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Immigrants to learn Kiwi values
By DAN EATON - The Press | Thursday, 22 March 2007

Immigrants will be taught New Zealand values under a Government plan to avoid the tensions and violence seen overseas between locals and newcomers.

Initiatives announced yesterday will target new migrants from Asia, the Pacific and the Middle East before they arrive, as well as those who have already settled.

Officials said the initiatives, jointly run by the ethnic affairs and social development ministries, were a direct response to a series of international events, including 2005 race riots in Sydney's Cronulla area and debate on the publication of cartoons portraying the Prophet Muhammad last year.

"To date, we have been well served by the Kiwi 'live and let live' attitude and the moderate nature of our minority communities," Ethnic Affairs Minister Chris Carter said.

"But the Government is concerned to ensure this remains the case as our society becomes more complex, and tensions flare elsewhere in the world."

A Muslim leader said he welcomed the education plan, as long as it did not evolve into a series of compulsory tests.

"I don't know what they are going to teach, but so long as it is treated as an educational thing for people it is a good idea," said Javed Khan, the president of the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (Fianz).

"If they are sort of coming heavy-handed and saying you can't do this, you can't do that and they probe into religious and cultural things, then I think I would be concerned."

He said he had offered to involve Fianz in familiarisation programmes but had not received any invitations.

Officials have assessed more than 100 initiatives under way in New Zealand and overseas to explore how well they are enhancing understanding between different communities.

At 23 per cent, New Zealand has one of the highest rates of citizens born overseas in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Several initiatives were announced yesterday.

They include increasing and improving pre-arrival information about living in New Zealand and the rights and responsibilities of residents and citizens.

The Department of Labour is developing written material that will be distributed to temporary and permanent migrants.

It is also running seminars in a number of Pacific countries.

Another measure involves developing programmes that increase the understanding among migrants and refugees about New Zealand's heritage areas and conservation values.

The Department of Conservation is working with a Chinese educational trust to hold regular activities for Chinese immigrants focused on history, Maori culture and the environment.

The programme will be adapted for other communities.

Public-sector training programmes are also being run to improve communication with ethnic communities.

Work has also begun on a "national statement on religious diversity", with the goal of promoting interfaith understanding, led by the Ministry of Social Development.

It is expected that a draft will be unveiled at the third Asia-Pacific Regional Interfaith Dialogue in May, to be held at Waitangi and attended by religious leaders from dozens of countries.

"A sense of inclusiveness and an acceptance of difference has always been a part of New Zealand's national identity," Social Development Minister David Benson-Pope said.

"The programme will help ensure the Government's efforts to underpin this aspect of our national character are better co-ordinated and effective."

Migration data released this week by Statistics New Zealand showed the Philippines has become the second-largest source of net long-term arrivals, increasing from an inflow of 500 in 2005 to 2600 in the year to February.