1. Mapping the state of the nation:
Recent findings from the New Zealand
Attitudes and Values Study
Dr. Chris Sibley, University of Auckland
Prof. Colleen Ward, Victoria University of Wellington

2. The New Zealand Attitudes and Values Study
The New Zealand Attitudes and Values Study (NZAVS) is a
longitudinal national postal study which I lead. The NZAVS
aims to track changes in various social psychological and
health factors for up to the next 20 years.
2009 N = 6518
2010 N = 4442 (68% retention)
2011 N = 6887 (60% retention, and 2973 new)
The study measures a range of self-report attitudes and
outcomes relating to prejudice and tolerance in New
Zealand each year.

3. What makes a successful multicultural society?
First, there needs to be general support for
multiculturalism… and of cultural diversity as a valuable
resource for a society. Second, there should be overall low
levels of intolerance or prejudice in the population. Third,
there should be generally positive mutual attitudes
among the various ethnocultural groups that constitute
the society. And fourth, there needs to be a degree of
attachment to the larger Canadian society, but without
derogation of its constituent ethnocultural groups.
Berry and Kalin (1995, p. 302)

4. What makes a successful multicultural society?
First, there needs to be general support for
multiculturalism… and of cultural diversity as a valuable
resource for a society. Second, there should be overall low
levels of intolerance or prejudice in the population. Third,
there should be generally positive mutual attitudes
among the various ethnocultural groups that constitute
the society. And fourth, there needs to be a degree of
attachment to the larger Canadian society, but without
derogation of its constituent ethnocultural groups.
Berry and Kalin (1995, p. 302)

5. General support for multiculturalism
Scale items:
“True equality can be achieved only once we
recognize that some ethnic groups are
currently more disadvantaged than others
and require additional assistance from the
government.”
“We are all New Zealanders and the law
should not make provision for minority groups
because of their ethnicity.” (reversed)
“We are all one nation and we should all be
treated the same. No one should be entitled
to anything more than the rest of us simply
because they belong to one particular ethnic
group.” (reversed)
From Sibley et al. (2011, NZJP)

6. Low levels of intolerance or prejudice
Scale item:
“People from other races would be likely to
reject me on the basis of my race.”
From Sibley and Ward (in prep.)

7. Low levels of intolerance or prejudice
Scale item:
“Feel that I am often discriminated against because of my ethnicity.”
From Sibley et al. (in prep.)

8. Positive mutual attitudes among groups
From Sibley et al. (2011, NZJP)

9. Positive mutual attitudes among groups
From Sibley and Ward (in prep.)

10. Attachment to the larger society
Scale items:
“I feel a great pride in the land that is our
New Zealand.”
“Although at times I may not agree with the
government, my commitment to New Zealand
always remains strong.”
From Sibley and Ward (in prep.)

11. Equality of health and wellbeing outcomes
Scale items:
Item Response Weighted item scores from the validated Kessler-6
measure of non-specific psychological distress
From Krynen and Sibley (in prep.)

12. How does New Zealand stack up?
The NZAVS data indicate that
1.Pakeha are viewed favourably by all groups (a pro-
majority bias). Asians tend be viewed least favourably.
There is asymmetry between Pacific and Maori
attitudes of one another.
2.Asian people, as a broad category, experience the
most discrimination in New Zealand, and have the
highest concerns about race-based rejection.
3.People from all four groups show a high level of
attachment to New Zealand
4.Pakeha show the lowest level of support for
multiculturalism generally.
5.Pacific and Asian people are the most at risk of
psychological distress.