Are you a New Zealander?

[Nivlac]

>Did you know that New Zealand is pretty much the only place in the world
>that you can not actually be a New Zealander?
>
>Whenever you fill out a form or survey in New Zealand you can tick the box
>to say you are Maori, Tongan, Samoan, Australian, European (or NZ born of
>European Decent), Asian, etc but there is no box provided to say “Yes, I am
>a New Zealander and I am proud to be one”
>
>In Australia, you can be an Australian… In fact in Australia you can be a
>New Zealander. Why is it that we can’t be New Zealanders in our own
>country?
>
>Most people are proud of their ethnicity, heritage and family origins and so
>will tick whichever box they feel applies to them, and they have every right
>to do so whether they are Maori, Pacific Islander, European etc
>
>Many of us however consider that we, and our families, have been in New
>Zealand for long enough now that we should be able to claim that as who
>we are… regardless of where our ancestors may have come from many
>centuries ago or what the colour of our skin or shape of our face might
>indicate.
>
>If you support us in our desire to be recognised as New Zealanders in our
>own country then there is only one way that this can be achieved…
>
>On the 2006 NZ Census form, when you are asked for your ethnicity, choose
>the option “Other” and state your ethnicity as “New Zealander”
>
>If we can get enough people to do this then maybe, just maybe, we can get
>the powers that be to sit up and recognise that we are proud of who we are
>and that we want to be recognised as such, not divided into sub-categories
>and all treated as foreigners in our own country.
>
>Please forward this on to as many people as you can; friends, people you
>work with, kiwi’s you know who are overseas, anyone… No, you won’t
>receive amazing good luck by doing so but you will have the knowledge that
>you have done your bit to help us, as New Zealanders, fight for our right to
>be recognised as who we are in this proud and strong country of ours.
>
>And remember… at census time… “Other - New Zealander!” (and proud of
>it)

[Grisdale]

And dont forget to write your religion as: KiwiBiker
:P

[Nivlac]

Unless of course you strongly believe that you are a Jedi Knight... however, I guess there is no reason you can't be both.
May the torque be with you.

[yungatart]

I always tick 'other' and write New Zealander on official type forms- have done for years

[Grahameeboy]

I am just "Me" so go under "Others"

[ajturbo]

On mud boy's school form i had to inticate where he came from..

i ALWAYS put New Zealander.. got told that he had to be... European

why ? i asked... he was born in New Zealand = therefore he is a New Zealander!!!
so i usally cross out everything and write that..
this is my main bitch at the powers to be.. and a reason that i think Wintson Peters has..(sorry to say) some good points...
so all those maoris, that were born AFTER the treaty of waitangi (sp?)
and all the white's born in New Zealand after that date are

ALL

NEW ZEALANDERS.....

one rule for EVERYONE.....



aaahhh i feel better now....i'm off to build a deck....:Oops:

[ajturbo]

>
>
>And remember… at census time… “Other - New Zealander!” (and proud of
>it)

Census time????

fuck that..

if they can find me:Pokey: .....mud boy and I may just be "away" that night:Pokey:

[Grahameeboy]

On mud boy's school form i had to inticate where he came from..

i ALWAYS put New Zealander.. got told that he had to be... European

why ? i asked... he was born in New Zealand = therefore he is a New Zealander!!!
so i usally cross out everything and write that..
this is my main bitch at the powers to be.. and a reason that i think Wintson Peters has..(sorry to say) some good points...
so all those maoris, that were born AFTER the treaty of waitangi (sp?)
and all the white's born in New Zealand after that date are

ALL

NEW ZEALANDERS.....

one rule for EVERYONE.....



aaahhh i feel better now....i'm off to build a deck....:Oops:

Agree totally....it is that simple isn't it yet we continue to split hairs....I was born in UK so 'European' (I hate that definition to so could be another thread eh?) and my Daughter was born here so is a NZ not NZ European

[Nivlac]

It's good to see there are a lot of people who agree, often very strongly, with this... I've been writing 'New Zealander' myself for several years too (often only to then be told that I'm not, I must be a european) :eek5:
I don't normally forward on mass emails like this, but in this particular case I felt that it was important enough that I forwarded it on to pretty much everyone in my address book when I received it (as well as posting it on here and a couple other lists), hopefully if enough other people do likewise then we may be able to make a difference...
When is the census anyway? can't be far away.

