I try to avoid internet surveys, as I’m sure most of you all
do too. However, this particular survey sparked interest, as I intriguingly clicked
the link “What kind of Kiwi are you?”
Firstly, what is the stereotype? I have always remembered
asking an Italian exchange student what they associate with a New Zealaner, his
response being “Green. Rugby. English.” I remember feeling slightly robbed of
our true biculturalism, and lack of knowledge beyond the over-mediatized
national sport. Slightly off track already… back to the Kiwi-Meter.
This survey falls under the institution of The Media, and is
being advertised both online, and on the national news programs aiming to
capture interest, just as it did for me. My main focus of this blog is to point
out that this identifying of differences is a positive step forward for New
Zealand’s Media Institution, as we are so commonly contained in the narrow
minded national reflection of “rugby playing, beer drinking bloke” that is
simply over-used, completely inaccurate and just pure ignorant. Go you,
OneNews, you go!
This short 10 minute survey is fantastic, as it is divided
into sections of “Values”, “Pride”, “Symbols”, “Flag” and “Profile”, questioning
individuals on education, religion, politics, national pride, opinions on
racial inequality etc, making the individual truly reflect on their own sense
of national belongingness. At the end of the survey, you are given a result of
where your mind-set lay in comparison to other New Zealanders; giving a sort of
team-like bonding with strangers of similarities. For the first time for many,
the survey is overlooking physical attributes and skin colours, and instead the
individual is being expressed as a New Zealander for your values and
principals. To simplify, this survey is about identifying yourself as a part of
the nation; instead of the nation deciding for you whether you succumb into the
restrictive image-based stereotype. Are we finally seeing that there is more
than meets the eyes? No, not so quickly.
Whilst this survey is great in regards to (finally)
realising there is more to New Zealand than the stereotype suggests, the Media
still is still deeply invested into some cringingly unavoidable content. Just
below the online “Kiwi-meter” survey, is the “What Bachelorette are you most
like?” survey. The Bachelor is an embarrassingly white skinned dominated New
Zealand show, about prominently (exception: 2 Maori/Pacific Islander out of 24
in total) “beautiful” women, falling in love with the “perfect” white man. This
is one of many dull, tasteless portrayals of New Zealand media, which is continuously
over, and over again, completely overshadowing important and socially
progressive content such as the “Kiwi-Meter” and the strive for biculturalism
and socially unity within New Zealand. Come on guys…
I strongly suggest you take the Kiwi-Meter. Gaining a little bit of knowledge into the way
your nation perceives itself, and how much of the nation thinks and shares
common similarities to you is a whole lot more stimulating than whether or not
Ceri will get the single date this week. Go on. Do it.
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/kiwimeter-kind-kiwi-you
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ReplyDeleteGiven that New Zealand’s culture has evolved over the past 200 years, I agree that these surveys are important in understanding New Zealand’s national identity. Yet I also believe that some of the statements in this survey have been worded in a way that is problematic. One section of the survey asks the respondent to rank how much they agree or disagree with the statement “Maori should not receive any special treatment”. While not necessarily ‘racist’ (an argument that has been discussed passionately on some media outlets this month) such statements are problematic as it is possible some respondents could view it as implying that Maori might be receiving special treatment at the expense of non-Maori. There is certainly no question in the survey which asks if Pakeha should or are receiving any special treatment.
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, the survey fails to define exactly what this ‘special treatment’ might look like nor does it explain the context behind Pakeha-Maori relations and why the idea that Maori might need ‘special treatment’ is even a thing in the first place (because of institutionalised discrimination).
In the survey’s defence, the way it is structured means it is unable to go into detailed definitions or contexts. It also attempts to make-up for this by asking New Zealanders to rank other statements which place doubt over the health of New Zealand’s race relations. For example, the statement “A history of discrimination has created conditions that make it difficult for Maori to be successful” gives an opportunity to New Zealanders to consider the history of race relations and whether some groups are more disadvantaged than others. However, suggesting that Maori, or any other ethnic group, may need special treatment without providing the context risks establishing an environment of public ignorance in terms of New Zealand’s race relations.