Māori culture as a psychological asset for New Zealanders’ acculturation experiences abroad

Qualitative research with 16 participants addressed the acculturation experiences of Māori and Pākehā New Zealanders in Japan. Thematic analyses of interviews revealed three themes including Te tūranga a ngā manuhiri: tauiwi (foreigner) as a liveable subject position, Ngā painga atu o tāwāhi: positive/neutral representations of Māori outside of New Zealand, and Kia mau hei tiki: shared benefits of symbolic representation for Māori (indigenous people) and Pākehā (European settlers). Those participants with the most positive intercultural engagement experiences did not try to identify with the host culture, but were able to relate to the host culture. Māori actively utilised indigenous frameworks (such as manuhiri/tauiwi – guest/foreigner) to successfully adapt as out-group members. Secondly, Māori were also relieved from negative stereotyping experienced within New Zealand. Finally, Māori cultural activities (kapa haka performances) and symbols acted as a protective factor for both Māori and Pākehā abroad at both the individual and group levels.

► Cultural connectedness and practice in identity negotiation provided Māori with psychological resources to adapt as outgroup members in a foreign context. ► For Māori participants, release from negative group representations from the New Zealand mainstream provided a neutral platform abroad. ► New Zealanders (both Māori and New Zealand European) expressed feeling that the Māori culture provided them with a positive point of difference in Japan. ► The collectivistic orientation of both Māori and Japanese added to the body of knowledge about acculturation experiences.