[MisterD]

March 7th isn't it?

Country of birth: People's Republic of Lancashire.

[Motu]

I'm Muggle born,and proud of it!

[slob]

You do realise the distinction between "nationality" and "ethnicity" don't you? :scratch:

[jimbo600]

Unless of course you strongly believe that you are a Jedi Knight... however, I guess there is no reason you can't be both.
May the torque be with you.

Actually during one UK census so many people put Jedi down as religion thay had to recognise it as a legitimate religion, cool aye.

[Ixion]

You do realise the distinction between "nationality" and "ethnicity" don't you? :scratch:

Aye, and "European" is neither a nationality, nor an ethnicity, Europe comprising many nations and many ethnic groups. So what they are intending is a mystery known only to God and Henry Postlethwaite.

[MSTRS]

You do realise the distinction between "nationality" and "ethnicity" don't you? :scratch:
Aaaahhhh......yup. Ar's ethikal an Ar noes Ar's a Noo Zilnda

[Oakie]

Yep. I decided about 6 months ago that from then on I was only going to be a 'New Zealander'.
It happened because we got a survey thing to fill out for work and the only choices available to me were 'New Zealand European' or 'pakeha'. My ancestors all left England and Scotland between 1847 and 1880 so I thought I shouldn't really call myself European anymore and I didn't want to be included in a group that distinguishes you more on colour than ethnicity (pakeha) ... So here I am ... a 'New Zealander' and damned proud of it.

[Hitcher]

Actually during one UK census so many people put Jedi down as religion thay had to recognise it as a legitimate religion, cool aye.
After the last census, even though over 70,000 people had stated their religion as "Jedi", the Head Statistician determined that it wasn't a proper religion and would not therefore be added to future censuses. So there!

[sAsLEX]

After the last census, even though over 70,000 people had stated their religion as "Jedi", the Head Statistician determined that it wasn't a proper religion and would not therefore be added to future censuses. So there!

Good to see we have one person who decides what is a religion. Might pay to get myself in that job, convert to muslim (or any faith that believes theirs is the only true faith) and then axe all the other ones.

[Flatcap]

March 7th isn't it?

Country of birth: People's Republic of Lancashire.

You will be ticking "European" then so we can lump you in with the Germans....:bleh:

[slob]

Since I'm the procrastinating type (when at work), I looked up "Ethnicity" on wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethnicity

Here's the bit from the page that supports what I was going on about:

"In English, Ethnicity goes far beyond the modern ties of a person to a particular nation (e.g., citizenship), and focuses more upon the connection to a perceived shared past and culture."

So by that token, "European" would mean people whose history or culture is linked to Europe.

Of course there are alternative definitions that I've conveniently omitted.. :shifty:

[MSTRS]

Slob is right. What if you were a naturalised NZer who was born in Germany, to a Turkish mother (who was born in Greece) and a Negroid father (who was born in Morocco).
Too damned confusing.
Much easier to have only two options.....New Zealander....and ....Other

[Nivlac]

You do realise the distinction between "nationality" and "ethnicity" don't you? :scratch:

Yes, but the problem is that Statistics NZ don't even make the clear distinction.

"While the census “help notes” informed respondents that ethnicity is not about nationality, some of the examples given in the form comprise both ethnic groups and countries. In published three-digit level data from the 2001 census, ethnic groups include Australians, Germans, Poles and Dutch." - (Paul Callister, 2004, http://www.callister.co.nz/nzethnicgroup.pdf )

BTW, here is Statistics NZ's official word on the issue for the 2006 census...
http://www.stats.govt.nz/census/2006-census/fact-sheet-ethnicity.htm
at least they have said that this year they won't automatically re-classify everyone who puts "New Zealander" as a NZ European... I know of a few Maori who consider themselves to be New Zealanders and are not to happy about being stuck under the european heading.

[MidnightMike]

I dont care really, just as it's not pakeha, I hate that word :mad:

[oldrider]

Everyone borne here after the treaty is a ""New Zealander". Good call.

European/Pakeha are pre-treaty terms.

Ask the Maori party to Honour the treaty.

(Normaly I do not find Pakeha offensive But put in the obove context, I do.) :eek: Cheers John.

