NZ and Asia: Reaching out across the cultural divide

John Berry (left) and Su Shuai.

The Herald put three questions to seven people about ties with Asia.

1. Does New Zealand need to foster stronger links with Asia?

2. Should New Zealanders learn Asian languages, culture or history?

3. How are Asians in New Zealand treated?

Here are their responses:


John Berry, 27, medical emergency assistance worker:

* Yes. New Zealand looks to other countries rather than Asian for trade and stuff, but the Asian nations are closer neighbours and the best for the future.
* It might help, but I don't think there is a need because internationally people use English as their business language anyway.
* Generally New Zealanders are pretty friendly people, so they are treated pretty well.


Duncan Allen, 29, retail management:

* Probably not. I think we have enough.
* No. It's probably more important to learn about our own culture first.
* Not very well. I get the feeling a lot of people feel there are too many in the country and they're taking over, especially in Auckland, so we don't treat them as decent people.


Fa'aati Frost, 53, hospital worker, Samoan descent, lived in NZ for 19 years:

* Maybe. But Asians are money-making people. They have a lot of business here and I feel sorry for the New Zealand people.
* No. If we want to know more about Samoa, we go to Samoa. If we want to know about New Zealand, we stay here.
* Very well. In church as well, the people are kind to them.


Santokh Singh, 30, taxi driver, from New Delhi, India, in New Zealand for five years:

* Yes, because Europe and Australia are already at the top, but Asian countries are growing very fast, especially India and China.
* No, it is not necessary but it could be helpful.
* I've never had any problem. People are nice and Indian visitors say it's nice.


Su Shuai, 22, business diploma student, from Quangdong, China, been here three years:

* The free trade agreement is important. It can increase New Zealand's imports.
* The Kiwis need to know the facts of China now, rather than China as it was 10 years ago.
* I had a friend who was beaten up by two Kiwis and the police didn't help us. When I'm driving, sometimes Kiwis say "f***ing Asians".


Gao Ang, 22, hospitality student, from Kunming, China, in NZ for three years and six months:

* It's better than it used to be, but I think they have to target more in China because it's the largest market and a big opportunity.
* Yes, because language is a basic function for communication. If they are interested in the culture, and what's happening in China, they need to know the languages.
* It was better when I first arrived. Maybe it's because some Asians did some bad things here, like car accidents.


Irene Wong, 53, sandwich maker, from Malaysia, in New Zealand for three years:

* I'm not so sure on economics but as far as I read in the papers, they are doing quite well.
* If they want to, why not? It's good for them to learn about other cultures.
* It is easy to get a job if you don't mind what it is, but New Zealanders employ their own people first and we are second choice.