Abstract:
Although Chile has now returned to democracy, a number of Chileans who
came to New Zealand as refugees have chosen not to return. Participantobservation
was conducted with the Latin American community in Auckland, and
interviews were held with ten New Zealand Chilean women. The research
investigates Chilean refugee women's experiences in reconstructing their lives
around a future in New Zealand, comparing participants' perceptions with current
theories on ethnicity, community, and the effects of exile.
Chileans in New Zealand are now part of a larger Latin American grouping
which promotes a pan-ethnic community ethic most visible at community events.
They have experienced a shift in 'centre of gravity', going beyond the liminality
experienced by many other refugees and migrants. Their long-term relocation has
caused changes in bases for ethnic self-ascription due to their change in status from
majority to 'other', which in turn has led to a generational shift in self-defined
ethnicity.
Keywords: Refugees; Ethnicity; Community; Chilean; New Zealand; Women;
Migration; Exile.
