Who is considered as a true New Zealander in an increasingly divided Aotearoa? This week, I’m breaking down two competing views of national identity. Have a read and let me know what you think.
Maybe the problem is with the perspective from which sense of belonging/social cohesive derives. Rather than starting with the nation to measure or improve social cohesion, perhaps we should start with the smaller units in which we live most of our lives. This will be particularly relevant to housing but should be of wider usefulness. Stable relationships, work, amenities, community engagement etc. People can identify strongly with small communities, making the national identity/belonging less important and perhaps less dogmatic. For instance, how often do we get on with individuals we know personally while viewing their types (race etc) negatively?
I agree Martin. Where we actually know we belong is in our smaller units. From time to time we are drawn into a wider debate - I’m thinking the Springbok tour or Marilynn Waring’s election in ‘84 - and then suddenly we find ourselves confronted by other small unit’s ideas that aren’t all that easy to get along with.
The individuals from those other units though? As individuals? That’s when the discussion can be about children, gardening, fishing - things that matter … and we get to meet each other in a straightforward way. Big ideas were fascinating when I was at university but now I’m suspicious of them. Not all (but almost all) of the firebrands I knew who started out with important visions, full of piss and vinegar, mellowed. It’s the ones that remain stuck in that phase that you have to watch.
I’m a ‘passport makes a kiwi’ person. Natalia I think you are on a good course, valuing an investigation into housing. We need people willing to do this sort of grunt work. Onya!
Hi John, thanks for chiming in! I love how you’ve captured the importance of small units where we truly feel we belong. It’s fascinating how these circles can clash when bigger debates arise, like during the Springbok tour. Your point about individual connections grounding us is spot on. Housing is the 'grunt work' that impacts our capacity to coexist, which is why, as you note, I chose it for my PhD. Your 'passport makes a Kiwi' comment really made me feel more welcomed and connected. I think it's critical to acknowledge overseas-born Kiwis, especially as our population diversifies and ages in the next decade. Thanks again for the encouragement and engaging, it means a lot.
Hi Martin, thanks for your thoughtful comment! You raise a great point about how smaller, local communities play a key role in social cohesion. I agree that relationships, work, and community engagement often outweigh our sense of national identity. What interests me is how national policies impact our ability to coexist day-to-day. It sounds like you're suggesting a bottom-up approach, which I support, but I'm more focused on how decisions made in Wellington influence local dynamics, so top down. And to be clear, I think they are both critical for national stability and success, they must both be considered in tandem. Does that make sense? Your example about race highlights the complexity of identity—especially in governing such a diverse population. Keen to hear more of your thoughts!
Curious to know: Have you read "The Fern and the Tiki" by David Ansubel? This book is regarded as quite controversial in NZ and if you have read it, you will know why. There is an excellent chapter on national identity- where he uses his educational theories to provide a framework for understanding how people in NZ construct that sense of identity. Though this is a 1960s book, you will be surprised at how contemporary it feels. I used to be up at night with similar questions—this book has helped me with some context.
Hi Enquiringmind, thanks for the recommendation! I haven’t read The Fern and the Tiki, but now I'm intrigued—especially since you mentioned the chapter on national identity. It sounds like David Ansubel’s educational theories offer a really interesting framework for understanding identity construction in NZ, even from a 1960s perspective. I’ll look it up. It’s always great to find books that help contextualize these big questions. Appreciate the suggestion and looking forward to diving into it!
As an immigrant to this country (arrived 1989 from Scotland) I find it fascinating to live in a country where the pakeha majority don’t seem to have a sense of belonging. That they do have a distinct “ colonial” vibe which overcomes a sense of belonging to Aotearoa. They still haven’t come to terms with their standing with Māori and until then I feel that feeling of dislocation will always be there.
Kia ora David, thank you for sharing your experience, I couldn’t agree more! It’s so interesting that many Pākehā still seem to grapple with their sense of belonging here. That ‘colonial vibe’ you mention really resonates—there’s a lingering dislocation, especially when it comes to fully understanding the relationship with Māori. It feels like a big part of moving forward as a country is for more of us to reckon with that history and its present-day impact. I really appreciate your thoughtful reflection!
