What is the level of inclusivity towards different cultures and immigrants among New Zealanders? Is there prevalent discrimination?

Okay, no problem. Regarding cultural tolerance and discrimination in New Zealand, let me break it down for you, and I'll try to keep it conversational like we're just chatting.

Cultural Tolerance in New Zealand: A Complex but Largely Positive Picture

Honestly, this is a hard question to answer simply as "good" or "bad." New Zealand society is like a coin, with a polished side and another side that still needs work. But overall, it’s definitely one of the most immigrant-friendly countries in the world.

The Bright Side: Why New Zealand is Tolerant?

You can feel New Zealand's openness and friendliness in the following ways:

• Multiculturalism is National Policy: This isn't just a slogan. At the government level, there's a continuous push to promote and encourage multicultural development. New Zealanders ("Kiwis," as we often say) are taught from a young age that "we are a nation of immigrants," and respecting different cultures is simply a given.

• Respect for Māori Culture: At the core of New Zealand society is the Treaty of Waitangi, the founding document agreed upon between the indigenous Māori and the British Crown. Therefore, societal respect for indigenous culture is both a legal and moral foundation. You'll frequently encounter the Māori language (Te Reo Māori) in everyday life, like the official greeting "Kia Ora." This itself sets a positive example for the integration of other cultures.

• Friendliness in Daily Life: In most situations, especially in big cities like Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, you'll find people very warm. Strangers often smile and nod, and people readily help those in need on the street. If you walk down the street wearing traditional attire, most people give appreciative looks rather than strange stares.

• Rich Cultural Activities: Diverse cultural festivals are commonplace in New Zealand. For instance, major cities celebrate Chinese Lunar New Year with lantern festivals and lion dances; Diwali also features grand celebrations. This shows how different cultures have genuinely integrated into local community life.

The Bleak Reality: Discrimination Exists, but Often More Subtly

Of course, saying there’s absolutely no discrimination is unrealistic. Every country has this problem, and New Zealand is no exception. But here, discrimination tends to be more "implicit," "structural," or based on "unconscious bias," rather than overt, aggressive confrontation.

Specific manifestations might include:

• The "Where are you really from?" Conundrum: This is a classic example. For many second or third-generation Asian immigrants, even those born and raised in New Zealand who speak with a perfect local accent, they often get asked: "No, where are you really from?". The questioner usually means no harm, it's just curiosity, but this question can make the person feel "not accepted as truly local."

• The "Glass Ceiling" in the Workplace: This exists in many Western countries. Some immigrants might feel that while they are equals on the technical level, there seems to be an invisible advantage for local white New Zealanders (Pākehā) when it comes to moving into management roles. This isn't necessarily company policy, but rather stems from subtle cultural preferences and networking dynamics.

• Bias in Renting and Employment: Sometimes, a name that sounds "less local" might have a lower chance of receiving responses when sending out CVs or rental applications. Landlords or employers might subconsciously lean towards people from cultural backgrounds they are more "familiar" with.

• Stereotypes: Such as thinking "All Asians are good at math" or "Asians can't drive." While these are often just casual jokes made over lunch, hearing them repeatedly can be uncomfortable because it erases your individuality and places a label on you.

• Geographical Differences: In large cities, people are generally more worldly and cultural tolerance is high. However, in some remote small towns, residents may have had little exposure to foreigners, and their curiosity might sometimes manifest inappropriately, even including some exclusionary comments.

To Summarize

So, back to your questions:

1. How tolerant are New Zealanders towards different cultures and immigrants?

   • Very high. From national policies to the everyday behaviour of most people, New Zealand displays an open, welcoming, and inclusive attitude. For the vast majority of immigrants, life here is comfortable and secure.

2. Does discrimination exist?

   • Yes, it does. But it’s mostly implicit, structural, and based on unconscious bias, rather than explicit, violent racism. As an immigrant, you're unlikely to face random abuse on the street, but you might encounter that "subtle sense of distance" when job hunting, socializing, or in everyday interactions.

Overall, compared to many other countries around the world, social tensions in New Zealand are much milder. For friends considering immigration, my advice is: Come with confidence, the overall environment here is definitely friendly. At the same time, be mentally prepared for potential encounters with subtle discrimination. Learn to distinguish between unintentional missteps and prejudices that need to be taken seriously, and know how to protect your rights (for example, through the Human Rights Commission).

Hope this explanation helps!