[Jackrat]

I always tick 'other' and write New Zealander on official type forms- have done for years

Yeah me too,nice to know there's at lest two of us.:yeah:

[jimbo600]

After the last census, even though over 70,000 people had stated their religion as "Jedi", the Head Statistician determined that it wasn't a proper religion and would not therefore be added to future censuses. So there!

Ah that's right. Well it was five years ago and I can barely remember where I park my bike most of the time.

[Ixion]

Since I'm the procrastinating type (when at work), I looked up "Ethnicity" on wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethnicity

Here's the bit from the page that supports what I was going on about:

"In English, Ethnicity goes far beyond the modern ties of a person to a particular nation (e.g., citizenship), and focuses more upon the connection to a perceived shared past and culture."

So by that token, "European" would mean people whose history or culture is linked to Europe.

Of course there are alternative definitions that I've conveniently omitted.. :shifty:


No it wouldn't . European is not a single shared past and culture. The past and culture of (say) Turkey, or Bosnia, is TOTALLY different to that of Ireland . And that again quite different to Norway or the Spains. You might as well say that well fit into Oceanic . And the English are emphatically NOT European. My Grandsire would have clipped you upside the headfor that suggestion. Europeans are them wogs across the Channel.

[far queue]

I'm a New Zealander, and I rode my bike to work that day :whistle:

[Back Fire]

And dont forget to write your religion as: KiwiBiker
:P

I'm going to do that from now on :wait:

[SwanTiger]

If all active 2000'ish members put down Kiwibiker as their religion I wonder if they would recognise it?

[Back Fire]

If all active 2000'ish members put down Kiwibiker as their religion I wonder if they would recognise it?

most likely they would have to, I know from english classes a few years back there are a few religions in NZ with only something like 400 people...

[SPman]

Ich bin ein Neuseelander!

[Ixion]

Could we get Battenburger as a religion. Beats being a jam doughnut.

[ZeroIndex]

If all active 2000'ish members put down Kiwibiker as their religion I wonder if they would recognise it?
It's worth a try... someone should start a Poll to see how many Kiwibikers will actually write Kiwibiker as their religion...

[James Deuce]

I'm sticking with Jedi for my religion.

[miSTa]

Am I a New Zealander? Course I am, I was born here, what else would I be! :weird: :weird:

[ZeroIndex]

Well, I've filled in my census form, and since I'm only a permanent resident, I wrote South African, BUT, I did put my religion as KiwiBiker :D hope everyone does too...

[Flatcap]

I heard that if you tick "other' and put in "New Zealander" they lumped you into NZ European anyway regardless whatever type of New Zealander you are....

[MisterD]

But you're not supposed to fill it in until census night, don't you realise that makes the statistics completely invalid? You thick SAffer! :p

[Ixion]

I heard that if you tick "other' and put in "New Zealander" they lumped you into NZ European anyway regardless whatever type of New Zealander you are....

They do. The stubborn bastiges are determined to make everybody that ain't maori into European. But they are getting so much flak that they have made a meaningless concession.

[ZeroIndex]

But you're not supposed to fill it in until census night, don't you realise that makes the statistics completely invalid? You thick SAffer! :p
What difference does it really make? I can see into my future, that on census night I'll be where I've already written... and who are the government to say I have to fill it out at a certain time of day? Are they planning on having a TV show telling you to go onto question 2 after 30 seconds?

[MisterD]

What difference does it really make? I can see into my future, that on census night I'll be where I've already written... and who are the government to say I have to fill it out at a certain time of day? Are they planning on having a TV show telling you to go onto question 2 after 30 seconds?

I guess I need to start putting p/t at the end of such posts, kind of spoils it really....:thud:

[ZeroIndex]

I guess I need to start putting p/t at the end of such posts, kind of spoils it really....:thud:

sorry, but what does 'p/t' stand for? oh, and just in case, i wasn't verbally attacking you :S I just feel the government have some stupid rules in place, and I plan to bend them as much as possible wherever I can :p

[miSTa]

"p/t" or "pt" - piss take

[ZeroIndex]

"p/t" or "pt" - piss take

ok... thanks :p

[Mooch]

You've got it all wrong , you can only be a New Zealander when you live overseas. New Zealand is the only country where you can't be a New Zealander.
Your Ethninicity as a New Zealander is actually valid overseas. Just not in NZ.

