Monday, 04 December 2023
KaitaiaWhangareiDargavilleAucklandThamesTaurangaHamiltonWhakataneRotoruaTokoroaTe KuitiTaumarunuiTaupoGisborneNew PlymouthNapierHastingsDannevirkeWhanganuiPalmerston NorthLevinParaparaumuMastertonWellingtonMotuekaNelsonBlenheimWestportReeftonKaikouraGreymouthHokitikaChristchurchAshburtonTimaruWanakaOamaruQueenstownDunedinGoreInvercargill
NZ HeraldThe Northern AdvocateThe Northland AgeThe AucklanderWaikato HeraldBay Of Plenty TimesRotorua Daily PostHawke's Bay TodayWhanganui ChronicleThe Stratford PressManawatu GuardianKapiti NewsHorowhenua ChronicleTe Awamutu CourierVivaEat WellOneRoofDRIVEN Car GuideThe CountryPhoto SalesiHeart RadioRestaurant Hub
Voyager 2023 media awards
Subscribe

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.
Home / New Zealand

'Pakeha' not a dirty word - survey

Herald online
5 Feb, 2013 04:26 AM2 mins to read
Saveshare

Share this article

facebookcopy linktwitterlinkedinredditemail
File photo / Steven McNicholl

File photo / Steven McNicholl

The results of a new survey are challenging the myth that New Zealanders use "Pakeha" as a derogatory term.

The large scale New Zealand Attitudes and Values Study, which surveys thousands of New Zealanders every year on a wide range of topics, found "no evidence whatsoever" that the term Pakeha reflected any negative attitudes towards New Zealanders of European descent.

Rather, the findings indicated that the choice by Maori to use the term was linked to how strongly they identify as Maori, said co-researcher Dr Carla Houkamau.

"The choice to use Te Reo is part of identity - rather than anything to do with Maori attitudes toward New Zealanders of European descent," she said.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

The study was carried out by Houkamau, Dr Chris Sibley and Dr William Hoverd - all from the University of Auckland.

"Our data show that Maori who prefer the term Pakeha to other descriptions, such as 'New Zealand European', 'Kiwi', or 'New Zealander', tend to view their own ethnicity as a more central to their self-concept," said Sibley, who led the survey.

The survey asked a wide range of questions, from race relations to religious beliefs and personality types, said Houkamau.

News Zealanders of European descent were also found to display a generally warm attitude towards Maori, but those who referred to themselves as Pakeha held more positive views of Maori than those who opted for "New Zealander" or "New Zealand European".

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

"Our findings suggest that Europeans who prefer to use the term Pakeha to describe themselves, are likely expressing a desire to recognise a positive relationship with Maori," Sibley said.

Findings also showed that the use of the term "Pakeha" was low overall at 14 per cent, compared with "New Zealander" which was used by 50 per cent of those surveyed.

Of the total 6518 people surveyed, 1163 were Maori and 4618 New Zealanders of European descent.

- nzherald.co.nz

Related articles

Lifestyle

TV cuts sperm count

05 Feb 04:30 PM
Saveshare

Share this article

facebookcopy linktwitterlinkedinredditemail

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Latest from New Zealand

Crime

Meth dealer set up shop inside drug rehab facility, Crown alleges at trial

04 Dec 03:52 AM
PoliticsUpdated

Watch live: 'Massive fiscal hole'. Finance minister slams previous Govt

04 Dec 03:50 AM
Kahu

Third-generation equestrian sets sights on Olympics qualification

04 Dec 03:49 AM
New Zealand

Major evening delays due soon on Hamilton to Tauranga route

04 Dec 03:37 AM

Top toys of 2023 for kids & ‘kidults’

sponsored

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Latest from New Zealand

Meth dealer set up shop inside drug rehab facility, Crown alleges at trial

Meth dealer set up shop inside drug rehab facility, Crown alleges at trial

04 Dec 03:52 AM

Given the location, defence lawyers say there are plenty of other potential suspects.

Watch live: 'Massive fiscal hole'. Finance minister slams previous Govt

Watch live: 'Massive fiscal hole'. Finance minister slams previous Govt

04 Dec 03:50 AM
Third-generation equestrian sets sights on Olympics qualification

Third-generation equestrian sets sights on Olympics qualification

04 Dec 03:49 AM
Major evening delays due soon on Hamilton to Tauranga route

Major evening delays due soon on Hamilton to Tauranga route

04 Dec 03:37 AM
Toy trends for Christmas
sponsored

Toy trends for Christmas

About NZMEHelp & SupportContact UsSubscribe to NZ HeraldHouse Rules
Manage Your Print SubscriptionNZ Herald E-EditionAdvertise with NZMEBook Your AdPrivacy Policy
Terms of UseCompetition Terms & ConditionsSubscriptions Terms & Conditions
© Copyright 2023 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP