Research on Diaspora needs you

Online survey profiles the Real New Zealander Indian

Who is a New Zealander Indian? Are our policies designed to account for the diversity of culture? What are the challenges confronting the future generations? How effective are our policies and programmes relating to the migrants of the past?

These and more questions are raised by Todd Nachowitz, a Doctoral Candidate for his thesis on Examining Immigration and Diversity Policy: A Study of the Indian Diaspora in New Zealand. In seeking answers, he would stimulate the thinking of the government, business and community leaders for future policies and programmes.

He is encouraging members of the Indian community resident in New Zealand to participate in an online survey, which would assist him in completing his research project.

Mr Nachowitz said his research examines the past and present immigration and diversity policies, through the bifocals of the Indian community.

“It would include a historic perspective and the impact of policies on the past Indian migration and an assessment of current immigration and diversity programmes to determine what impact, if any, these have had on contemporary Indian migrants to New Zealand. 

“This research will provide a backdrop for a broader discussion that assesses current policy initiatives and expected outcomes, and offer a strategic assessment based upon the experiences of the Indian migrant community,” he said. 

Online Questionnaire

The online survey contains a questionnaire, response to which will enable Mr Nachowitz to understand why people migrate, how they negotiate the acculturation process and manage the issues that they confront from the early stages of their migration to the problems relating to the next generation of Indians born and raised as Kiwis.

He said the Indian migrant community offered an excellent case study to view immigration and diversity policies, conditioned by a number of historical and socio-economic factors.

He acknowledged the challenges that the migration process poses to host governments, the establishment and the community.

“As inward migration increases, many countries grapple with increasing discrimination, ethnic tensions, racism and violence, while simultaneously struggling to improve health, education, employment and immigration policies that foster social cohesion. 

“I believe that proactive public policies that support diversity initiatives are not only strong indicators of a nation’s internal security but also essential to maintain and promote social cohesion,” he said.

We have known Mr Nachowitz for many years and his passion for India and her people. He is a graduate in South Asian Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (US) and alumni of the Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi (where he was married as per Hindu rites). He returned to the US to complete his post-graduation in Development Anthropology at the New York based Syracuse University. His study concerned indigenous resistance to large-scale development projects in India, focusing on the Tehri and Narmada Dam projects. Mr Nachowitz is a student of Indian classical music and speaks Hindi and Urdu.

For online survey, visit http://indiandiaspora.wikispaces.com

Photo: Todd Nachowitz