Perceived discrimination
Definition
The proportion of people aged 18 and over who perceived selected groups
as being the targets of "some" or a "great deal" of discrimination.
Relevance
The freedom from unlawful discrimination is a core principle of democratic
societies. Surveys on perceived discrimination towards groups of people provide
one indication of the level and type of discrimination in New Zealand . They
do not measure actual levels of discrimination and therefore it is not possible
to conclude whether actual levels of discrimination have increased or decreased.
Current level and trends
In January 2004, more than three-quarters (78 percent) of respondents
to the Human Rights Commission Survey 2004 thought Asian people were subject
to a "great deal" or "some" discrimination, the highest proportion for any group. This was followed by recent
immigrants (72 percent) and refugees (70 percent). Perceived discrimination
against these groups has increased since December 2001, from 73 percent for
Asians and from 68 percent for recent immigrants and refugees.
Table CP3.1 Proportion (%) of survey respondents who perceived selected
groups as being subject to a great deal or some discrimination, December 2000–January
2004
| Group |
Dec 2000 |
Dec 2001 |
Jan 2003 |
Jan 2004 |
| Asians |
73 |
73 |
79 |
78 |
| Recent immigrants |
- |
68 |
77 |
72 |
| Refugees |
- |
68 |
72 |
70 |
| People who
are overweight |
72 |
65 |
65 |
68 |
| People on
welfare |
75 |
70 |
68 |
66 |
| Gays and lesbians |
74 |
65 |
61 |
58 |
| Pacific peoples |
71 |
65 |
65 |
57 |
| People with
disabilities |
61 |
55 |
53 |
55 |
| Māori |
70 |
62 |
57 |
53 |
| Older people |
53 |
48 |
49 |
46 |
| Women |
50 |
44 |
41 |
38 |
Source: Human Rights Commission (2004)
Approximately two-thirds of survey respondents in 2004 thought people
who are overweight and people on welfare were the target of a great deal or
some discrimination. More than half thought gays and lesbians, Pacific peoples,
people with disabilities and Māori were subjected to such discrimination.
Women, older people, Māori, Pacific peoples, people who are overweight,
people on welfare, people with disabilities and gays and lesbians were all
less likely to be considered the targets of some or a great deal of discrimination
in January 2004, compared to December 2000.
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