Planning 305 Assignment

This is my Governance Assignment from this year, the topic focuses on the interaction between the government and the public, especially the need to facilitate exchange between the government and various social, religion and ethnic groups within the Auckland area.

in the text i discussed the relationship between government and the public, especially along the terms of creating a multicultural community on the basis of bi-cultural collaboration.

Introduction

The challenge faced by Auckland and New Zealand is how to improve the relationship between Maori and Pakeha (white European), so that it form the basis for multicultural development throughout the country. The integrity and well-being of this relationship would impact on the multicultural development in the nation and the city which aims to build towards more mutual respect for each social and ethnic group, more social cohesion and a stronger sense of common good for the society (Hucker 2009). Thus in order to establish a strong multicultural society, a strong foundation of Maori and Pakeha cooperation and understanding must be prepared.

Bicultural Base for a Multicultural Society

One thing that needs to bear in mind is the Auckland area is shared by both Maori people and Pakeha, or rather that the Auckland is built upon previous Maori owned lands whose heritage, traditions as well as lineage are tied to the land. This is a fact that is often ignored by the general public, most of which are not Maori. Realistically speaking any development occurs in Auckland or in New Zealand would not have been legitimate without the consent of the local iwi and Maori population and this have resulted friction between the two cultures.

Some of the white population also despises the use of Pakeha because it sounds offensive to them as the name was deemed to be racist by some. However when aboard the only way to distinguish yourself from a variety of other white people is to label yourself as a Pakeha, in other words it is the Maori that helped to distinguish the New Zealand white identity.

Biculturalism, particularly the coexistence of white European and Maori population in New Zealand on multiple levels of governance and social strata, are crucial to the stability of New Zealand society. As the country is established on an agreement between the two races, any changes to the fundamental principles of the Treaty of Waitangi would disrupt the coherence and the stability of the entire nation.

Therefore, establish a strong bond between the two cultures and maintaining this bond is crucial to the well-being of this country, and until all of the historical grievances and disputes are sorted the relationship between two races are unlikely to improve significantly. However, some mechanisms to improve the relationship between two cultures was established, such as the Waitangi tribunal (Waitangi Tribunal 2010), the indigenous fishing quota (Ministry of Fisheries 2008) and increase of Maori MP in the parliament, in a attempt the create a stronger understanding and bond between Maori and Pakeha.

One of the issues faced by this bicultural society is the increase of immigrants into the country, these people came from all over the world and bring with them different cultures, customs and traditions, which some see as a threat to the stability of the country and may compromise the existing relationship between the Maori and Pakeha. Communication and understanding thus would be the key to minimise the disruption caused by the immigrant and may even turn the increase in population and human resource into a positive outcome that benefit the well-being of the public.

Strong bonding and information sharing between the races not only helps to create a socially cohesive community, but also serves as a demonstration to new immigrant that New Zealand is a country which treat every fairly and equality, increases the sense of belong the immigrant have towards New Zealand while encourage them to contribute more to country's growth and development.

Establish a Sustainable Multicultural Society in New Zealand and Auckland

It is unrealistic to think that Auckland or New Zealand solely belongs to pakeha and Maori. The influx of immigrants from all over the world have made their roots here, policy and decision making without a regard to the immigrant population would severely damage New Zealand's reputation as a hospitable and discrimination free country, as well as increase social unrest and marginalisation of minority groups. Thus an integrated multicultural society needs to be established within the Maori and Pakeha framework in order to promote the social, economical, environmental and cultural well-beings of the public (Hucker 2009: 7-9).

This particular interest to build a multicultural society is necessary due to increasing numbers of immigrant, who are particularly vulnerable to be marginalised in the decision making process and may end up with the lowest paid jobs, and worst living conditions. Their misrepresentation could result social injustice and damage New Zealand reputation of being a democratic and free country.

The need for multiculturalism in the community development process should be seen as an essential part to the growth of New Zealand as a nation. Incorporation instead of assimilation means that the new immigrants would contribute and feel attached to the country instead of become marginalised in the society. Allow and encourage people from different cultures to take root in an area would minimise the new immigrant's fear and unfamiliarity. As long as they have an investment of interest to where they live then they would not be actively damage that investment (Sacks 2007: 13-23).

The practical way of multicultural city building would be actual planning forces that integrate different cultures in city such as plans and policies, while symbolically the integration of different cultures can be formed through promoting cultural festivals and information exchange as well as acknowledgement and acceptance of the local Maori population. Fear between cultures can be particularly damaging as distrust can easily escalate to open hostility and discrimination, which destabilises society and can cause difficulties in the governance process.

Promoting cross-culture and cross-ethnic communication within different sectors of society on a governmental basis allows the legal recognition of different social, cultural and ethnic groups within the country. Similarly communication held under the spiritual guidance of Maori elders and spokesperson would increase the sense of attachment and acceptance on to the land that is blessed by the original occupants of Aotearoa New Zealand.

To enable multiculturalism, both the right of access and the right to be different are to be granted by local government policies and public perceptions. The right of access means a person that is different from the mainstream population would have equal access to resources like education, access to CBD, shopping and to come and go as one pleases.

