The Good vs Bad parts of New Zealand culture
This is a personal blog where I write about how we, in New Zealand, can make a significant influence on the world. To receive this blog in your inbox, subscribe here:
Culture is a difficult topic to discuss.
For us in New Zealand, it affects our sense of identity, our everyday interactions, our national brand and our ability to influence the world.
But as of yet, there is still not a cohesive narrative that answers the question…
What is it that binds us together, as people from the same nation?
This is what I believe are some of the good and bad parts about NZ culture.
Kiwis are internationally recognised as being laid back and able to get along with other cultures. Our casual approach to life may seem like a breath of fresh air to those that live under harsher societal expectations. However this state of mind may have been taken too far. The ‘chill’ mindset has led too many Kiwis down the mistaken path where nothing really matters. Our conversations habitually revolve around small talk and personal matters are never discussed. Criticism of ‘banter’ is considered blasphemy and important questions can be brushed aside as being too deep. As COVID has shown, what is important to us is our sense of community. Let’s talk about that.
Whether the Old Boys Club still exists or is a myth in the narrative of some, it seems ironic. Our small size means we have a very interconnected population, often described as 2 degrees of separation. In a nation where the people are so intertwined, it would be silly to think an exclusive group of Old Boys could be effective in having it their way.
People may seem friendly on the surface but may actually be stand off. They act like good friends when you bump into them but how often have you actually been invited into their home? Getting to know the neighbours seems less common. In a world where mental health is in a state of crisis, being stand off-ish is not going to help our sense of wellbeing. Our sense of whānau, and our willingness to help each other will.
As a young adult returning to New Zealand it was extremely difficult to find a group of local friends. People had already found their cliques and seemed content within their comfort bubble. If only we were more welcoming as we are easy going.
Being on a tiny island, far away from the other parts of the world has bred small town syndrome. The internet changes this. Our young generations are growing up consuming international media and having a global perspective. As our citizens understand more about global affairs and how change happens, they will see the crucial part NZ plays in the world.
We can’t have diversity if the people don’t interact or communicate with one another but rather stick to their own. Separate communities can tend to form, since there is little shared identity that binds us together. What we want is interdependent communities that mutually benefit from one another and can be proud of where they come from.
Tall Poppy syndrome sucks. It only serves to pull us downwards. We want more leaders and affluent people that play the important role of improving the lives of others. We don’t achieve that by pulling them down and hating on them - that just encourages them to build bigger walls around their bigger mansions. I hope our leaders will shine forth as benevolent and humble, and be respected for that. The All Blacks is our greatest testament to that.
[The book Legacy by James Kerr brings to light the principles that make the All Blacks so great, not just as an extremely successful sports team, but as role models for the nation. I highly recommend it even if you don’t like rugby.]
Geographically and politically we have no obvious enemies, as a nation. This is a great thing for safety but it also means we have little driving us to survive. Without a challenge or a mission, there is little that binds us to push forward and life can become meaningless. “She’ll be right” becomes avoiding problems rather than solving them.
In the present world of abundant choices and very few threats, New Zealanders have many options to take the easy route. It can lead our society towards being selfish and lazy consumers. However our ancestors were different - they were innovators and voyagers; those that saw things differently to the general population. They were brave enough enough to travel across the oceans in the hopes of building a better life and a better society. They had to find ways to make it work with their limited resources, hence our No.8 wire ingenuity. Let’s revitalize that part of our whakapapa and remember those pioneers that made it all possible.
We bear witness to developments on both sides of the culture battle…
Symptoms that the bad side is winning:
Youth Mental Health Crisis
Binge Drinking Culture
Departures of our capable citizens to other countries for better opportunities
Poor Māori incarceration and education outcomes
Indicators of our good side winning:
Many Kiwis come back from overseas to raise children
A highly valued international brand
Low corruption and ease of starting a business
The importance of Māori and Pasifika culture being better recognized
Our kaitiakitanga (guardianship of the land)
I appreciate those that are playing a role in improving our culture, moving us towards a better society.
One that the world can learn from.
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