Tauranga dinner discusses racism

Ngāi Te Rangi's chief executive Paora Stanley.

A dinner discussing racism and how to combat it has showcased a variety of views from a diverse range of Tauranga's people.

Four speakers from Tauranga and race relations commissioner Meng Foon shared their thoughts and experiences at the Breaking the Barriers community dinner.

Rhema Chatiya Nantham wanted to highlight micro aggressions and her experience of them since moving to New Zealand.

The PhD candidate is a third culture kid, which are children that live in different countries and cultures because of their parents' careers.

Born in Malaysia, she grew up in the Philippines and attended international schools so meeting people of all cultures was the norm for her.

It wasn't until moving to New Zealand for university, that Rhema realised her way of life was different and that the majority of people she met, lived and went to school in the same place for most of their lives.

She had really positive experiences at university but upon joining the workforce and marrying a Kiwi man she began to notice some discrimination.

'It's the microaggression of discrimination that really gets to you.”

Rhema spoke about how acceptance is the way forward rather than tolerance.

'My thoughts are we need to be accepting, we need to stop seeing difference in a discriminatory way and really appreciate that difference. Aotearoa is my true home now.”

Yvonne Kalman was a university student in China, then in 1989 she escaped to New Zealand after the Tiananmen Square massacre.

She has lived and worked in both New Zealand and the United States since then and said she hasn't experienced discrimination during her time in either country.

'My experiences may be different from a lot of other Asian New Zealanders or Asian Americans.”

Yvonne says people shouldn't put too much emphasis on different races or different appearances because if you pay too much attention to those things it's easier to have misunderstandings.

'We just should immerse ourselves naturally into the society wherever we live.”

Karen Gibney moved to New Zealand from Chile 20 years ago and said she has always felt welcome and comfortable here.

She says when she first got here, there was no social media and not much technology so a few people didn't know where Chile was or what the culture was like.

Karen says she didn't take it the wrong way or that is was discrimination. She accepted that people didn't know about her culture, just like she didn't know about Kiwi culture at first.

'We just need to learn about each other and when we understand each other, then we can communicate big time.”

Ngāi Te Rangi's chief executive Paora Stanley spoke about his experiences of discrimination and that Maori understand how difficult it can be to be different.

'The racism that occurs in this country had its testing ground on my people and then they went to Chinese, then they went to Indian, and anybody else who was different.”

He says when faced with racism, people need to be brave to challenge and resist it.

Paora knows what it feels like to live in another country and not know anybody. When he first lived in Quebec he drove 14 hours to Michigan 'to go to a gosh darn hangi with a whole bunch of Maoris”.

'I know what it feels like to miss your people.”

While in Quebec he spent time on a first nation reserve, where he was welcomed by those people, because of that experience he suggested there be a powhiri for all visitors, permanent or temporary, to New Zealand.

'Why don't we work together and have an open powhiri for all new, New Zealanders.”

Meng Foon talks about how it's important to be proud of who you are.

Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon talked about how diversity is a given for the future of Tauranga.

'Let's think of diversity as all of us that are here, from different backgrounds, from different countries, disabled people, LGBQTI, whoever we are, we are all human beings, that is the fundamental thing that we shall believe in.”

He says events like the Breaking the Barriers dinner are important.

'I think sharing stories is quintessential, knowing the back story of where people come from, how they have arrived in Aotearoa, their experiences.”

The dinner was a joint venture between the New Zealand China Friendship Society and Multicultural Tauranga.

7 comments

Hmmm

Posted on 14-05-2021 13:53 | By Let's get real

Sometimes claims of racism are financially and politically beneficial. I was a new migrant many years ago, but it doesn't suit the current narrative to identify the people who made settlement in a new country difficult. Surprisingly, I started with nothing but a basic education and after working base level jobs and paying for further education relevant to employment opportunities, I now live comfortably without ever receiving government handouts or special assistance through educational courses. Perception is difficult for some.


RACISM for All

Posted on 14-05-2021 14:30 | By Sandyshirl

Pakeha are treated as racist. Didnt use to be hardly any racism between Pakeha & Maori. Now with Jacinda.....shes causing alot of it. We are ALL NEW ZEALANDERS so everyone should be treated the same. Imagine if we had NZ Pakeha Rugby teams, schools, etc. There would be an uproar...Winston Peter's had it right when he said (we are one).... Shame Jacinda doesnt see that.


Well

Posted on 14-05-2021 15:30 | By Honesty is the best Policy

Well i must say jacinda is the worst prime Minister we have ever have she needs to go if she dosnt out country will be doomed all the promises for housing etc


Racist being Racist

Posted on 14-05-2021 21:38 | By All4one

Worst time in history to be white... Born in the 1980s but because your white your labeled a Racist even though you view every race as equal. This PC culture will be the end of it all. I wish I could of sailed here in the 1350s to claim this land as my own.


Hmmmm

Posted on 15-05-2021 10:21 | By Yadick

I wonder if anyone stood at the back throwing tantrums and howling the speakers down . . .


Perception.

Posted on 15-05-2021 14:29 | By morepork

I am a European Kiwi born in Wellington. I was born a long time ago but I had enlightened parents. "Take people as you find them. NO prejudice on Race, Sex, Culture, Religion, or anything else. If they treat you right, they are OK and you do the same by them. Respect all Humans and do your best by them." This approach came out of the old Kiwi adage of EVERYONE getting a "fair go". (I still live by this approach and I embrace and enjoy diversity.) But since then we have people who see an eye to the "main chance" and it turns out recently, there is a secret movement to replace our Democratic Government with a separate house to represent 20% of the population. People make a living out of misinterpreting the Treaty of Waitangi, and any dissent is shouted down as "Racism". Conversation? I wish...


@ morepork

Posted on 17-05-2021 12:12 | By Yadick

One of your very best written comments. Your parents were so right and you are so right to be following in their wise footsteps. If only we could get back to that today because it is still very relevant. Awesome comment morepork, awesome.


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