The right to be different entitles a social or cultural minority the right to wear their traditional clothing, to speak their own language. This right allows the immigrant to incorporate into the society, adding valuable insights and perception to public consultations instead of assimilate into another European household (Hucker 2009: 79-80).

Yet the sense of belong in a multicultural society cannot be based on ethnicity, culture or race but a shared commitment and interest to the wellbeing and future development of society (Sandercock, 2003: 102-103). Recognising ones cultural difference and respect what it means would help to solve political and economical inequalities often face by minorities, further empowered by the consultancy process, a minority could easily be incorporated into the society with a strong sense of belonging and willing to contribute to the democratic decision making process of the local council.

Ultimately the aim is to promote the sustainable growth and development of the nation, the additional human resource and brain power immigrants bring could have a major impact to the productivity and well-being of New Zealand. A strong bicultural base for a multicultural society would allow the sustainable social development that increases social cohesion and a mutual respect between different social and ethnic groups.

Implications of Local Government Act 2002

The Local Government Act 2002 (LGA) set out to encourage the growth of local councils as well as streamline the decision making process to allow a greater efficiency in the process. The four well-beings (LGA s12) are used as a way to promote social cohesion, and serves as a set of bottom line in the council decision making process. The act ensures that the principles, policies and plans are applied inclusively, this would increase the sense of belonging the immigrants have to the area while promoting interaction between social groups (Hucker 2009: 9).

The act's purpose is to promote the sustainable development of communities which includes the maintenance and improvement of the social, economic, cultural and environmental well-being while foresee and preserve possible need of the future generations (LGA s10). To enable sustainable development of communities, understanding, mutual respect and recognition of different cultures that exist in New Zealand is need to achieve a more inclusive public utility, while careful management of natural and human resource would ensure the future generations would continue to grow and prosper.

The power of general competence granted in the act allow the local governments a higher level of decision making ability (LGA), and allows individual councils to make separate decisions about how towns are going to be developed. It allows greater discretion to the local councils to do things they want in the way they wanted. The LGA set the role and purpose of councils is enabling the democratic decision making by, and on behalf of, local communities (LGA s 10(a)).

The act's emphasis on the democratic decision making and consultancy process can be seen as a movement to create better understanding between cultural and ethnic groups in society. The public consultancy process has the potential to be a powerful tool to promote social and ethnic cohesion if used properly. Increase in public participation in consultancy processes, along with public broadcasting of different views about the issue, would increase the understanding between different ethnic and social groups as each would learn how and why a particular group confronts a topic.

From November 2010, the Auckland area would reform into one uniform legislative body (Auckland City Council 2010) and this movement can have many implications to development of biculturalism and multicultural harmony. The existing plans would be carried over to the future plan, so the existing policies concerning Maori and Pakeha relationship as well as the incorporation of immigrants from other cultures would continue to be administered by the council, however change are need to improve the current policies and the reform process may be the perfect opportunity to improve the bi-cultural and multicultural relationship of Auckland City.

After the reform process, the entire Auckland area would become one single governance entity, the process could potentially result in a major social upheaval if mishandled. A sense of belonging again is the key to allow the public to feel attached to the greater Auckland region instead of their city or district. In a multicultural aspect the reform may be favourable as the consultancy process would then be open to a wider population, minority groups would have a greater voice as more people across the entire Auckland area are able to contribute to express their views.

The potential increase in the democratic decision making process would allow a greater sense of inclusiveness to all the different groups in the Auckland area. As more people contribute their knowledge to the decision making process the sense of belonging and social cohesion would improve and well-being of the population and promote sustainable social development.

Different planning processes are needed to create practical and applicable plans under the new LGA that aims to improve the quality of living within the Auckland area. The plan need to include significant amount of public consultation and democratic decision making process that empower an individual with ability to state the views of minorities. Only if a person feels that he/she have to power to make a difference, then that person would activity participate in the development of the city that he/she lives in. thus the plan for Auckland area should not only contain futures aspirations and necessities but also should include powerful public participation mechanisms that encourage the public to contribute to the sustainable development of Auckland area.

Religious Pluralism as a Positive Force

The power of local government and the consultancy process provide by the LGA, creates a platform which ideas and view are shared across the society. This platform has the potential to bring together people from different ethnicity, culture or religion, and promote dialogue between social leaders which would benefit the social coherence and well-being of Auckland. A stable society is the one would allow stable and sustainable growth.

Religion in this sense can often become the barrier that limits the interaction between communities, different religious philosophy can result in misunderstanding and mistreatment of minority, therefore harnessing the powers of religious pluralism to facilitate the coexistence of different religions would bring a more sustainable city that promote mutual understanding and acceptance of differences.

Religion has always been a force which brings people together, however the same force can also exclude others not of the same faith and creating disharmony (Hucker 2009: 82), using religious pluralism, it is possible to allow different religions and believers to live and cooperate in a peaceful and coherent manner that would be beneficial to the entire Auckland region.

A important part of this is to enforce understanding and information sharing among different religions, this is especially the case with the Muslim population as terrorism activities throughout the world are blamed on the Islam religion, however if enough information and understanding is exchanged then the Muslim population in Auckland area can achieve a higher quality of life without distrust and prejudice.