Nationality = Pride / reality
Ethninicty = HR term.

[Hitcher]

Anyway, the official position from Statistics New Zealand is they don't care what you state as your ethnicity. You can even tick more than one box if you like. They don't care. Getting everybody to complete and returns the Census forms is their primary objective. If a bit of lively debate about ethnicity assists this process, that is just dandy with Statistics New Zealand.

[Flatcap]

Anyway, the official position from Statistics New Zealand is they don't care what you state as your ethnicity. You can even tick more than one box if you like. They don't care. Getting everybody to complete and returns the Census forms is their primary objective. If a bit of lively debate about ethnicity assists this process, that is just dandy with Statistics New Zealand.


I agree - they mustn't care cause if they really wanted to know how many sausages needed to be made in the future they would have "NZ German", the likelihood of surrender if we were ever invaded "NZ French", the amount of complaints to government departments "NZ English" and so on...

[Big Dave]

Whilst I'm happy to be Other/Australian anywhere - I think it is deplorable that you can't be a New Zealander here. Even on the visa forms.

The worst example of namby pamby PC bullshit I can cite.

[Biff]

Let's play state the freaking obvious shall we?

You are a New Zealand - European if your ancestors were European. Fact. So face it. Tick the freakin box FFS.

Your family's history didn't begin when they first stepped foot on these shores, irrespective of your ethnicity. Your family's lineagae goes back a long, long way. And when exactly do you stop admitting your heritage if your whining about there not being a New Zealander only box? 1, 2 generations?

I'd like to be able to look back in 20 years time and find a reliable statistic telling me how many European/Asian/Maori/Indian/Klingon descendants lived here in 2006, and compare it to modern day stats. .

Quit whining, it could be worse. I’ve got fking French blood in me. Thankfully my great, great, great gran had some taste. Despite being a Frog - she let a Welshman pork her.

Be proud to be a New Zealander – and be proud of your family’s history say I.

[oldrider]

Let's play state the freaking obvious shall we?

You are a New Zealand - European if your ancestors were European. Fact. So face it. Tick the freakin box FFS.

Your family's history didn't begin when they first stepped foot on these shores, irrespective of your ethnicity. Your family's lineagae goes back a long, long way. And when exactly do you stop admitting your heritage if your whining about there not being a New Zealander only box? 1, 2 generations?

I'd like to be able to look back in 20 years time and find a reliable statistic telling me how many European/Asian/Maori/Indian/Klingon descendants lived here in 2006, and compare it to modern day stats. .

Quit whining, it could be worse. I’ve got fking French blood in me. Thankfully my great, great, great gran had some taste. Despite being a Frog - she let a Welshman pork her.

Be proud to be a New Zealander – and be proud of your family’s history say I.
Hey Biff, congrats on the wedding! As for all the info on enthnicity/family origins/etc they should have all those statistics in immigration etc when people enter the country. Other than that all offspring borne here are New Zealanders. Thats what I am and thats what I will be putting down. This will be sending them a message also because there are too many Gov't papers that have this devisive shit on them. Thats my message. Cheers John.
PS:One of them froggies did that to my "Welsh" linage too, the bastards must have rabbit blood in their veins.:blip:

[Ixion]

Let's play state the freaking obvious shall we?

You are a New Zealand - European if your ancestors were European. Fact. So face it. Tick the freakin box FFS.

Your family's history didn't begin when they first stepped foot on these shores, irrespective of your ethnicity. Your family's lineagae goes back a long, long way. And when exactly do you stop admitting your heritage if your whining about there not being a New Zealander only box? 1, 2 generations?

I...

So what if your ancestors were Spanish. And English . And Maori. And North American. And Scots. And German. And Punjabi.

And you have to go back 7 generations and 200 odd years to NOT be a New Zealander.

Only two of that lot indisputably European. So what about the rest. And at what point does "European" get so old and so diluted that it doesn't count. By your logic we are almost all Indo-Aryan. Or even African.

I have no ties to Europe. I and all my forebears that I ever met , back to my great-great-grandmother were born in this country, never could remember anything but New Zealand and being a New Zealander. I am NOT European.

