Tūi Tūi Tuituiā

Urgent need to curb racial harassment online

Online media continues to be a growing space for racial harassment, with the Human Rights Commission receiving reports of harmful speech and racially offensive content posted on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, as well as blogs, online discussion forums and comment boards. What makes online media such a prime place for racial bullying is that information is easy to create and disemminate and the author can often remain anonymous. Even when alerted, some website hosts and Internet service providers fail to remove or moderate clearly offensive material.

In 2013, a Harmful Digital Communications Bill was introduced to Parliament setting out a range of measures to combat cyber-bullying and digital harassment. Under the proposed new laws, those responsible for harmful digital communications could receive up to three months in jail or a $2000 fine. Courts would have the power to order individuals, Internet service providers and social media sites to remove or correct harmful material, apologise, give complainants a right of reply, and disclose the identity of anonymous sources.

The Law Commission undertook a comprehensive review of media regulation in the digital age, recommending that a single, independent watchdog for print, broadcasting and online news be introduced. The Government opted not to implement its recommendations.

The issue of racial harassment via the Internet was identified by the United Nations duringthe Universal Periodic Review of human rights in Aotearoa New Zealand 2013−14. It has recommended New Zealand take action to develop a legislative framework for addressing incitement to racial hatred on the Internet.

What you can do – guidelines from the Human Rights Commission if you come across offensive material

1. 
   If you feel personally threatened by the comments, contact the Police.
   
2. 
   Report the material to the social media organisation involved (Facebook, YouTube etc) using the site’s own reporting system.
   
3. 
   If nothing happens through the site’s own process, contact your internet service provider.
   
4. 
   For further advice on reporting or challenging offensive online comment, see www.netsafe.org.nz.
   

Comment fails to breach media standards

During a live broadcast from Riccarton Park racecourse, one of the hosts of the ZM drive show said to her co-hosts, “You’ve obviously watched the race. I know you haven’t put any bets on because you’re both Jews.” The Broadcasting Standards Authority did not uphold the complaint saying that while the comment was ignorant and perpetuated stereotypes it did not reach the high threshold necessary for encouraging the denigration of, or discrimination against, Jewish people as a section of the community.

Press Council uphold race complaints

The Press Council upheld a complaint that a Waikato Times article placed unnecessary emphasis on the race of two men found guilty of rape. The men were described by the paper as being of Fijian-Indian descent. The Council upheld the complaint that the pair’s ethnicity was of no relevance to their crime and reference to it was gratuitous.

It also firmly criticised an article in The Press (Weekend) newspaper which implied that an increase in chlamydia in the Canterbury region was linked to Irish workers. The Council said that the link between Irish nationals and the sexual health statistics was of the newspaper’s making and not supported by any reported information. It also said that a cartoon accompanying the article was inappropriate and offensive to many.

Te rangahau whānui o te rerekētanga – Diversity research

Overview

Contributed by Professor Colleen Ward, Centre for Applied Cross-Cultural Research, Victoria University of Wellington
Aotearoa New Zealand continues to become more culturally, ethnically, linguistically and religiously diverse. Diversity research is required to ensure Aotearoa New Zealand remains innovative and competitive on the global stage, while safeguarding social cohesion and wellbeing across our varied communities.

This year’s body of research relating to ethnic and cultural diversity provides knowledge that can feed and inform the work of policy and decision-makers at the highest levels.

Diversity researchers face a number of challenges. These include ensuring there is increased synergy between researchers and stakeholders as well as addressing the gaps in the production, distribution and application of research by decision-makers. Sufficient funding also continues to be a serious challenge, impacting on the topics selected and the depth of research available. For example, diversity is not recognised in the National Science Challenges, despite being a fundamental area of required focus for Aotearoa New Zealand over the next 20 years.

The following is a summary of some of the cultural diversity research published in 2013. It was compiled by Alicia Arnold, Centre for Applied Cross-Cultural Research, Victoria University of Wellington. Emerging projects and papers on cultural diversity in Aotearoa New Zealand can be accessed on the CACR website: www.victoria.ac.nz/cacr.

