For ages, people living in Aotearoa New Zealand have been regarded as role models for the rest of the world, known for their fine civic sense, friendly behaviour, can-do attitude and welcoming nature towards strangers.
Kiwis have long been recognised for punching above their weight, leading disciplined lives and going the extra mile to help those in need. But all these positive traits seem to be coming to an end—or, at the very least, are slowly changing.
A certain section of Kiwi society appears to be turning increasingly hostile towards neighbours, fellow passengers on the roads and people on the streets. And while the New Zealand government continues to open its doors to migrants, some citizens appear to be becoming less accepting of these new members of the community.
The hostile behaviour of some Kiwis is creating an atmosphere of fear, anxiety and distrust within the community. In recent years, violent behaviour against migrant communities, particularly Indian migrants, has been on the rise.
Graffiti such as ‘kill all Indians’ is not only deeply un-Kiwi and completely out of step with the nature and behaviour of Kiwis at large, but it also gives a bad reputation to Kiwi society as a whole.
What these disgruntled Kiwis fail to understand is that these are legitimate migrants to New Zealand, and they contribute positively to the country’s economic growth.
Many new Indian migrants work more than one job to earn a livelihood, support their families and save for a secure future. Why should a section of Kiwis feel threatened by or jealous of such a hardworking, law-abiding and tax-paying community? It is often the disgruntled lot who live on government support and have little ambition or motivation in their own lives, except to blame others or migrants for their failures. Unfortunately, this frustration can manifest itself in violent, hostile and uncivilised behaviour.
A recent survey report has highlighted the strong economic contribution of nearly 300k strong Indian community, which contributes around $38 billion to New Zealand’s GDP—equivalent to 8.6% of the country’s total GDP, while the community accounts for only 6% of the population.
This contribution is equivalent to approximately 220,000 full-time jobs, making the Indian community one of the most economically active communities in the country. Indian migrants are also among those least reliant on government benefits, and they can be found across virtually every sector and level of employment—from a security guard at the most basic level to the CEO of the country’s national carrier.
One of the best things Indian migrants have done is remain connected to their roots, culture and traditions, while bringing those traditions with them to the country they have chosen as their new home. Celebrating their festivals and days of national importance in New Zealand is an important part of that cultural connection. Yet, this is something some of these disgruntled Kiwis appear not to like.
They become irked by such celebrations and resort to abusing people and hurling filthy language through online channels—behaviour that does not go unnoticed and is seen by people around the world. Such behaviour ultimately gives New Zealand a bad reputation as a peaceful, friendly and welcoming country.
This small group of ill-informed Kiwis needs to understand the difference between legitimate migrants who work, pay taxes and contribute to the economy, and refugees who may be receiving government support. They cannot treat everyone with the same yardstick.
The disgruntled Kiwis need to understand that, in today’s interconnected world, no country can prosper in isolation without collaborating with friendly nations. It is time for both countries to make the most of the recently signed FTA and unlock its opportunities.
Both countries need to support each other, and New Zealand should tap into the vast economic opportunities offered by a market as large as India. Experts believe, this agreement will prove more beneficial to New Zealand than India.
People must understand that hostility towards citizens of a friendly nation only damages New Zealand’s reputation and risks closing the door to valuable opportunities and a better future.
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