NEW ZEALANDERS’ VIEWS ON COMMEMORATING HISTORICAL EVENTS AUGUST 2 0 1 9 PAGE TABLE OF 1 Background and objectives 3 CONTENTS 2 Research approach 4 3 Summary of key results 6 4 Detailed findings 9 How engaged are New Zealanders in commemorations currently? 9 Why do New Zealanders engage or not? 17 What would encourage deeper engagement in commemorations? 23 Which ways of commemorating appeal most? 30 How relevant and important are different events in our history? 34 Views on the Tuia - Encounters 250 commemoration 38 Views on the annual New Zealand Wars commemorations 44 Views on the annual Waitangi Day commemorations 49 5 Appendix 61 Background and objectives The Ministry for Culture and Heritage wants to The key objective of the research is to discover the factors that know what New Zealanders think about the encourage New Zealanders to engage with commemorative commemoration of historical anniversaries activities or that act as barriers to such engagement The aim is to understand their attitudes towards commemorative activities in order to: - maximise the reach and impact of commemorations, and An additional objective is to establish baseline data for measuring the impact of the Tuia - Encounters 250 commemoration - ensure all New Zealanders experience the social benefits of engagement Colmar Brunton 2019 3 Research approach Colmar Brunton was commissioned to conduct two stages of research Stage 1: A nationally representative survey 2,089 online interviews with New Zealanders aged 15 years or over Stage 2: Two focus groups • One group with young Māori • One group with Asian migrants (a demographic group who are less interested and engaged with commemorations based on the online survey results) Details about each stage can be found in the appendix Colmar Brunton 2019 4 Definition of commemorations Commemorations are a way to officially remember an important event, on a meaningful anniversary. Commemorative activities can be formal or informal, as well as traditional or creative. They can remind us of both tragic and positive events. For example, last year the New Zealanders who responded to the government commemorated 100 years since the end of the First World War, and 125 years online survey were shown the following of women’s suffrage (or right to vote). definition of commemorations… For the next few questions, where we mention commemorations we are talking about milestone anniversaries such as a 50th or 100th. We are not talking about commemorations that are held every year on a particular date. Focus group participants received a similar explanation of what commemorations are. The majority of this report therefore covers New Zealanders’ views on the commemoration of milestone anniversaries of important events in New Zealand’s history. In contrast, the final two sections of the report cover the annual commemoration of the New Zealand Wars and Waitangi Day. Colmar Brunton 2019 5 SUMMARY: CURRENT ENGAGEMENT WITH COMMEMORATIONS Method: Online survey of 2089 New Zealanders Fieldwork: Online survey 9 to 28 May 2019 Demographic results: Additional findings for sub-groups aged 15+ years. Two focus groups; one with Focus groups 15 to 19 July 2019 can be found in the report young Māori and one with Asian migrants ENGAGEMENT WITH MILESTONE COMMEMORATIONS GROUPS LESS INTERESTED AND ENGAGED WAYS TO DEEPEN ENGAGEMENT The majority of New Zealanders are interested in commemorations and have engaged Certain groups are less interested and engaged Overall, New Zealanders suggest three main ways to enable with them recently… than average. There is... them to engage more deeply than they currently do... 6 in 10 Less interest among: are highly interested in the idea of Make it easy for them to take part commemorating important events in our history Asian New Zealanders (particularly e.g. events in a convenient location near 34% Chinese migrants) their home 3 in 4 Those who don't strongly agree belonging engaged with at least one recent milestone to NZ is an important part of their identity Inform them about upcoming events so commemoration 28% 15 to 24 year olds they can plan ahead 1 in 3 Those with lower education levels engaged deeply (i.e. organised, participated in, Ensure there is widespread interest in or attended something) 21% Lower engagement among: the topics and ways of commemorating MOTIVATORS AND BARRIERS TO ENGAGEMENT New migrants (lived in NZ 5 or less years) Asian New Zealanders Top 3 reasons for engaging are to... Top 3 reasons for not engaging Those who don't strongly agree belonging to NZ is an important part of who they are include a lack of... 15 to 45 year olds Learn more about New Zealand 1 1 Interest Those with lower education levels history or build upon their interest Remember the people and events 2 2 Accessibility This analysis indicates it can take time to build your involved relationship to a nation and feel connected