You say you are Welsh, but by your logic you're not - sometime hundreds of years ago your ancestors came to what is now called Wales. Do you call yourself "whatever it was they came from" ?

[Biff]

So what if your ancestors were Spanish. And English . And Maori. And North American. And Scots. And German. And Punjabi.
There's an tickie box thing aptly entitled "Other" so I hear.


And you have to go back 7 generations and 200 odd years to NOT be a New Zealander.
Hmmm. Twas a mere 18 months ago that I wasn't a New Zealander - I was Welsh. Still am I think. I'm sure even my kids, kids would recognise this historical fact.



And then. maybe, even accept the fact that they were descended from European stock.
Indo-Aryan. Or even African.
Pahh, modern politics. I'm a Pangean kinda guy.


I have no ties to Europe. I and all my forebears that I ever met , back to my great-great-grandmother were born in this country, never could remember anything but New Zealand and being a New Zealander. I am NOT European.
Denial eh?


You say you are Welsh, but by your logic you're not - sometime hundreds of years ago your ancestors came to what is now called Wales.
Yup - and it's in Europe.

[Oakie]

Let's play state the freaking obvious shall we?

You are a New Zealand - European if your ancestors were European. Fact. So face it. Tick the freakin box FFS.

Your family's history didn't begin when they first stepped foot on these shores, irrespective of your ethnicity. Your family's lineagae goes back a long, long way.

So perhaps all Maoris should tick the Pacific Islander box as that's where they came from 1000 odd years ago (or South America or China depending on which other theories you listen to)

[Zed]

>On the 2006 NZ Census form, when you are asked for your ethnicity, choose the option “Other” and state your ethnicity as “New Zealander”What an outrage that it isn't at the top of the list like it should be! Not logical or reasonable. :blink:

[myvice]

Born here, Kiwi/New Zealander and proud of it!

[Lias]

Other -> White New Zealander

[TwoSeven]

They should use ethnicity as well as 'new zealander' because there are quite a few services that need to be tailored for differernt people (health stuff for example).

So I think it should be Maori New Zealander, Chinese New Zealander, French New Zealander, English New Zealander, Tongan New Zealander and Pakeha NZer for the politically correct way of saying white NZr (people born here).

How you choose which one is done the normal way.

Personally I think it allows everyone to call themselves New Zealanders and also allow people to celibrate their own cultures - something that kiwis dont seem to take into consideration.

[MisterD]

If it was really about ethnicity the list would be Caucasian, Polynesian, Melanesian etc etc. But it's not, it's about PC bollocks.

[TwoSeven]

Wikipedia:
An ethnic group is a group of people who identify with one another, or are so identified by others, on the basis of a boundary that distinguishes them from other groups. This boundary may take any of a number of forms -- racial, cultural, linguistic, economic, religious, political -- and may be more or less porous. Because of this boundary, members of an ethnic group are often presumed to be culturally or biologically similar, although this is not in fact necessarily the case.


Calling someone a caucasion would include about 1/4 of the planet, Polynesian would include half of the pacific. I dont think that would be a good ethnic classification.

[Mooch]

Let's play state the freaking obvious shall we?

You are a New Zealand - European if your ancestors were European. Fact. So face it. Tick the freakin box FFS.

Your family's history didn't begin when they first stepped foot on these shores, irrespective of your ethnicity. Your family's lineagae goes back a long, long way. And when exactly do you stop admitting your heritage if your whining about there not being a New Zealander only box? 1, 2 generations?

I'd like to be able to look back in 20 years time and find a reliable statistic telling me how many European/Asian/Maori/Indian/Klingon descendants lived here in 2006, and compare it to modern day stats. .

Quit whining, it could be worse. I’ve got fking French blood in me. Thankfully my great, great, great gran had some taste. Despite being a Frog - she let a Welshman pork her.

Be proud to be a New Zealander – and be proud of your family’s history say I.

Heh biff , was down at the local curry house and a bunch of Londoner locals were saying the welsh are known for sheep shagging. They same group also started slagging of Austrailians saying how slow they are so I know they are telling the truth. They were highly respectable office clarks as it turn out. Most of them still living at home.

Are you going to tick other and put in sheep shagger ?

[Winston001]

So what if your ancestors were Spanish. And English . And Maori. And North American. And Scots. And German. And Punjabi.

