New Zealanders are friendly and favourable towards Asia

The Asia: New Zealand Foundation has released a study showing that New Zealanders predominantly recognise the importance of Asia to their country’s future, and are positive about the contribution that Asian people make in New Zealand.

The study, titled “New Zealanders’ perception of Asia and Asian peoples in 2010” was carried out by the established polling company Colmar Brunton, and aimed to identify what New Zealanders value in their relationships with different Asian groups.

It found that more than three quarters of New Zealanders (77 percent) saw the Asian region as being important to New Zealand’s future, more than for any other region aside from Australia. 

91 percent of New Zealanders agreed that exports from New Zealand to Asia would have a positive impact, and 78 percent viewed free trade agreements between New Zealand and Asian countries (such as the AANZFTA) as positive. 

The study also showed that New Zealanders recognise the contributions that Asian people make in New Zealand, with 84 percent agreeing that they make a significant economic contribution and 75 percent agreeing that Asian immigrants bring valuable cultural diversity to the country. 

More information on the study, including the full report, is available here.