Biculturalism and Eco-friendly Policy of New Zealand

Abstract

Despite being a multicultural nation, New Zealand officially promotes itself as a bicultural nation, emphasizing the cultures of both the indigenous Māori people and British settlers. New Zealand also uniquely adopts both English and Māori as official languages. This distinctive sociocultural framework has been successful in fostering social cohesion among the diverse ethnicities in New Zealand, despite its relatively short history. Additionally, New Zealand maintains its reputation as an environmentally advanced and eco-friendly nation embracing the Māori spirit of environmental conservation. Drawing from a review of pertinent literature, this study aims to investigate the historical and social background that has shaped New Zealand’s current regional characteristics. Firstly, it provides an overview of the historical and social background from the initial settlement by the Māori to the present. Secondly, it explores history education, language policies, and various cultural programs aimed at fostering biculturalism as a central tenet in New Zealand. Lastly, it examines eco-friendly policies rooted in the united environmental perspectives of British settlers and the Māori, along with their outcomes. The Māori, who settled first in the land, endured and resisted harsh trials during the process of British colonization while preserving their unique cultural heritage and a spirit of love for nature. Reflecting on the history of conquest through inevitable armed conflicts, British settlers acknowledged and compensated for the injustices inflicted upon the Māori and adopted a policy of biculturalism that positions the Māori alongside British settlers at the heart of the nation. Simultaneously, New Zealand respected the cultures of immigrants from other cultural spheres and collaborated with them. Furthermore, embracing the Māori environmental conservation ethos, New Zealand pursued eco-friendly policies as a driving force for future economic development as an environmentally advanced nation. New Zealand appears to set forth a model for advancing into a mutually thriving community by respecting the identities and cultures of other nations and cooperating with them.