Survey supports FTAs with Asian countries

Support increases for FTAs with Asian countries – survey
An increasing number of New Zealanders think the Asian region is important to New Zealand’s future and support for free trade agreements (FTAs) with Asian countries has increased, says a new Asia New Zealand Foundation survey.

The results of the latest Perceptions of Asia survey carried out in August-September 2009 are available now. The survey was conducted by Colmar Brunton. For a copy of the study, visit www.asianz.org.nz.

In the latest survey, four out of five (81%) New Zealanders see the Asian region as important to New Zealand’s future (40% see it as very important).

This has increased since 2008 when 75% of New Zealanders of those surveyed said they viewed the Asian region as important. Only Australia with 89% rates as being more important to New Zealand’s future than Asia.

Also compared to 2008, more New Zealanders now think FTAs (up from 74% to 78%) and imports from Asia (up from 58% to 63%) will have a positive impact on New Zealand’s future.

Asia New Zealand Foundation executive director Dr Richard Grant says it is a sign of New Zealand’s increasing interdependence with the region that more and more New Zealanders recognise the importance of FTAs to this country’s economic performance.

“In this survey we asked questions directly relevant to the recession, recognising that, internationally, anti-immigration rhetoric and prejudice increases during times of economic crises,” Dr Grant said.

The survey asked respondents to think about New Zealand in the next 10 to 20 years and to indicate how much of a positive or negative impact various factors will have on New Zealand.

New Zealanders are generally optimistic about:
• Asian tourism in New Zealand (91% of New Zealanders see a positive future impact)
• Asia as an export market (90%)
• Economic growth of the Asian region (80%)
• FTAs between New Zealand and Asian countries (78%)
• Asia as a tourist destination for New Zealanders (74%).

New Zealanders generally rate the following less highly:
• Asian imports to New Zealand (63% of New Zealanders see a positive future impact and 22% see a negative future impact)
• Asian cultures and traditions (59% of New Zealanders see a positive future impact and 11% see a negative future impact)
• Immigration from Asia to New Zealand (55% of New Zealanders see a positive future impact and 22% see a negative future impact)
• Population growth of the Asian region (47% of New Zealanders see a positive future impact and 26% see a negative future impact).

The survey also showed that when asked about Asia, most New Zealanders think of China and Japan. When asked what countries come to mind, 51% of New Zealanders mentioned China first, followed by Japan.

But when asked the same question, the proportion of New Zealanders who first specify a country in Asia other than China or Japan has significantly increased since 2008 (from 23% to 33%).

Meanwhile two out of five (43%) New Zealanders can name an event in their area that they see as having an Asian focus. The most common events mentioned are Chinese New Year (29%), the Lantern Festival (27%), and the Diwali Festival (20%).

The survey is also a measure of New Zealanders’ level of contact with, and interest in Asian peoples and cultures, and as well as on subjects such as inbound Asian investment, trade with Asia, tourism from Asia, Asian international students and immigration from Asian countries.

ENDS

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