Discrimination

Jenkins · Posted: Fri Dec 05, 2003 5:58 pm Post subject: Discrimination

To everyone who are and have been to New Zealand,

I'm wondering if discrimination exists in NZ for races other than caucasians and for those coming from "third world" countries.

JCM · Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2003 7:33 pm Post subject:

Hi Jenkins and welcome.

I think there is certainly some discrimination here. I have read too many stories about people who have come here with high qualifications from "third world" countries who have been unable to get any work apart from low-paying menial work to think otherwise.

On the other hand, I have met people from India, for example, who are in high paying, high profile jobs. So discrimation is not everywhere. What I have noticed is that highly successful migrants from "third world" countries have perfect English to the extent that they can join in with jokes, etc with customers and colleagues in complete comfort.

Those are my own impressions from living here. Do those impressions agree with what you've heard elsewhere Jenkins?

I'd be interested to hear other people's impressions and what they've heard too.

Jenkins · Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2003 1:43 pm Post subject:

A couple of weeks ago, I read in the papers that "buddy" system is encouraged from the Chinese after they have been subjected to racially motivated assaults.

A friend of mine who is now in Auckland has to dye her hair because she doesn't want to be identified with a certain race. Apparently, some races are unfavored in her community.

I am an American who married a chinese. I'm wondering if my son will be discriminated because of his chinese features.

rodders · Valued Member Joined: 25 Nov 2003 Posts: 134

here's some info about the feelings of some aucklanders re asians and discrimination.

Queen Street dirty and 'full of Asians'
24 December 2003

The main street of New Zealand's biggest city – Auckland – is ugly and overrun with Asians, an Auckland newspaper's readers say.

They also bemoaned expensive parking and congested streets.

The newspaper asked readers to have their say on the Queen St area.

One letter writer – Brent Becroft – said the many Asians in Auckland had driven him to move to Perth.

"I once thought my hometown Auckland was the best spot on earth, and used to love heading into Queen St, but over the (past) five to 10 years, I couldn't think of anything worse," he said.

"If I wanted to live in China, I would emigrate there. I am not alone in my thinking. . .

"So, due to the Government's open-door immigration policy, expect to see a tide of 'True Blue' Kiwis leave our shores as they search for a place where they can live and raise their kids without being beaten up by Islanders or being caught in gunfire from Asian triad gangs."

Simon Briggs said Queen St was a "filthy disgrace" to Auckland.

"Unfortunately it is the first street tourists see after docking in our port. Dirty footpaths, shops full of junk, seedy street vendors.

"Apart from the sea of Asians, it attracts the scruffy low-life of the city. I feel safer walking the streets of Los Angeles, Sydney or Bangkok."

Another writer, Margaret Howe, said the high number of Asians in the Queen St area was intimidating and discouraged her from venturing there during her lunchtimes.

"They hog the footpaths, congregating in large groups outside the doorways and entrances of the countless English language schools, and do not seem to have the courtesy to move aside and let people past."

Others said they disliked the type of shops on Queen St.

Phil Coop said the area had failed to show Auckland off as an international destination city and instead had been allowed to become a "destitute hub of cheap and tacky Asian crap".

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,2766397a10,00.html

rodders · Valued Member Joined: 25 Nov 2003 Posts: 134

Who NZ will let in - new rules
29 December 2003
By MARTIN KAY

Freedom fighters and political prisoners are banned from New Zealand under new skilled-migrant rules but members of race-hate and people-smuggling groups remain eligible.

Character requirements introduced this month automatically bar anyone sentenced to 12 months or more in jail in the past decade, or five or more years at any time. The ban is regardless of whether the sentence was later quashed.

People who admit to being members of groups based on "hostility" toward other races are still eligible for entry, though they must explain their involvement. Applicants who admit they are members of people-smuggling gangs will also be considered under the new rules.

Council for Civil Liberties acting chairman Michael Bott said the new rules were "a joke" and looked as though they were "written by a buffoon".

The new rules are part of an overhaul of the skilled-migrant category, which has been changed to try to match overseas skills to local shortages. In the process, the "good character" requirements also changed, barring anyone who answers yes to nine questions on the application form.

These include questions about prison terms and whether a person has been a member of groups advocating or involved in "terrorist" or "criminal" acts. The form does not define either term.

Applicants who move past this section are asked a further 11 questions – including whether they have been in a race-hate or people-smuggling organisation. Applicants who answer yes to these are able to apply, but must explain their responses.

Mr Bott said the rules excluded people such as a modern-day Nelson Mandela, the anti-apartheid fighter who was sentenced to jail for conspiracy to commit sabotage before becoming South Africa's first freely elected president. Other freedom fighters, political prisoners and people wrongly convicted of a crime and later pardoned would also be excluded.

At the same time, however, members of race-hate groups such as the Ku Klux Klan could be accepted if they could adequately explain their involvement.

Lower Hutt immigration consultant Rosemarie Thomas, who pointed out the anomalies, said membership of a group engaged in or advocating "criminal activities" potentially banned law-abiding members of organisations such as Greenpeace. A "terrorist" group could also include groups that legitimately fought despotic regimes, such as the French resistance during World War II.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,2769138a10,00.html

Spencer · Testing The Water Joined: 26 Dec 2003 Posts: 7