New Zealand, which was originally only inhabited by the Maori, has long been inhabited primarily by those of European descent. Those of European descent consist of more than two thirds of New Zealand’s total population. The Maori, although their numbers have diminished, still represent the largest minority group in New Zealand at about fifteen percent. The next largest minority group, the Asians, are one of the newly rising populations in New Zealand. In just over ten years, their population has risen from five to just over ten percent and they are now a formidable presence in New Zealand. All the ethnicities tend to meld together in the big cities. This is especially true in the city of Auckland, the largest populated city in New Zealand. Auckland is the most diverse city as well, with half of its residents being of European descent and the other half made of up completely of minority ethnicities. The rising immigration of Asians to New Zealand has sparked some unrest amongst European New zealanders who believe that the flood of immigration is lessening the job supply and taking overseas contracts
New Zealand has traditionally held the common view on gender roles for men and women. Men were expected to be the breadwinners while the women would stay at home and raise the children. However, New Zealand has progressed greatly in regards to gender equality and continues to make great strides towards this. New Zealand women over more recent years have started redefining traditional gender roles and displaying great amounts of independance.
The country has also made large strides on the issue of LGBT rights. Although much legislation has been passed over the last thirty years in New Zealand, most notable and no doubt most important is the legalization of gay marriage in 2013. New Zealand was the 13th country to make this move and it shows that they are a very progressive country in this area. These strides are fairly recents though and show a great shift for the traditionally Christian dominated society of New Zealand.
Sources
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10878135
http://www.everyculture.com/Ma-Ni/New-Zealand.html
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=9&ved=0CDYQFjAI&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomen.govt.nz%2Fnew-zealand-women&ei=4dFRVej8IIT8oAT354GIAQ&usg=AFQjCNEeFxpAQH7ufiCbHhEw1WnRkvgKIA&sig2=V4GEbMC3HL40M9S0xFLsJg
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=6&ved=0CDUQFjAF&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stats.govt.nz%2FCensus%2F2006CensusHomePage%2FQuickStats%2Fquickstats-about-a-subject%2Fculture-and-identity%2Fethnic-groups-in-new-zealand.aspx&ei=_dFRVbniF4XwoAS7_4CQAg&usg=AFQjCNEwMdSekH2c21J6n64rTPDFAKp6eg&sig2=kEtAlZsnja4GD5-oH_HsVQ&bvm=bv.92885102,d.cGU
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=15&ved=0CGgQFjAO&url=http%3A%2F%2Fethniccommunities.govt.nz%2Fstory%2Fnew-zealands-population-now-more-ethnically-diverse&ei=_dFRVbniF4XwoAS7_4CQAg&usg=AFQjCNEpMUxfPPIdncEL23Od-7Txau1qmw&sig2=wcZPqytUN6fRkTX4dtMIVQ
New Zealand has traditionally held the common view on gender roles for men and women. Men were expected to be the breadwinners while the women would stay at home and raise the children. However, New Zealand has progressed greatly in regards to gender equality and continues to make great strides towards this. New Zealand women over more recent years have started redefining traditional gender roles and displaying great amounts of independance.
The country has also made large strides on the issue of LGBT rights. Although much legislation has been passed over the last thirty years in New Zealand, most notable and no doubt most important is the legalization of gay marriage in 2013. New Zealand was the 13th country to make this move and it shows that they are a very progressive country in this area. These strides are fairly recents though and show a great shift for the traditionally Christian dominated society of New Zealand.
Sources
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10878135
http://www.everyculture.com/Ma-Ni/New-Zealand.html
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=9&ved=0CDYQFjAI&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomen.govt.nz%2Fnew-zealand-women&ei=4dFRVej8IIT8oAT354GIAQ&usg=AFQjCNEeFxpAQH7ufiCbHhEw1WnRkvgKIA&sig2=V4GEbMC3HL40M9S0xFLsJg
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=6&ved=0CDUQFjAF&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stats.govt.nz%2FCensus%2F2006CensusHomePage%2FQuickStats%2Fquickstats-about-a-subject%2Fculture-and-identity%2Fethnic-groups-in-new-zealand.aspx&ei=_dFRVbniF4XwoAS7_4CQAg&usg=AFQjCNEwMdSekH2c21J6n64rTPDFAKp6eg&sig2=kEtAlZsnja4GD5-oH_HsVQ&bvm=bv.92885102,d.cGU
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=15&ved=0CGgQFjAO&url=http%3A%2F%2Fethniccommunities.govt.nz%2Fstory%2Fnew-zealands-population-now-more-ethnically-diverse&ei=_dFRVbniF4XwoAS7_4CQAg&usg=AFQjCNEpMUxfPPIdncEL23Od-7Txau1qmw&sig2=wcZPqytUN6fRkTX4dtMIVQ