University Research Units

Centre for Applied Cross-Cultural Research, Victoria University of Wellington

Multiculturalism: The cause of social problems or the cure for social ills?

This paper examines multiculturalism and its impact on the psychological wellbeing of immigrant youth. Three aspects of multiculturalism are investigated: cultural diversity in the population; multicultural policy and the psychology of everyday multiculturalism (positive and negative attitudes toward immigrants). Alongside the negative effects of perceived discrimination, the results showed that: 1) diversity per se was associated with negative outcomes for immigrant youth (i.e. predicted lower levels of self-esteem); 2) multicultural policies were associated with positive outcomes (i.e. predicted higher levels of self-esteem; and 3) widespread negative attitudes towards immigrants were associated with negative outcomes (i.e. predicted lower levels of life satisfaction). The research directly addresses controversies about multiculturalism and has significant policy implications for immigrant wellbeing.

Researchers: Prof. Colleen Ward and Dr Jaimee Stuart

Contact: [e-mail] and [e-mail]

Mapping the psychological state of the nation: A barometer test of New Zealand’s multicultural status

This study looks at differences in the way ethnic groups view ethnic equality, prejudice and intolerance; positive attitudes toward diversity; patriotism and identity. It found that expectations of race-based rejection were uncommon, intergroup feelings were generally warm, perceived threat was moderately low, expectations for future security were moderate and fairly comparable across groups, and all groups expressed high levels of patriotism. However, New Zealanders resisted a resource-specific multicultural ideology that involves race-based interventions to reduce social inequality. There was also evidence that the level of warmth toward Asian New Zealanders was lower than that toward other ethnic groups. The findings are discussed in relation to socio-political issues, including tensions between biculturalism and multiculturalism and the obstacles to reducing social inequality across ethnic groups.

Published in the International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 37(6), 700-713.

Researchers: Dr Chris G. Sibley, Auckland University and Prof. Colleen Ward, Centre for Applied Cross-cultural Research, Victoria University of Wellington

Contact: [e-mail]

Cultural intelligence predicts intercultural negotiation effectiveness

This research project examines if cultural intelligence (CQ), an ability to adapt and perform effectively in intercultural situations, can predict effectiveness in intercultural negotiations. The researchers paired negotiators from different cultures and New Zealanders to examine the effect of CQ on intercultural negotiations. Findings show that cultural intelligence predicts intercultural negotiation effectiveness, while controlling for cognitive ability, emotional intelligence, and personality. Researchers found that overall CQ drove intercultural negotiation outcomes rather than any one particular factor. The findings also highlighted the importance of both migrants and existing New Zealanders having high cultural intelligence.

Contact: Yee-Wei Ooi [e-mail] and Dr Ronald Fischer [e-mail]

Disabled refugees storytelling

Disabled refugees are often invisible to disability services, compounding an already difficult resettlement experience. This project looked at the reasons for the low uptake of disability services among former refugees. It recommended that steps be taken to address cultural norms about disability; to support the emergence of community leadership amongst former refugees and to review inter-agency collaboration practices to ensure that support for disabled individuals is prioritised. Using oral storytelling methodology, families who had already navigated disability services, were able to offer helpful insight into this issue and raise awareness amongst former refugee communities of the services available.

Available at: http://tinyurl.com/refugees-stories

Contact: Dr Annick Janson [e-mail]

School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies, Victoria University of Wellington

Language in the Workplace

The Wellington Language in the Workplace team collected material from building sites and in eldercare facilities turning it into language teaching resources for refugees and migrants. The project developed materials on ‘Humour in the building and eldercare sectors’ and ‘Language in the workplace for refugees’. Because the target audience is low-proficiency English users, the materials are audio and picture based.

Contact: Prof. Janet Holmes [e-mail] or visit www.victoria.ac.nz/lals/lwp

School of Social and Cultural Studies, Victoria University of Wellington

New Zealand’s ban on kosher slaughtering

In 2010, the New Zealand Government introduced the rule that, in the interest of animal welfare, all animals slaughtered for commercial purposes were required to be stunned before being killed. This rule followed recommendations by the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee and studies by veterinary scientists and it effectively banned the Jewish practice of kosher slaughtering. Members of the Jewish community went to the High Court alleging that the ban infringed on their constitutional rights. The complex issue of humane animal treatment versus civil liberties proved to be instructive as a local example of cultural politics.

