I have my own way to protect me from racism and I cope with these challenges of racism. I have to protect myself for my mental health. For example, …they say oh you're Korean. So, I say yes, I'm Korean, so what? Does it affect my working ability? And they say no it's okay, I'm sorry. I think I'm not a victim from the racism. (Korean focus group) I understand that people refrain from that because its uncomfortable...but the more we sit back and allow that the more we say that is okay to treat people like that because no one is going to say anything. (Tuvalu focus group) Choosing to educate others: Participants noted the importance of having the patience and taking time to educate others and avoid aggressive responses to racism that conform to racist stereotypes about migrant groups. For us to react aggressively to the person who started the fire, we're doing nothing but adding to the fire. If I act aggressively then I am just the cannibal that they're telling me that I am. (Tokelauan focus group) Once we would have kept silent and just seethed underneath. And got really angry. … I have just found it is a lot easier to try to explain, quite forcibly. (Te Waipounamu Māori focus group) They [Pākehā couple] are interesting. They come out with dumb stuff and I will say when you say that you sound really racist. And she will say do I? And I say yeah you do. And she says how should I say it? And I say you shouldn’t. She is really good at listening. (Te Waipounamu Māori focus group) Reclaiming and strengthening cultural identity: The existence of racism in Aotearoa New Zealand ignited a desire for some participants to learn more about their culture, pass on cultural knowledge and language to younger generations, and keep their culture alive. But then growing up and moving forward - you start to realise that your Tongan language is important and then you realise that this is what creates your identity in this society. I have kids myself now and I have to teach them because they're going to grow up in a Western culture and at the end of the day, they're Tongans. (Tongan focus group) Particularly for the kids, like the New Zealand-born Chinese Kiwi. It's a lot. We're trying to preserve our culture to maintain their identity as Chinese...You still have to keep trying to tell them or they get very confused. Even for parents it's really hard to let them know. (Chinese focus groups) I have been thinking about this and for me it was a transition from being Pākehā to being Māori and I always felt, I loved waiata and I loved hearing my grandmother talking. Grandad spoke Māori and I didn’t know what he was talking about… I haven’t got there yet. I am still learning. (Te Waipounamu Māori focus group) www.malatest-intl.com Drivers of racism – March 2021 67