to its Feel connected to others, and part 3 3 Inclusivity commemorations. Consideration of what and how we of something commemorate could help to accelerate this process. Colmar Brunton 2019 6 SUMMARY: WHAT AND HOW TO COMMEMORATE Method: Online survey of 2089 New Zealanders Fieldwork: Online survey 9 to 28 May 2019 Demographic results: Additional findings for sub-groups aged 15+ years. Two focus groups; one with Focus groups 15 to 19 July 2019 can be found in the report young Māori and one with Asian migrants RELEVANCE AND IMPORTANCE OF HISTORICAL EVENTS APPEALING WAYS OF COMMEMORATING New Zealanders feel the most personally relevant and important Overall, the most appealing ways of % that find this Most New Zealanders agree that Waitangi Day… historical event (of the nine they were shown) is the introduction of commemorating are... highly appealing “[The event] has to be something you can take part legislation requiring equal pay for equal work among men and women. in...activities and performances that bring it to life Film, television or radio documentaries 65% otherwise people get bored." Asian migrant, Male, 32 years (Higher 83% feel it's personally relevant Formal ceremonies (e.g. like Anzac ones) 55% than 2002 60%) feel it has been important in helping Museum or art gallery exhibitions 54% “I would like to learn more about [tikanga] and 88% develop our national identity perform some of it if possible...[so I can learn] what the different things mean.” Asian migrant, Female, 29 years Celebrations of positive values like equity, inclusivity, But one size will not fit all. Some groups (including some kindness and peace often resonate at a personal of the less engaged) are more likely than average to find level. Events in New Zealand's history that embody other ways of commemorating appealing. these qualities and values feel relevant and engaging. Compared to all New Zealanders... New migrants, Asian peoples, Māori and Pacific peoples are more into: “You can still see how those events shape New Zealand today...everyone benefits from them." - Community festivals (e.g. Waitangi Day festival) Asian migrant, Female, 29 years - Watching a performance (e.g. theatre, dance, concert, kapa haka) - Participating in creative or artistic activities (e.g. making a banner “These events are our values and something to be proud or taking part in a theatrical performance) about." Māori, Male, 35 years Younger New Zealanders aged 15 to 24 years are also more into participating in creative or artistic activities. Colmar Brunton 2019 7 SUMMARY: TUIA 250, WAITANGI DAY AND THE LAND WARS Method: Online survey of 2089 New Zealanders Fieldwork: Online survey 9 to 28 May 2019 Demographic results: Additional findings for sub-groups aged 15+ years. Two focus groups; one with Focus groups 15 to 19 July 2019 can be found in the report young Māori and one with Asian migrants VIEWS ON TUIA 250 COMMEMORATION VIEWS ON THE ANNUAL WAITANGI DAY COMMEMORATIONS VIEWS ON COMMEMORATIONS OF THE NEW ZEALAND WARS There is widespread agreement with the key Most New Zealanders agree that Waitangi Day… For Māori, including te reo Māori and tikanga is crucial messages Tuia 250 will promote. Should be a day for commemoration for Waitangi Day. and reflection 76% Most New Zealanders agree that… (Higher than “We need to have te reo and tikanga front We should care for our environment Is New Zealand’s National Day 75% 2002, 60%) and centre.” 90% and oceans Māori, Male, 28 years Only Should be a day for participation and 73% (Lower than celebration of our nationhood 2002, 77%) 3 in 10 It is important to hear the stories of both English translation will make it more inclusive. 78% New Zealanders know there’s a Māori and later settlers to New Zealand Lower attendance national day of commemoration for 16% of New Higher attendance Zealanders took part in among NZ the New Zealand Wars each year. among Māori The commemoration could be more open through It is important to honestly discuss the activities to celebrate Europeans community and grassroots events that encouraged first encounters between Māori and 72% or commemorate Europeans 33% 14% participation from everyone including Māori and Pākehā. Waitangi Day in 2019. And just 2 in 10 engaged with “[Waitangi Day] was the formation of New the 2018 commemoration of the Zealand in some ways...everyone should take New Zealand Wars in some way. But just 6% of New Zealanders are aware The main way New Zealanders did participate was to part in it.” of the upcoming Tuia 250 commemorations. attend an organised family or community day activity. Asian migrant, Female, 32 years Those who didn’t engage say they weren’t interested, or mentioned The most common reasons for not attending include a lack of accessibility or inclusivity issues. For young Māori who aren’t aware there is interest, accessibility and inclusivity, or having other plans.