Shared empathy reinforces positive feelings toward Asia

The March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, and the assistance received from Asia after the February Christchurch earthquake, helped generate increased warmth among New Zealanders toward Asia and Asians in 2011.

The The Asia New Zealand Foundation’s latest Perception of Asia survey, which takes the temperature of public opinion toward Asia and Asian people, found more positive responses overall than in 2010.

As in previous years, the survey found that the vast majority of New Zealanders viewed Asia as important to New Zealand’s future (83 percent).

The survey of 1,105 people, carried out by Colmar Brunton in September and October 2011, came less than six months after the major earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Results showed that these events generated feelings of sympathy and shared empathy among New Zealanders, given their experience of the Christchurch earthquakes.

Overall, the benefits of a relationship with Asia that New Zealanders see as most positive are economic – with 93 percent (up from 89 percent) agreeing that exports from New Zealand to Asia and Asian tourism in New Zealand will have positive impacts on the country. 

But the survey also showed more positive perceptions when it came to factors that were not economic in nature. These included whether New Zealanders had positive feelings toward:

  • Asia as a tourist destination, (77%, up from 70 percent in 2010)
  • imports from Asia to New Zealand (68%, up from 63 percent)
  • Asian cultures and traditions (62 percent, up from 57 percent)
  • immigration from Asia to New Zealand (55 percent, up from 49 percent).

Along with the Japan earthquake and tsunami, the Rugby World Cup – though not directly related to any of the questions – is thought to have had an impact on the more positive of the survey results, as it contributed to an overall “brighter outlook” among New Zealanders.

“Clearly, events play a significant role in shaping New Zealanders perceptions of Asia," said Asia:NZ research director Dr Andrew Butcher. "But – beyond this – we’re seeing an upward positive trend across time.”

In a panel discussion with Butcher and other experts, media consultant and Asia:NZ trustee Trish Carter said the findings again highlighted the influence of newsrooms on New Zealanders perceptions of Asia and Asian people.

“The survey in 2010 we had antipathy, the survey in 2011 we had empathy, and both of those were related to two significant events. One was the Delhi Commonwealth Games in 2010, where there was a great deal of negative media coverage. And of course, in 2011, you had the ties-that-bind story, which is Christchurch and Japan.”

Is New Zealand in Asia?

For the first time, the survey asked respondents whether they viewed New Zealand as part of Asia. Though seeing Asia as important to New Zealand’s future, those polled still considered New Zealand as sitting outside the region. Only 22 percent considered New Zealand to be part of Asia.

Respondents suggested that New Zealand was distinct from Asia culturally, historically and geographically, and also in terms of values related to democracy and human rights.

During the panel discussion, Massey University sociology professor Paul Spoonley suggested that New Zealanders’ view of their place in Asia was likely to change over time. “Thirty years ago, if you’d asked us whether we were part of the Pacific, I think you would have probably would have got the same answer. And I think we’re going to see that same evolution over time, particularly … in terms of the demographic change here and of course the growing connection we have economically with Asia.”

Knowledge of ASEAN

When asked to think about Asia, New Zealanders thought mostly of China (86 percent) and Japan (68 percent). Fewer New Zealanders thought of the 10 member states of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which was highlighted in a separate section of this year’s survey that looked at New Zealanders knowledge of ASEAN countries.

The most frequently mentioned Southeast Asian countries were Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam (mentioned by between 20 and 27 percent of those polled). Less than one-fifth of New Zealanders named other Southeast Asian countries when asked to think about Asia.

Previous surveys

Questions?

Contact Dr Andrew Butcher at abutcher@asianz.org.nz

Telephone: + 64 4 471 2320

Last updated: 22 May 2012