Polynesians' Attitudes to Work

Abstract

The study looks at Samoans, Tokelauans, Niueans and Maoris in two industrial plants in New Zealand. The Pacific Island workers have migrated directly from their respective Island groups. The Maoris have migrated from rural areas. All workers have settled in the city of Wellington, some temporarily and others permanently. The purpose of the study is to look at the attitudes to work of these migrants in an industrial work environment and to find in what ways these attitudes have been influenced by the attitudes and values of their cultural heritage. Information was gained through the collation of numerous references. A questionnaire was conducted and the results were analysed both by computer and manually. Respondents were also interviewed personally. The results of the questionnaires indicate that, at the first Company, workers respond positively to situations that resemble those to which they have been accustomed. In particular, workers respond to the intricate network of relationships, which the Company has purposely made available, and to the support with which Pacific Islanders and Maoris are familiar in their cultural heritage, though in a wider context. At the second Company few opportunities are available for close personal relationships because of Company policy and the size of the Company. However workers are more content with their particular tasks because their jobs are clearly defined. Also these workers are more confident because of the longer time spent at their particular tasks. Most of the workers want promotion in the same way as a number of Pakehas do. But some also want promotion in a form which is a reinterpretation of their particular cultural values and attitudes. These attitudes found in New Zealand industry not only negate some stereotypes held about Polynesian workers, they also contribute to the limited research establishing attitudes to work of migrant groups in New Zealand's multi-cultural workforce.