Aotearoa: Less Elvis - more Post Malone & Tay-Tay.

Aotearoa New Zealand is famous for its stunning landscapes.

Famously, we're told we can be careering down a ski-slope at lunchtime, and be sunning ourselves on the beach by mid-afternoon.

Whether it’s the rugged beauty of the Southern Alps, the turquoise waters of Lake Pukaki, or the ear assaulting noise of Huka falls, Aotearoa knows how to show off its natural wonders.

But, beneath this scenic splendor, there’s a more challenging question to tackle: how healthy is Aotearoa New Zealand’s social and cultural landscape?

Is it the case that despite our reputation for being laid-back kiwis, an inclusive nation perhaps, the reality is our approach to diversity and inclusion could use a bit of a makeover—kind of like how Wellington could do with less wind.

Let’s look at New York City, often called the world’s capital. Manhattan, the city’s bustling core, thrives on a dynamic blend of cultures that have transformed it into a global powerhouse of creativity, opportunity, and inclusion.

And it’s not just the bagels or the skyscrapers that make New York special; it’s the people—millions of them from every corner of the globe, each bringing their unique flavors to the mix.

In New York, diversity isn’t just something you find on a census; it’s the fuel that powers the city’s innovation and social cohesion. With immigrants from nearly every nation on Earth, New York is constantly buzzing with fresh ideas, traditions, and experiences.

This melting pot keeps the city at the forefront of art, technology, and business. Whether it’s a Broadway show or a tech startup in a Brooklyn loft, the magic happens when diverse perspectives collide. It’s like a massive potluck where everyone brings their best dish—and you know how much us Kiwis love a good potluck!

Then there’s Singapore, the city-state that’s turned diversity into a superpower. With its mix of Chinese, Malay, Indian, and expatriate communities, Singapore has embraced its multiculturalism to become a leading financial and technological hub.

The government’s commitment to racial harmony and inclusion, from housing policies that encourage ethnic mixing to celebrating various religious holidays, has been key to its success. It’s like they’ve figured out the secret recipe, and they’re not afraid to share it.

Meanwhile, back in New Zealand, we have a similarly diverse population with Māori, Pacifika, Koreans, Chinese, Indians, South Africans, Malaysians, Brits, infact more than 220 other communities contributing to our cultural makeup. Yet, we haven't really even started trying to figure out how to blend these ingredients into something truly special.

Too often, our  middle-England, middle-class, caucasian, straight, cis-gender dominant culture overshadows the richness of our diverse traditions and the glorious differences that make up our neighbours, our families, friends, or our colleagues.
Our public celebrations still largely reflect only our recent colonial heritage and that dominant culture—it's like we’re stuck in a loop, endlessly playing a 45 of Elvis's 1956 hit Hound Dog, when the world’s moved on to Post Malone and Tay-Tay!
(Hound Dog: originally composed and sung in 1952 by Big Mamma Thornton, a black woman. The song only became a hit when sung by a white man.)

This reluctance of our Aotearoa New Zealand to fully celebrate and include our diverse cultures is a missed opportunity. Diversity shouldn’t just be something we nod to politely, or heaven forbid ignore it as we feel threatened by it's exsistence; it should be celebrated as a core strength.

We need to move beyond our historical emphasis on a single dominant culture and embrace the richness that our diverse population offers.
We need to explore Aotearoa's pre-western colonisation period and honour and respect the rich cultural heritage in Maori as the first people's of this land, while also working out how to celebrate and value all that we are today. Doing so won’t just make us feel good; it’ll enhance social cohesion, address social disadvantage, spur innovation, and build a more resilient society—one that’s as vibrant and varied as our beaches and mountains.

Diversity most certainly isn’t just a checkbox for thriving cities like New York, Singapore, London, or Berlin—it’s their lifeblood. It's what makes them progressive, thriving, modern economic powerhouses. 

For Aotearoa New Zealand, the path forward is clear: it’s time to evolve. It's time to grow from our dominant culture that is no longer a dominant demographic. It's time to embrace all of the diverse cultures that make up our nation, and make sure every voice is heard and celebrated.
After all, we’ve got all the ingredients for an incredible cultural feast—now it’s time to get the barby going and get cooking!

Thanks for your eyes and your brains.

Till next time. Gordy