• Ethnic diversification through immigration from the Pacific was only encouraged when a growing demand for labour manifested after the Second World War. The downturn of the Aotearoa New Zealand economy in the mid-1970s and growing anti-Pacific sentiments led to the Aotearoa New Zealand government authorising the police to conduct ‘Dawn Raids’ to deport Pacific peoples who overstayed their visas – even though Pacific peoples only comprised one-third of overstayers (British, Australian and South African migrants made up most of the overstayer group) but ended up being in the majority (86%) of those arrested and prosecuted for overstaying. The government-mandated preference for European migrants only officially ended in 1987, with the passing of the Immigration Act and the introduction of a pointsbased system that classified migrants on the basis of their skills and potential to contribute to Aotearoa New Zealand’s society and economy. Despite the passing of the Immigration Act 1987, discriminatory immigration policies have continued, such as preventing African and Middle Eastern refugees from resettling in the country, unless they have existing family members here (Mercer, 2019), and policy changes preventing those entering into arranged marriages from bringing their spouses to Aotearoa New Zealand (Graham-McLay, 2019). Public harassment included: 2.1.4. • Pacific, Chinese and Indian migrants were initially welcomed when they first arrived because they were able to meet labour demands (e.g., gold mining and manufacturing). However, anti-migrant prejudices developed as labour shortages and economic competition grew. • Anti-Chinese and anti-Indian community organisations were established in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, like the White New Zealand League, the Anti-Chinese Association and the Anti-Asiatic League, which campaigned against Asian migration to Aotearoa New Zealand and spread propaganda distorting their activities to heighten public outrage (e.g., opium smoking, prostitution, etc.). • Pacific migrants underwent similar harassment as labour opportunities grew scarcer and were subjected to the ‘overstayer’ campaigns of the late-1970s and the Dawn Raids. Contemporary attitudes towards migrants in Aotearoa New Zealand Since those early waves of immigration, migrants have arrived in New Zealand from many parts of the globe. There is a small body of Aotearoa New Zealand-based work exploring attitudes towards immigration and migrants. Dixon (2019) reviewed international literature and found there were conflicting views about migrants. On the one hand, migrants can be viewed positively because they can provide opportunities to overcome economic, social and demographic challenges (e.g., www.malatest-intl.com Drivers of racism – March 2021 18