Kiwi myths

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Kiwi myths new identities

• Public Sector Senior Managers Conference
• 6 November 2003

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Central paradox

• Demand for stronger national identity
• But greater disagreement than ever before

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Why National Identity?

• Nation-state needs symbols, common values
• Globalisation
• Decolonisation

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Better Britons ------------- 2003

• 2nd highest standard of living

• poor but quaint

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Better Britons------------- 2003
Rural arcadia
Urban culture
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Better Britons ----2003

• A mans country?
• best soldiers
• best rugby players
• best beer

• A womans country?
• nuclear-free peacekeepers
• sauvignon not Steinlager
• women as PM, GG, CJ

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As for our Rugby?????
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Better Britons --------------2003

• Violence against children, youth suicide

• Best place to bring up children
• Social laboratory of the world

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Better Britons ------------2003

• Best race relations in the world one people
• Maori were assimilated as honorary whites

• Biculturalism and Maori identity two peoples
• Multiculturalism - many peoples

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Nelson IwiKaiwhakaruaki o Parapara
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Kaiwhakaruaki o Parapara
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Kahungunu
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The Cornish
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The Cornish
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The Cornish
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Waipu Scots
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Waipu Scots
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Tokelauans
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Tokelauans Te Vaka

• "One of the most dynamic live experiences I have
  ever witnessed" The Guardian, UK"...one of the
  most talented and original world music acts to
  appear on the international scene for
  years..."Ronnie Scotts, U.K.Music UK 

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The Cambodians
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The Cambodians
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Conclusion 1 diversity

• National identity is too large
• National identity is too conformist and crude for
  individual difference
• Meaningful identities are smaller groupings
  iwi, family, ethnic group, etc.
• Abandon the search for New Zealand identity

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Conclusion 2Common Themes

• All passionate New Zealanders
• All remember journeys all boat people
• All bring culture to new place
• All develop a relationship with the land i.e
  tangata whenua