Conversations with New Zealand-born Chinese women: families, friendships and relationships

Abstract

The aim of this thesis is to look at the experience of being New Zealand Chinese for thirteen New Zealand-born Chinese women currently living in the Wellington area. The focus of the data collection was a discussion with the women about being Chinese with specific reference to their family upbringing, their friendships and their personal relationships. The Chinese in New Zealand are a distinct ethnic group, with the first Chinese coming to New Zealand over 100 years ago. These women interviewed, all first or subsequent generation New Zealanders, are in a situation of many contrasts. They have been exposed to both the Chinese and 'Kiwi' backgrounds, and live with the cultural contexts of both. While born in New Zealand and considering themselves New Zealanders, they may however be assumed by others to be foreign-born because of their physical appearance. The arrival of many new Chinese immigrants over the last ten years has brought new challenges both in how the majority population views Chinese in general, as well as how the women feel about who they are and where they fit in, how they feel about being Chinese and how they express their ethnic identity. To set the research in context, an examination of previous work was undertaken on the Chinese in New Zealand with regard to their integration and adaptation to New Zealand society. The research methodology is discussed in terms of the approach taken, and its advantages and disadvantages. The research data was collected through semi-structured personal interviews which provided the basis for the discussion. A theoretical framework used as the basis for the discussion outlines some definitions of the concepts of ethnicity, ethnic groups and the development of ethnic identity. The primary focus of the discussion is to present the range of views and experiences of the women in conjunction with the main research questions. The ways in which the women felt being Chinese had made an impact on their social interactions is investigated, together with some of the influences on their ethnic identity and expression of being Chinese. Finally, consideration is given to the things they feel make the New Zealand Chinese different from other New Zealanders, and from more recent Chinese immigrants. This gives an indication of how real the concept of a New Zealand Chinese identity was for them.