Philippines Country Profile
How do New Zealanders view the Philippines?
This country profile is based on our latest New Zealanders’ Perceptions of Asia and Asian Peoples report. The results of the survey give a unique glimpse into the importance of the Philippines to New Zealanders. Perceptions of Asia presents the results from a survey of 2,300 New Zealanders, providing a unique glimpse into the importance of Asia to New Zealanders.
Thirty-ninepines percent of New Zealanders see the Philippines as important to New Zealand’s future.
Philippines importance to New Zealand's future
Q: How important do you think the Philippines is to New Zealand’s future?
Perceptions of Asia 2025
The Philippines is home to one of the youngest populations in Asia
Friend perceptions
The Philippines is one New Zealand’s closest friend in Asia, third-equal with South Korea, with 62 percent of New Zealanders identifying it as a friend or close friend. Friend perceptions have increased nine percentage points since the last survey.
Only one percent of New Zealanders see the Philippines as a threat.
Friend perceptions
Q: Do you view the Philippines as a close friend, friend, threat or major threat?
Perceptions of Asia 2024
How have perceptions changed since 2018
Positive sentiment towards the Philippines has increased significantly over time. While 43 percent of New Zealanders saw the Philippines as a friend in 2018, 62 percent view it as a friend today.
Friend or threat perceptions of the Philippines 2018-2024
Q: Do you view the Philippines as a close friend, friend, threat or major threat? (Y axis = percentage of respondents)
Perceptions of Asia 2025
At the time of the 2023 census, there were some 108,000 people who identify as Filipino living in New Zealand
“(The Philippines) are a friendly and welcoming culture and have a high respect for others.”
Female, 25–29 years, New Zealand European, Canterbury
“There’s a lot of Filipino immigration here, in healthcare especially. We need their knowledge.”
Female, 30 to 35 years, other European, Auckland
“New Zealand already benefits from the wonderful people of the Philippines. And I believe New Zealand benefits when we embrace diversity and all cultural backgrounds.”
Female, 25–29 years, New Zealand European,
Canterbury
Download the Philippines Country Profile
pdf, 948.98 KB
Download the full Perceptions of Asia and Asian Peoples 2025 report
pdf, 8.36 MB
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Our Asia in Focus programme provides expert analysis on on Asia and New Zealand-Asia relations.
