Malaysian New Zealanders

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Ethnic group

Malaysian New ZealandersTotal population

17,464 Malaysian-born (2018)[1]
Regions with significant populations
Particularly Wellington; also Auckland and the South Island
Languages
New Zealand English, Malaysian English, Chinese (Cantonese, Min Chinese, Malaysian Mandarin), Tamil, Malay, Orang Asal languages
Religion
Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam
Related ethnic groups
Various ethnic groups of Malaysia

Malaysian New Zealanders are New Zealand citizens and residents who are of Malaysian descent or Malaysian-born immigrants. As of 2018, approximately 17,464 Malaysian-born people lived in New Zealand, with a much higher number of New Zealanders with Malaysian ancestry.[1][2]

## History

[edit]

During the British colonial period, 42 people born in 1910s on the Straits Settlements (of which is now called Malaysia and Singapore) became the first residents of New Zealand.[2] Most of them were the ethnic Malays and Chinese.[2]

Emerging racial riots in Malaysia in 1969 prompted more students from the ethnic Chinese community to seek an education in New Zealand.[2] Following the riots, the Malaysian Government introduced affirmative action policies to help the Bumiputera (mainly the Malays and indigenous people) to achieve a higher economic quality of life than the Chinese.[2] Preferential university entry for the Bumiputera made it more difficult for ethnic Chinese to enter Malaysian institutions of higher learning, making it preferable for Malaysian Chinese to move and study in New Zealand universities - typically under the Colombo Plan \- rather than in their own country.[2]

In 1986, there were 3,480 Malaysians in New Zealand which later increased to 14,547 in 2006.[1] Of this total, only 3,540 were Malays while most were Malaysian Chinese.

## Notable Malaysian New Zealanders

[edit]

Main category: New Zealand people of Malaysian descent

* Michelle Ang, actress[3]
* Bic Runga, singer-songwriter[4]
* Luise Fong, artist[5]
* Kamal Bamadhaj, human rights activist[6]
* John Chen, concert pianist.[7]
* Sue Maroroa, New Zealand Women’s Chess champion[8]

## See also

[edit]

* Malaysia portal
* New Zealand portal

* Islam in New Zealand
* Malaysia–New Zealand relations
* Military history of New Zealand in Malaysia

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c Bedford, Richard; Ho, Elsie (June 2008). Andrew Butcher (ed.). "Implications of a Changing Demography: Table 8: New Zealand resident population born in Asia, 1986-2006" (PDF). Asians in New Zealand (7). Asia New Zealand Foundation: 12–14\. ISSN 1177-0031. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 February 2013. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
2. ^ a b c d e f Carl Walrond (13 July 2012). "Malaysians and Singaporeans - Malaysians". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
3. ^ Baver, Kristin. "Meet Omega: Michelle Ang on Becoming the Heart of Star Wars: The Bad Batch". StarWars.com. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
4. ^ Bailey, Judy. "Bic Runga on music, family, and why she wants to reinvent herself". Now To Love. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
5. ^ "Luise Fong: Universe". christchurchartgallery.org.nz. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
6. ^ "Punitive Damage". New Zealand Film Commission. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
7. ^ "Recordings by John Chen | Now available to stream and purchase at Naxos". www.naxos.com. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
8. ^ Franks, Raphel (16 September 2023). "Kiwi chess champion was 'accidental' player: Family mourn Sue Maroroa Jones, dead at 32". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 16 September 2023.

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See also: Overseas Malays

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