Contact: Dr. Hal Levine [e-mail]

Black Rainbow: Māori and Pākehā working across difference

This PhD thesis examined the impacts of colonialism on the interpersonal experiences of Māori and Pākehā involved in anarchist organising in Wellington. . . Research into Black Rainbow, a collective of five Māori and two Pākehā activists revealed the difficulties of working across difference in Pākehā dominated communities, where Pākehā often undermine or tokenise Māori identity, respond insensitively to Māori concerns and fail to share power.

Contact: Rachael Fabish [e-mail])

Ngā Tāngata Oho Mairangi (NTOM), Massey University

Ngā Tāngata Oho Mairangi

This research project provides a detailed model of the significant demographic and economic changes that are altering the shape and nature of New Zealand communities and the country’s economic development. It focuses on changes at regional level over the period 1986 to 2013, and will provide projections out to 2036.

Ngā Tāngata Oho Mairangi is a two year research project led by teams from Massey University and the University of Waikato (NIDEA) and is funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. The research programme involves a mixed-method, multi-site approach and comprises six stages, each designed to examine population change and its impact at sub-regional levels.

Contact: Dr. Trudie Cain [e-mail] or visit http://www.ngatangata.ac.nz

Integration of Immigrants Programme, Massey University

Superdiversity in global cities

This project looks at the nature of diversity and superdiversity in cities around the world. . . The project is hosted by the Max Planck Institute of Religious and Ethnic Diversity (Gottingen) and uses novel research techniques to record and explore the nature of lived/everyday diversity in cities where there are significant migrant and ethnic communities. Auckland has now been added as a city in the Integration of Immigrants Programme and Ngā Tāngata Oho Mairangi will contribute to comparative material on diversity in cities.

Contact: Distinguished Prof. Paul Spoonley [e-mail]

Anti-Semitism in Aotearoa

This project updates earlier research on the nature of 20th and 21st century anti-Semitism in New Zealand. . . Some of this research appeared as a book chapter (Jewish Lives in New Zealand, edited by Len Bell and Diana Morrow), the Mina McKenzie Memorial Lecture (2013) and a report on the Jewish community in New Zealand (which followed an online survey of Jewish identity and experiences). . . An off-shoot of this project involves historical research on New Zealander Jim Robb’s ground breaking research on anti-Semitism in the East End of London in the 1930s.

Contact: Distinguished Prof. Paul Spoonley [e-mail]

School of Communication, Journalism and Marketing, Massey University

Acculturative experiences of elderly Chinese immigrants in New Zealand

This study examines the acculturative experiences, filial responsibilities and intergenerational communication between elderly Chinese immigrants and their adult children in Wellington, New Zealand. The study found that levels of economic feasibility, acculturation and self-support for Chinese elderly immigrants determined the probability and desirability of living arrangements (in the form of co-residence or independent living). Changes in economic and social status, roles, intergenerational boundaries and the changed socio-cultural environments challenged the Chinese traditional concept of filial piety and weakened the ties and bonds between the elderly migrants and their adult children. The study highlights the importance of care for the general wellbeing and the quality of life of the elderly Chinese immigrants in New Zealand.

Contact: Dr. Mingsheng Li [e-mail]

Department of Primary Healthcare and General Practice, University of Otago Wellington

The use of interpreters in general practice: Observing consultations

Communication is crucial to the doctor-patient relationship and the health outcomes of the individual. Patients that do not have adequate English to get optimal care, ideally require an interpreter. However, little research has been done to determine exactly how interpreted consultations are carried out, or how effective such consultations are from the perspective of all participants. . . This study, currently in progress, directly observes communication during GP consultations, where an interpreter is used. It aims to describe the key features of effective communication in interpreted consultations from the perspectives of patients, health practitioners and interpreters.

Researchers: Maria Stubbe, Ben Gray, Jo Hilder, Tony Dowell, and Lindsay Macdonald

Contact: Ben Gray [e-mail] and Maria Stubbe [e-mail]