Polynesian developing into an underclass

Economist Greg Clydesdale, of Massey University's management and international business department, warns that Polynesians display "significant and enduring under-achievement" - a problem immigration is making worse.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4553782a10.html

Interesting reaction to the paper.

Would be interesting to read the paper - the statistics to date certainly seem to be solid (and frankly are likely to be dependent on one another - education, employment, crime etc). But to then extrapolate that to say that more Pacific Islanders will lead to a decrease in NZ's employment and economy seems a very long bow to draw. Perhaps he's right though, the cycle needs to be broken to ensure that they have the same opportunities (flipside being, perhaps their culture doesn't see those as opportunities and are more focussed on a slow family life)

Laban's reaction is quite knee-jerk and does little to dispel the impact of the findings. Pointing out a few Pacific Island achievers and relying on some general sentiment in the Pacific Island community that they don't 'feel' like they're the underclass is unhelpful and frankly, desperate. As is the claim that the study is lazy and unprofessional - um, how?

Winnie Laban - blinkers on...

R

good point

I refrained from commenting early as i had Greg as a lecturer and found him fairly pragmatic and well reasoned (as youd expect from a dr). He has a particular interest in national competitive advantage and in particular the rise/fall & rise of china and asia generally. I suspect he has drawn on those influences in this study (but i havent read it).

I think some people should get their heads out of the sand

from my personal experience this is very true

we should all focus on slowing things down a bit and chilling out.. take a page out of the nesian book..

"economic development"? is that code for you and your wife sending ya kids to daycare and working 60 hour weeks so you can afford to compete with other dual income couples to buy a pokey house in an c-list suburb? why not focus on family, community, culture & leisure?

heh - hi toasted.

Would be fine but if we are all on the dole and causing violent crime who is going to pay for the taxes to pay for winz and the police?

It's all white devil's fault!!!!