constitution be developed based on the Treaty and by the Treaty partners while also advising protection for the Treaty in New Zealand law. The Commission also called for the incorporation of all civil and political rights into the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act along with better protection of the economic, social, cultural and property rights of New Zealanders.

Alongside the official review, other groups came forward to debate aspects of Aotearoa New Zealand’s future constitutional arrangements. Aotearoa Matike Mai, an Independent Iwi Constitutional Working Group headed by Professor Margaret Mutu and lawyer Moana Jackson, held hui around the country to discuss how a constitution might be based upon the Treaty. Peace Movement Aotearoa facilitated discussion among those looking to explore values-based and Treaty-based constitutional arrangements. The Independent Constitutional Review Panel led by Dr Muriel Newman advocated for the removal of any reference to the Treaty or its principles in any constitutional document or legislation.

The Constitutional Advisory Panel considered the information and feedback it received from individuals and groups from across Aotearoa New Zealand and published its report in December 2013.² It recommended that the national conversation about constitutional change should continue and the Government should support people to find out more about current arrangements and options for the future.

The Panel recommended that a national education strategy be implemented in schools and the community, focusing on civics, citizenship and the role of the Treaty. It also suggested that our current constitutional arrangements should be more easily accessible and understood, and the Panel supported ongoing discussion over whether or not there was any merit in assembling our constitutional protections together in a single statute.

Affirming the central importance of the Treaty to Aotearoa New Zealand, the Panel also suggested that a process be set up to discuss and develop a range of options for the future role of the Treaty, including options within existing constitutional arrangements and arrangements in which the Treaty is the foundation.
The Panel also called for an investigation into how Māori representation in Parliament and local government decision-making might be improved. It recommended that options for amending The New Zealand Bill of Rights Act be explored including: adding economic, social and cultural rights, property rights and environmental rights; improving compliance with the Act; and strengthening the position of the Act in law.

The Government has yet to respond to the Panel’s recommendations.

The submissions made to the Constitutional Advisory Panel and its final report are available at: www.ourconstitution.org.nz.

The Commission dedicated its annual Race Relations Day programme of events to helping people engage in the constitutional review. During 2013, a number of workshops and community events took place across the country asking people to articulate their dreams for the future of Aotearoa New Zealand. Of the many dreams shared, 1357 were collected and recorded. People said that they wanted Aotearoa New Zealand to be a place where people didn’t experience discrimination because of their race. They wanted a government that reflected the needs of all communities. They wanted to feel safe in their homes and in public places and they wanted the many peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand to have a shared sense of belonging.