Hillary's 'can do' spirit still inspires

Sir Edmund Hillary. Photo / NZPA

New Zealanders increasingly feel closer to Asia, are keen for Maori to be taught in schools and are desperate to hold on to their state assets, a study on our national identity shows.

The survey by Research New Zealand investigated what made up our national character - how we liked to present ourselves to the world, our fears for the future, and what we were most proud of in our nation's history.

Half of the 1250 people surveyed said they had a strong affinity with New Zealand, and those who had a shared affinity said they felt strongly about the United Kingdom (43 per cent), Australia (21 per cent) and Asia (13 per cent).

The report's authors said our allegiance to Europe was gradually shifting towards Asia.

"With recent immigration movements, these responses are likely to increase."

Support has dwindled for New Zealand becoming a republic, with only 15 per cent keen for the country to assert its independence. This marked a huge fall from 42 per cent in favour of a New Zealand republic in 2009.

Asked how New Zealand could best "show its face" either within its borders or to the world, the most popular answer was making te reo compulsory in New Zealand schools.

However, this was also the most polarising choice, with 28 per cent strongly disagreeing Maori should be a mandatory part of the curriculum.

The National government's proposed asset sales also hit a sour note among respondents.

More than half of New Zealanders strongly agreed that state assets should not be sold, either partially or entirely, and only 14 per cent whole-heartedly agreed with the controversial sell-off.

Kiwis were similarly possessive about New Zealand farms, with nearly half of those polled keen to keep agricultural property in local ownership.

This result was significant given that the Overseas Investment Office was at the time considering whether to sell the Crafar dairy farms to a Shanghai investment group.

The study looked at what New Zealand achievements the public was most proud of, and in a year in which the All Blacks finally reclaimed the elusive Rugby World Cup, respondents overwhelmingly said international sporting achievements were at the heart of their national pride.

New Zealand's strong democratic principles and ingenuity in science were also cited as achievements we cherished.

And Sir Edmund Hillary's world-first ascent of Mt Everest, 58 years ago, is something many Kiwis still hold up as a national treasure. Peter Hillary said his father's energetic, "keep on going" attitude was one many Kiwis could identify with.

"One of my father's great talents was his capability to reinvent himself. He didn't just sit on his laurels and think 'I'm the first person to climb Everest'. He went on to continue to inspire others ... he just kept doing things. The strength of this small country is that people do feel that they can do something."

NATIONAL IDENTITY

44%
call themselves a "New Zealander", and 20% a "Kiwi"

15%
want to become a republic

19%
want a new flag

53%
oppose a sell-off of state assets

17%
support selling farms to overseas owners

30%
say te reo should be compulsory in school

ACHIEVEMENTS NEW ZEALANDERS ARE PARTICULARLY PROUD OF

41%
Sporting teams and sporting achievements

20%
Political and social principles

14%
Sir Edmund Hillary climbing Mt Everest

7%
Kiwi ingenuity (scientific achievements, research and development)

7%
New Zealand culture (friendly, laid-back, helpful, caring, peaceful)

6%
Lord Rutherford splitting the atom