A growing number of New Zealanders see Asia as important or very important to the country’s future, according to an annual survey by the Asia New Zealand Foundation.
The New Zealanders’ Perceptions of Asia and Asian People survey, released by the Asia New Zealand Foundation, presents “changes in views over the past year, as well as longitudinal trends of public attitudes across demographics, regions and sectors”.
Figures from the report noted Japan to be regarded by New Zealanders as the friendliest and most trusted country in Asia, and was the relationship New Zealanders would like to see further investment in.
Kiwis were also feeling increasingly positive towards partners across Southeast Asia as well as South Korea, with these countries all seeing a significant jump in how friendly they are perceived to be.
The positive shift toward Southeast Asian countries coincides with New Zealand and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) celebrating 50 years of formal ties, as well as a number of important bilateral anniversaries in the region.
“We’re seeing New Zealand’s effort and investment translate into genuine warmth in public sentiment toward individual Southeast Asian nations,” the foundation’s director of research and engagement Julia Macdonald told Breakfast.
The report – from the survey of 2300 New Zealanders aged 15 years and over – identified China (83%) as the most important Asian partner for the country’s future.
Japan followed with 73%, with India on 59%.
While China continued to be ranked as the most important country in Asia for New Zealand’s future, sentiment towards the country was mixed and had cooled in recent months following China’s live fire drills and partnership deal with the Cook Islands.
The number of people who viewed China as a threat sat at 28% in November.
But an extra poll taken in March showed that level soaring to 40%.
“New Zealanders recognise it’s a complicated relationship, it can be challenging,” Macdonald said.
“A lot took place before November and March, around that time you had the live fire military drills in the Tasman Sea, China signing a strategic partnership with the Cook Islands, so a number of events that impacted New Zealanders’ perceptions.”
The number of people who viewed China as a friend dropped from 38% to 21% in that same period.
It comes as Prime Minister Christopher Luxon touches down in China today, ahead of a three-day visit to Beijing and Shanghai.
“He’s already said that as part of our mature relationship with China is saying we disagree on matters,” she said.
“So I expect that’s what the Prime Minister will do and he will convey New Zealanders’ concerns as well as building the trade and people-to-people links.”
While there was a noticeable shift in attitudes towards China, there was a growing recognition of the importance of the country to New Zealand from a trade perspective.