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New Zealand Indians
- By Bobby Castro
- Published 11/23/2011
- Destinations
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Bobby Castro
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New Zealand Indians
New Zealand is truly a paradise destination. It is one country that has a low crime rate, according to the World Peace Index. One of the most peaceful groups in the country remain to be the Indian community. Despite its steady increase in numbers, the ethnic group remains to be one of the most peaceful groups in the country.
The Indian community in Kiwiland currently numbers to more than one million individuals. This comprises about two percent of the total population of the country. Their influence and numbers in the country was clearly recognized when in August 2006, New Zealand-born but of Indian ancestry Anand Satyanathan was appointed Governor General of the country by Queen Elizabeth II.
Nearly 98 percent of Kiwiland Indians reside in the urban areas of the Oceania country, namely Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. This is mainly due to the easy access of the Indians to their place of employment. The North Island is home to 95 percent of the Kiwi-Indian population while only five percent reside in the South Island. Nearly two thirds live in Auckland while the others are scattered around Wellington and other regions.
The great influx of Indian immigrants arrived to the country in the last half decade or so. Because of their recent arrival, most Indians remain true to their cultural identity that reflect to the social aspects of their life. One of the practices that remain in use is the tradition of arranged marriages according to the religious, caste and linguistic group of the Indian family. As a result, the Indian community chooses to date and interact within their own racial, ethnic and religious group. This tradition has been buttressed by many Indian organizations within the New Zealand community that are formed based on religious and linguistic characteristics.
While this is true to the first generation of arrivals to the country, the latter generations differ though in choice and relations. While the elder generation prefers arranged marriage arrangements, the younger generation work within the community circles they are in to find dates, partners or even spouses in the long run. A large majority turn to online social networks and dating sites that are specifically attuned to the Indian life in New Zealand for friendships and other social purposes. Because of the specificity as well as the limited options for dating and other social activities within the Indian-Kiwi community, choosing a partner or lover can be quite a difficult process for the newer generation of Indo-Kiwis currently in the country today.
The Indian community in Kiwiland currently numbers to more than one million individuals. This comprises about two percent of the total population of the country. Their influence and numbers in the country was clearly recognized when in August 2006, New Zealand-born but of Indian ancestry Anand Satyanathan was appointed Governor General of the country by Queen Elizabeth II.
Nearly 98 percent of Kiwiland Indians reside in the urban areas of the Oceania country, namely Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. This is mainly due to the easy access of the Indians to their place of employment. The North Island is home to 95 percent of the Kiwi-Indian population while only five percent reside in the South Island. Nearly two thirds live in Auckland while the others are scattered around Wellington and other regions.
The great influx of Indian immigrants arrived to the country in the last half decade or so. Because of their recent arrival, most Indians remain true to their cultural identity that reflect to the social aspects of their life. One of the practices that remain in use is the tradition of arranged marriages according to the religious, caste and linguistic group of the Indian family. As a result, the Indian community chooses to date and interact within their own racial, ethnic and religious group. This tradition has been buttressed by many Indian organizations within the New Zealand community that are formed based on religious and linguistic characteristics.
While this is true to the first generation of arrivals to the country, the latter generations differ though in choice and relations. While the elder generation prefers arranged marriage arrangements, the younger generation work within the community circles they are in to find dates, partners or even spouses in the long run. A large majority turn to online social networks and dating sites that are specifically attuned to the Indian life in New Zealand for friendships and other social purposes. Because of the specificity as well as the limited options for dating and other social activities within the Indian-Kiwi community, choosing a partner or lover can be quite a difficult process for the newer generation of Indo-Kiwis currently in the country today.