highlighted Christchurch and other parts of the South Island as places where migrants may be more exposed to overt racism. Participants considered these regions to have less ethnic diversity and exposure to different cultures in comparison to Auckland. Some also noted that within smaller regions across the country, awareness of racism toward migrants was low and responses to racism were considered an urban issue. I think a lot of people that live here [small region] see New Zealand-wide messaging as just “Oh that's Wellington and Auckland stuff” and we're totally removed from that, it doesn't apply to us. (Provider) 4.5. Belief that racism in Aotearoa New Zealand is not as bad as other countries Many participants did not feel that racism toward migrants in Aotearoa New Zealand was a major issue when compared with other countries. It's not as extreme as other countries, but you do face it every day in New Zealand in your life... (Chinese focus group) The latter quote supports this view although it is important to note that the examples provided are in fact no different to Māori genocide and the Christchurch terror attacks. It is also important to note the media analysis suggested the minimisation of racism in this country can depict a sense of denial that racism exists and an excuse to not address it (see Appendix 2). We have to differentiate between New Zealand, the United States of America, and Australia. Here is much better. The Treaty of Waitangi helps. In Australia they can’t even apologise. They were shooting them like birds. (African focus group) Mature Pacific participants specifically noted that racism in Aotearoa New Zealand was not as bad as during the 1970s ‘Dawn Raids’ era when Pacific peoples and migrants that overstayed their working visas were targeted and forcefully deported. Like look at our history - our Pacific people came to New Zealand and they came to work, had no citizenships and got to the point when they were deported...Racism doesn’t happen here - we only heard about it when we were in Samoa when our people were being deported back to Samoa [during the Dawn Raids]. (Samoan focus group) In this light, it is important to note that some mature participants were less likely to consider racism an issue. As described by some young participants this may be due to mature people viewing differential outcomes as being the result of individual choices, rather than inter-generational racialisation and trauma, being less exposed to social media and more likely to socialise and connect with smaller social groups and networks that protect them. In my opinion, it’s increased. I understand if our elders aren’t aware of it because I think they aren’t exposed to the news, social media...But us young ones, we read the news every day, we can ascertain what is racism and what is not. (Samoan focus group) www.malatest-intl.com Drivers of racism – March 2021 45