And you have to go back 7 generations and 200 odd years to NOT be a New Zealander.


I have no ties to Europe.

The census question is to find what your ethnic identity is. As opposed to your nationality which is the flag you were born under or adopted.

Ethnic roots run deep. Most people know the culture their ancestors came from, if not the details. In my case, I consider myself ethnically Scottish despite having Cornish and Spanish blood as well. Ultimately one culture dominates.

Many Maori have very diluted genes but they identify themselves as Maori. And that is fine. Its what the statisticians want to know, and it is interesting data for the future.

European basically means ethnically derived from European gene pools. It is a flawed catchall. Caucasian would be better but it isn't a common word in NZ so would cause confusion.

[Ixion]

I don't consider myself any of those. I consider myself a New Zealander. There *IS* a unique New zealand culture and identity, distinct and different to any of the various races that settled NZ . And different to Maori. Which is my objection to the census. I am not any of those ancestrys. The have mingled and merged, and the result is a NEW identity. New Zealander. Maybe takes a few hundred years for the mixing to take place , but so what.

[ahamay]

Think I heard there is a segment on TV3/Campbell tomorrow night where they are addressing this issue. Could be interesting to watch to see what the "official" reasoning behind this is.

[Biff]

a bunch of Londoner locals were saying the welsh are known for sheep shagging. They same group also started slagging of Austrailians saying how slow they are so I know they are telling the truth. They were highly respectable office clarks as it turn out. Most of them still living at home

The only reason I moved here my friend was because I heard the sheep were better looking here, and that the locals knew some great tricks for catching and holding onto those hairy biatches (velcro gloves etc).

Londoners - respectable ? Londoners are as respectable as my left testicle is an airline pilot. Thieving, dodgy, cockney w@nkers.

(Sorry Mrs Biff - I meant all Londoners apart from you, your family, our friends, and the Queen. Because the Queen gets someone to do it for her).

[ManDownUnder]

The only reason I moved here my friend was because I heard the sheep were better looking here, and that the locals knew some great tricks for catching and holding onto those hairy biatches (velcro gloves etc).


yup - buy some oversized gumboots, put their back feet in with yours... a pair of velcro gloves...

[Hitcher]

yup - buy some oversized gumboots, put their back feet in with yours... a pair of velcro gloves...
How on earth is one expected to be able to kiss them in that position?

[ManDownUnder]

How on earth is one expected to be able to kiss them in that position?

...threesome...

[Wolf]

yup - buy some oversized gumboots, put their back feet in with yours... a pair of velcro gloves...
And take 'em to the top of a cliff - they push back harder... or so I hear :whistle:

AFAIK, the first of my family born in New Zealand was my great grandfather on my mother's side, in 1869.

Both parents, all four grand parents and at least one of my great grandparents were born in New Zealand (I know one great grandparent was born aboard the Inverness on her way here.)

My siblings and I were all born here as were all our children and even my siblings' children have children of their own (I started late having kids, my own nieces and nephews beat me to it.)

How many generations do you have to have been here before the Govt stops thinking of you as a foreigner?

I am proud of my mixed Celtic ancestry and I do intend to some day visit the civilised parts of the Ununited Kingdom and get an idea of where my ancestors came from, but culturally I am a New Zealander - our culture is unique - racially I'm a mongrel of various, predominently Celtic, races. European? OK, the Celts did migrate to the isles from Europe but that was so many years ago that the Romans actually had to rely on the Greeks for religion and culture instead of stealing it from the Jews...

What are they asking? "What colour are you?"?

On baby Inverness' Birth Registration form I ticked "NZ Euro" and wrote "New Zealander" in the "Other" slot to cover all bases.

Will probably do the same on the Census form. Yeah, I may have some remote ties to Europe - enough to include the Celtic Museum in Hungary, La Tene in Switzerland and the Headwaters of the Donau within the Black Forest in my pilgrimage - but I'm a New Zealander by culture.

