A recent survey by the Asia New Zealand Foundation revealed that when New Zealanders think about Asia, China is the first country that comes to mind, associated strongly with food. However, feelings towards China are mixed, with 37% finding China threatening and 30% perceiving it as friendly.
The survey, titled “New Zealanders’ Perception of Asia and Asian Peoples,” included 2,323 participants aged 15 and older. It covered various themes, including Asia’s significance to New Zealand, Asian politics, security, economy, and general knowledge related to travel, food, and entertainment.
Key findings:
- 80% of New Zealanders believe strengthening political, economic, and social ties with Asia is crucial.
- 90% think it’s vital for New Zealand to invest in building partnerships with Asia.
- 75% support enhancing New Zealand’s relationship with Asia through trade, and 71% back government exchanges with Asian countries.
- 87% of participants have a fondness for Asian food.
- 78% prefer Asia as a travel destination.
- 59% show interest in Asian music, arts, and literature.
On the security front, 63% expressed concerns about potential military conflict in East Asia. There’s an overall positive outlook on Asia’s influence on New Zealand for the upcoming decades, but there are also worries about Asia’s political and security developments affecting New Zealand.
In terms of friendliness, countries like Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and the Philippines ranked high. Sentiments towards countries like Pakistan, Vietnam, and Indonesia have improved since 2021. While 49% of New Zealanders view India as friendly, Russia and North Korea are seen as significant threats.
Half of the participants believed they have a good understanding of Asia, a rise from just 33% in 2013. However, there were mixed views on media coverage of Asia, with some feeling it’s too much, some too little, and others thinking it’s balanced.
The Asia New Zealand Foundation, founded in 1994, aims to help New Zealanders grow their understanding and connection with Asia.
