Cultural Diversity and Social Change
Result
That newcomers settle into the Buller and are able to integrate, participate and enjoy
being part of the community.
Target Population
All newcomers to the Buller region. This includes new migrants to New Zealand and
New Zealand citizens moving to the region.
How will success be measured?
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Newcomers to the region report that they are settled, feel part of the community,
and are able to participate in the life of their community (in Newcomers surveys).
Census data reflects the details of the new migrants in the community
What did the people of Buller tell us?
The 2006 census data shows a change in cultural diversity in the region, but the
population figures have changed considerably in Buller since the census date.
Many newcomers to Buller have been recruited and employed by the local mining
industry. Sometimes only one partner in a family is legally able to be in paid work.
This means that the other partner may not qualify for all the pre-employment
supports available. Agencies reported that many people in this situation look for
voluntary work as a way to connect to the community. A barrier to this opportunity
can be the knowledge of English language.
A barrier to settling in Buller is the distance to specialist services, and tertiary
healthcare, especially maternity care for new families to the region. Housing options
can be limited for new families to access.
It was acknowledged that some newcomers are unaware of how small and rural
Buller is before they arrive. Some are not able to adapt to this and move away from
the area. There has been considerable investment in community facilities by local
and regional council, the Buller Development Coorporation and industry to improve
this situation. The new Contact Energy Centre, the Performance Arts theatre, plans
for the new museum, and the development of the new “cultural hub” is addressing
some of the concerns identified.
Newcomers from other countries are settling into the region, and are adding vibrancy
and cultural diversity to the community. Support agencies report that the local
community is welcoming, but there are not enough opportunities to meet together to
help develop friendships. The Newcomers Network is providing opportunities to hold
shared meals and coffee sessions to assist people to meet each other and to reduce
social isolation.
What the data tells us
Population
2006 – The 2006 Population Census recorded a resident population of 9,700, a 0.8%
increase on 2001. While that change was small compared with national growth of
7.8%, it followed an 8.5% drop in the district’s population between 1996 and 2001.
Usually-resident population of Buller District by area unit,
1996, 2001 and 2006
1996
4,239
1,062
1,044
645
2001
3,783
1,062
987
636
2006
3,900
1,218
948
612
Westport Urban
Westport Rural
Reefton
Orowaiti
Buller
Coalfields
564
498
489
Karamea
450
444
423
Mawheraiti
393
378
360
Inangahua
Valley
351
309
321
Charleston
282
306
276
HectorNgakawau
357
300
234
Granity
315
243
219
Little Wanganui
231
204
204
Mokihinui
234
162
174
Maruia
168
162
171
Inangahua
Junction
177
147
159
Inlet-Buller
River
0
0
3
Total
10,515
9,624
9,702
Source: Census of Population and Dwellings, 2006
Ethnic diversity
Buller District has far less ethnic diversity than the country as a whole. At the 2006
Census, 81% of residents identified as ‘European’ (68% nationally), and 16%
identified as ‘New Zealanders’ (11% nationwide). All other ethnic groups were underrepresented compared with their national presence. A little under 9% of the district’s
residents identified as Māori (15% nationwide), and less than 1% of residents
affiliated to either an Asian or Pacific Island ethnic group (9% and 7% respectively
across New Zealand).1
1
Percentages total more than 100 because an individual can identify with more than one ethnic group
and all are counted.
Ethnic group (excluding "European" and "New Zealander"), 2006:
All New Zealand and Buller District
Percent of
resident population
16
All New Zealand
14
Buller District
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
Māori
Asian
Pacific Peoples
Other
Ethnic group
Source: Census of Population and Dwellings, 2006
The district’s youth showed a little more ethnic diversity than the Buller population as
a whole. While over 80% of each youth age group identified as ‘European’, the
proportions identifying as ‘New Zealander’ were smaller than the district-wide figure
of 16% (10% of 12-14 and 15-19 year-olds, and 12% of 20-24 year-olds). The
proportions identifying as Māori were higher than average for the district (16% of 1214 year-olds, 18% of 15-19 year-olds and 12% of 20-24 year-olds).
Birthplace
The district has proportionately far fewer overseas-born residents than New Zealand
as a whole (10% in 2006 compared with 23% nationally). The country’s most
common overseas birthplace, the UK and Ireland, accounted for 4% of residents (7%
nationally). As might be expected from the district’s ethnic composition, the Pacific
Islands and Asia were the most under-represented overseas birthplaces.
Summary of Actions Underway
-
-
A Settling In report was completed in 2009 for the Buller region by family and
Community Services.
From this report, a “Newcomers Network” has been established, with a
coordinator working to assist people to settle into the region.
Funding for English language learning has been provided for those whose first
language is not English. Not all newcomers are able to access this, if they are
not able to work in New Zealand
A collaboration of agencies and industry has worked together to employ a person
to help settle families into the area