Perceptions of Maori among new Chinese migrants in New Zealand : the role of Chinese language media

Abstract

The relationship between Maori and Chinese migrants has attracted increasing interest in recent years. Most studies have investigated the attitude of Maori towards new Chinese migrants. New Chinese migrants' perceptions of Maori and the likelihood of media influence on those perceptions have rarely been looked at. This study aims to elucidate the perceptions of new Chinese migrants towards Maori and discover the possible influence of the local Chinese media on the formation of those views. A quantitative questionnaire survey of 50 new Chinese migrants was undertaken to quantify the perceptions of new Chinese migrants towards Maori and Maori-related issues. It also investigated participants' media consumption patterns and their personal interactions with Maori. A content analysis of Maori-related reports in the local Chinese media was carried out simultaneously to investigate how Maori were portrayed. The survey found that most Chinese participants had negative perceptions of Maori and were wary about the indigenous rights of Maori. Most participants had no or only limited personal contact with Maori. Interestingly, those who had some personal contact with Maori regarded the contact as positive experience. The survey also revealed that participants relied heavily on local Chinese media to get information about New Zealand. Many realised that they had been influenced by the Chinese media in the development of their views towards Maori. The content analysis revealed that Maori were often negatively portrayed by the local Chinese media and that the source of most Chinese media stories was the mainstream media. Commercial pressure encourages the local Chinese media to produce their papers by "cutand- paste" direct translation from the mainstream media, but omitting detailed background. In this way the local Chinese media were biased in their representation of Maori and Maorirelated issues. The problematic portrayal of Maori may contribute significantly to the formation of new Chinese migrants' negative perceptions towards Maori. However, the survey did show that new Chinese migrants who had personal contact with Maori developed a more positive perception of Maori. Further studies are needed to find out whether more inter-group contact between Maori and Chinese can improve the relationship between them.