New Zealanders warming to Asians but cool on economic links: survey

New Zealanders are connecting more happily with Asian people, but are less likely to recognize any benefits from the economic links with Asia, according to a major survey of attitudes out Tuesday. Respondents in the Asia New Zealand Foundation's annual New Zealanders' Perceptions of Asia and Asian Peoples 2014 survey reported a higher level of involvement with Asian people and cultures and an increased sense of integration between Asian and non-Asian New Zealanders.

For the first time in five years, the survey showed a significant increase in New Zealanders saying they had "a lot" or "a fair amount" to do with Asian peoples and cultures, up from 44 percent in 2013 to 50 percent.

At the same time, fewer New Zealanders agreed that Asian people did not mix well with New Zealanders, down from 34 percent to 28 percent.

But survey respondents were less positive about the benefits of the New Zealand's economic relationship with Asia, particularly when it came to investment.

The survey found 64 percent agreed with a survey statement that investment from Asia would have positive impacts on New Zealand's economy, down from 74 percent in 2013.

More people, 41 percent up from 36 percent, agreed with the statement that New Zealand was allowing too much investment from Asia.

The survey also found that 83 percent of New Zealanders thought that school children should learn a language other than English, with Chinese the most commonly named language, but nearly five times as many secondary school students learn French.

Asia New Zealand Foundation chairman John Luxton said the latest survey in the series conducted since 1997 was "nuanced and complex."

"It shows a growing acceptance of Asian people as part of the fabric of New Zealand life, and an increased understanding of the need for our education system to reflect the significance of Asia to New Zealand," Luxton said in a statement.

The survey also shows some concerns about investment from Asia and the perceived impact of Asian buyers on the overheated housing market, he said.

"However, the survey also shows that the majority of New Zealanders view the Asian region as important to New Zealand's future, second only to Australia. In particular, they recognize the importance of exports to Asia and tourism from the region," said Luxton.

Minister for Ethnic Communities Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga said it was pleasing to see non-Asian New Zealanders were seeing the benefits of ethnic diversity, not just economically but culturally.

"As our diversity continues to grow every year, many ethnic communities are becoming more established and enriching our cultural landscape," Lotu-Iiga said in a statement. Endi