The incorporation of new religions and religious bought into New Zealand are an important factor for the new immigrants to develop attachment to the city they live. The dignity and pride which are associated ethnicity and religion are an important part to allow new immigrant the right to live as they, to incorporate into the society and not be forced to assimilate to another culture.

The recognition and mutual respect between religions are important in building a cohesive society that encourages participation and minimises exclusion. The need is to acknowledge the equal status of different religions and their role to guide their believers to accept and respect the existence of other religions (Hucker 2009: 82-83).

This acknowledgment of different religions can positively influence the relation between social groups to coexist and even work together, promoting religious and social harmony that is crucial to the establishment and maintenance of a multicultural community within the Auckland and New Zealand.

The acknowledgement and mutual respect between religions need to be fostered with genuine desire to coexist and cooperate. The government in this instance should help to facilitate dialogue between religious leaders and community leaders to allow exchange of views and ideas. This meeting would greatly improve the tension between different religions, and produce a more understanding and accepting community.

Barriers needs to be Overcome

There are a wide variety of barriers and difficulties that would hinder and damage the coherence and integrity of the general public in the Auckland and New Zealand. Religious and cultural barriers are perhaps the most numerous and stubborn of difficulties a Council may face, as consent may be negotiated but belief are not going to be so easily persuaded.

There is certain amount of mutual fear and anxiety exist in both the native born residents and the new immigrants coming into New Zealand and Auckland, the four fears identified are the fear of unknown, fear of difference, fear of threats to hearth and home, and fear of threats to jobs (Hucker 2009: 64). All of the fears are a result of difference, difference in language, in culture or in religion, and if no effort was made to understand each other by both parties, the fear and problems arise from them can exacerbated to tension or even hostility between the native residents and new immigrants.

Communication is the key to minimise the fear in both parties, exchanging ideas would allow each other insights as to how and why a particular group hold a certain view. This communication can be facilitated by the local government to ensure fairness and legality. However the aim of this communication is not to force a party to agree with the other, but to create a better understand and respect among different groups in a community such as Auckland.

A better understanding and respect between the two parties would help to solve all the fears they harbour for each other, the fear of unknown can easily overcome by communication and dialogue between immigrants and native residents, the fear of difference can also be solved by the respect arisen from the communication process. The fear of threats to hearth and home can be remedied by improving social connections and positive social networking starting from the household level to the possibility of encompassing whole of Auckland. The fear of jobs is more complex matters that cannot be solved simply though communication and have to be solved by government policies and market forces, a good economic environment helps to reduce competition for jobs and therefore decreasing the potential conflict between residents old and new (Hucker 2009: 64).

Another problem the multicultural Auckland faces is the marginalisation and social injustice faced by many minority groups who does not have enough voice to state their opinion on council policies and decisions. One way of solving this issue is the future conglomeration of Auckland local councils, which would increase the number of people in any given minority group and therefore increase the significance of their opinion.

To further enhance the importance of minority groups and to make sure their voice is heard, the soon-to-be Auckland council should also facilitate meetings and gathering for the leaders of minority groups to express their view on matters of importance, a holistic view of a issue would not only result in a better decision, but would actively promote multiculturalism in the Auckland region.

To further provide a stable, cohesive and sustainable society, the religious disharmony appeared when different religions collide needs to be addressed in way that not only solve the problem, but also enhances bi-culturalism and multiculturalism in Auckland and New Zealand. Thus the principles of religious pluralism need to be applied to different religions facilitated by the local government to establish the coexistence and mutual respect of various religions that exist in Auckland and New Zealand.

Conclusion

In the end, the aim is to create integration and a sense of belonging for the immigrant to encourage multicultural growth in Auckland and New Zealand that is established on the basis of bi-cultural coexistence between Maori and Pakeha. And under this circumstance, the building of a society that encourages communication between communities, minimises misunderstanding, create mutual respect to one's ethnicity, culture and religion which allows a region to sustainably develop under the guidelines of Local Government Act 2002. A wide variety of mechanisms are needed to create the desired outcomes, but with the future conglomeration of councils and policy changes, Auckland have to potential to become a truly integrated multicultural city that promote a greater, more inclusive sense of common good that enriches the people that live in it and creating a harmonised society that minimises conflict and exclusion.

Reference

New Zealand. 2002. Local Government Act, Wellington. [Laws]

Hucker, B 2009, Community Development: A Pathway to a Sustainable Future, Local Government New Zealand, Wellington.

Sandercock, L 2003, Cosmopolis II: Mongrel Cities in 21st Century, Continuum, London and New York.

Sacks, J 2007, The Home We Build Together: Recreating Society, Continuum, London and New York.

Ministry of Fisheries 2008, Customary Fishing Rights. Available from: . [10 April 2010].

Waitangi Tribunal 2010, About the Tribunal. Available from: < http://www.waitangi-tribunal.govt.nz/about/>. [10 April 2010].

Auckland City Council 2010, Transition to Auckland Council. Available from: < http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/council/supercity/default.asp> [11 April 2010]