Tuvaluan New Zealanders

Tuvaluan New Zealanders
A Tuvaluan dancer at Auckland's Pasifika Festival
Total population
4,653 (2018 Census)
Regions with significant populations
Auckland
Languages
Tuvaluan, English

The Tuvaluan New Zealand community consists of 4,653 Tuvaluans ethnic people living in New Zealand. About 46% of them were born overseas and nearly 80% of them live in Auckland.[1]

History

[edit]

Due to global warming, the islands of Tuvaluan are threatened by rising sea level.[2] In response to this risk, the Tuvaluan government made an agreement in 2002 with the New Zealand which allows the migration of 11,000 Tuvaluans (the island nation's entire population).[2] The New Zealand Census indicates a higher proportion of Tuvaluans being born in Tuvalu illustrates the significance of New Zealand as a long term destination for Tuvaluan migrants.[3]

New Zealand has an annual quota of 75 Tuvaluans granted work permits under the Pacific Access Category, as announced in 2001.[4] Tuvaluans also have access to seasonal employment in the horticulture and viticulture industries in New Zealand under the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Work Policy introduced in 2007 allowing for employment of up to 5,000 workers from Tuvalu and other Pacific islands.[5]

Demographics

[edit]

According to the 2006 Census, there were 2,625 Tuvaluans in New Zealand, which has grown to 3,537 Tuvaluans in 2013 and 4,653 Tuvaluan in 2018.[6]

About 88% of Tuvaluan New Zealanders are English speakers about 42% of them can speak another language, mainly Tuvaluan language.[6]

Religion

[edit]

Majority of the Tuvaluan New Zealanders follows Christianity (88%), 8% of them choose No religion in the Census.[6]

In 1992, the Tuvalu Community Church congregation of Henderson, Auckland was established.[7][8] In 2021, the first Tuvaluan Congregational church was opener.[9] It was designed by South Pacific Architecture, which won a Public Architecture Award at the 2021 Auckland Architecture Awards.[8]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "TUVALUAN MIGRATION STORY | Pasefika Proud". www.pasefikaproud.co.nz. Retrieved 2023-11-13.
  2. ^ a b Kamusella, Tom (2004). "On the Similarity Between the Concepts of Nation and Language". Canadian Review of Studies in Nationalism. 31: 107–112.
  3. ^ Shen, S., & Binns, T. (2012). "Pathways, motivations and challenges: Contemporary Tuvaluan migration to New Zealand". GeoJournal. 77 (1): 63–82. doi:10.1007/s10708-010-9386-2. S2CID 153719793.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ "Government announces Pacific access scheme". The Beehive. Retrieved 2023-11-13.
  5. ^ "Strategic Programming and Management Department (PROGRAM)". www.ilo.org. Retrieved 2023-11-13.
  6. ^ a b c "2018 Census ethnic group summaries | Stats NZ". www.stats.govt.nz. Retrieved 2023-11-13.
  7. ^ Morris, Rachel. "What Happens When Your Country Drowns?". Mother Jones. Retrieved 2023-11-13.
  8. ^ a b Sarah (2021-05-28). "Tuvalu Christian Church Wins Public Architecture Award". TP+. Retrieved 2023-11-13.
  9. ^ "Tuvaluan community in Auckland welcomes new church". RNZ. 2020-03-02. Retrieved 2023-11-13.