[Kendog]

Be proud to be a New Zealander – and be proud of your family’s history say I.[/QUOTE]

After having to study much about ethnicity and nationality, I actually don't mind being called Pakeha, not so sure about being called a European New Zealander though. Because I am proud of the fact that my ancestors who came to New Zealand to build a better life, basicaly worked the land into something they could make a living from and made this country what it is today. The fact that they wanted to be here and worked themselves to the bone to do it is something I think we Pakeha should be proud of, I know I am. I am not a Maori, but the word Pakeha no longer offends me as I now understand its true meaning, it is to many, the other indigenous New Zealand culture.
Rant finished, just my opinion of course.
Mrs KD.

[pritch]

I believe that perhaps it's time to ease off celebrating our differences and to start celebrating what we have in common.

The head of the Statistics Dept stated on TV that the ethnicity question had to remain the same for the sake of consistency.

A consistently silly question is still a silly question.
(And I intend to write that on the form, it'll make me feel better if nothing else.)

I believe that what has happened recently with UK born muslims blowing up their own countrymen can be attributed to the sort of attitude that has led to schools not having nativity scenes in case it offends muslims or whoever. These people had never been taught to have pride in the culture or history of their new home.

We can go down the same road or we can choose to be proud to be ourselves, all of us, as New Zealanders.

You fill in the form as you like, I know what I'm writing.

[NordieBoy]

ok... thanks :p
Stupid SAffer...

:eyepoke:

Not a Vaalie are you?

PS. p/t.

[Biff]

How on earth is one expected to be able to kiss them in that position?

Why kiss the lips on their face when their arse is in your face?



Rant finished, just my opinion of course.
Mrs KD.

Nothing wrong with expressin an opinion Mrs KD. We're all entitled to one. And what better place to air it than here. Because no-one ever gives you a hard time here simply for expressing your own opinion. As long as you wear full protective clothing while you do it, otherwise you risk bringing about the collapse of society as we know it.

[Finn]

Be proud to be a New Zealander – and be proud of your family’s history say I. After having to study much about ethnicity and nationality, I actually don't mind being called Pakeha


The problem with education in NZ is all the hidden agenda's of ideology and social engineering. The outset of your education was to not mind being called a pakeha.

I used to call myself a New Zealander but now I'm just too embarrassed to admit it. I gave up taking this country seriously years ago. It's a social experiment gone horribly wrong.

[MSTRS]

I'll be expecting TheCall in a few days......somehow, my form has PROTEST written across some questions:motu:

[Hitcher]

Why kiss the lips on their face when their arse is in your face?
If ovine felching is your thing, then go for it.

[Maha]

Well, i was last time i looked, and that would have been sometime this morning, you know?.. bathroom/mirror, quick glance, hang on !!! that thing seems to be way browner than the rest of me, maybe im turning into a ....... ah na its all good, i have figured it out now..........:killingme

[oldrider]

I don't consider myself any of those. I consider myself a New Zealander. There *IS* a unique New zealand culture and identity, distinct and different to any of the various races that settled NZ . And different to Maori. Which is my objection to the census. I am not any of those ancestrys. The have mingled and merged, and the result is a NEW identity. New Zealander. Maybe takes a few hundred years for the mixing to take place , but so what.
I agree with you Ixion.

I filled in this years census, "other", New Zealander! :eek:

All that other crap is too far back for me to know anything about it and besides that's what they came out here to get away from and start anew. :finger:

I am not a European. :oi-grr: I am a New Zealander of mixed race origin. :yes: As are "most" so called Maoris. (No disrespect intended) Cheers John.

[Hitcher]

Well, I hope everybody remembered to complete their Census forms and has them handy for when the collector calls to uplift them.

We will now have to wait several months before the first of the results are announced. Such excitement!

[Drunken Monkey]

If ovine felching is your thing, then go for it.

That's the best use of the word 'felching' I've seen yet. An instant classic!

[Lou Girardin]

Perhaps they need to rephrase the question if they don't actually want ethnicity.
They could ask who/what you feel like?
I'm quite proud to put NZ/European, it's dead accurate.

[Grahameeboy]

Perhaps they need to rephrase the question if they don't actually want ethnicity.
They could ask who/what you feel like?
I'm quite proud to put NZ/European, it's dead accurate.

Dunno what all the fuss is about.

I was Born in UK so ut NZ/European as I have my Citizenship etc.
My Daughter was born in NZ so I put 'Other' -New Zealander

You either want PC or you don't?

Simple.

[MisterD]

Simple.

Describes the designers of the census perfectly...