Maybe the problem is with the perspective from which sense of belonging/social cohesive derives. Rather than starting with the nation to measure or improve social cohesion, perhaps we should start with the smaller units in which we live most of our lives. This will be particularly relevant to housing but should be of wider usefulness. Stable relationships, work, amenities, community engagement etc. People can identify strongly with small communities, making the national identity/belonging less important and perhaps less dogmatic. For instance, how often do we get on with individuals we know personally while viewing their types (race etc) negatively?
I agree Martin. Where we actually know we belong is in our smaller units. From time to time we are drawn into a wider debate - I’m thinking the Springbok tour or Marilynn Waring’s election in ‘84 - and then suddenly we find ourselves confronted by other small unit’s ideas that aren’t all that easy to get along with.
The individuals from those other units though? As individuals? That’s when the discussion can be about children, gardening, fishing - things that matter … and we get to meet each other in a straightforward way. Big ideas were fascinating when I was at university but now I’m suspicious of them. Not all (but almost all) of the firebrands I knew who started out with important visions, full of piss and vinegar, mellowed. It’s the ones that remain stuck in that phase that you have to watch.
I’m a ‘passport makes a kiwi’ person. Natalia I think you are on a good course, valuing an investigation into housing. We need people willing to do this sort of grunt work. Onya!
Hi John, thanks for chiming in! I love how you’ve captured the importance of small units where we truly feel we belong. It’s fascinating how these circles can clash when bigger debates arise, like during the Springbok tour. Your point about individual connections grounding us is spot on. Housing is the 'grunt work' that impacts our capacity to coexist, which is why, as you note, I chose it for my PhD. Your 'passport makes a Kiwi' comment really made me feel more welcomed and connected. I think it's critical to acknowledge overseas-born Kiwis, especially as our population diversifies and ages in the next decade. Thanks again for the encouragement and engaging, it means a lot.
Hi Martin, thanks for your thoughtful comment! You raise a great point about how smaller, local communities play a key role in social cohesion. I agree that relationships, work, and community engagement often outweigh our sense of national identity. What interests me is how national policies impact our ability to coexist day-to-day. It sounds like you're suggesting a bottom-up approach, which I support, but I'm more focused on how decisions made in Wellington influence local dynamics, so top down. And to be clear, I think they are both critical for national stability and success, they must both be considered in tandem. Does that make sense? Your example about race highlights the complexity of identity—especially in governing such a diverse population. Keen to hear more of your thoughts!
Curious to know: Have you read "The Fern and the Tiki" by David Ansubel? This book is regarded as quite controversial in NZ and if you have read it, you will know why. There is an excellent chapter on national identity- where he uses his educational theories to provide a framework for understanding how people in NZ construct that sense of identity. Though this is a 1960s book, you will be surprised at how contemporary it feels. I used to be up at night with similar questions—this book has helped me with some context.
Hi Enquiringmind, thanks for the recommendation! I haven’t read The Fern and the Tiki, but now I'm intrigued—especially since you mentioned the chapter on national identity. It sounds like David Ansubel’s educational theories offer a really interesting framework for understanding identity construction in NZ, even from a 1960s perspective. I’ll look it up. It’s always great to find books that help contextualize these big questions. Appreciate the suggestion and looking forward to diving into it!
As an immigrant to this country (arrived 1989 from Scotland) I find it fascinating to live in a country where the pakeha majority don’t seem to have a sense of belonging. That they do have a distinct “ colonial” vibe which overcomes a sense of belonging to Aotearoa. They still haven’t come to terms with their standing with Māori and until then I feel that feeling of dislocation will always be there.
Kia ora David, thank you for sharing your experience, I couldn’t agree more! It’s so interesting that many Pākehā still seem to grapple with their sense of belonging here. That ‘colonial vibe’ you mention really resonates—there’s a lingering dislocation, especially when it comes to fully understanding the relationship with Māori. It feels like a big part of moving forward as a country is for more of us to reckon with that history and its present-day impact. I really appreciate your thoughtful reflection!