Racism occurs between different groups and some people also experience lateral violence4: Participants described numerous overt and subtle racist behaviours that were expressed in the forms of verbal, emotional and physical abuse. This was primarily shown by one ethnic group towards another, although racist verbal and emotional abuse were also exemplified between members of an ethnic group. The impacts of racism are extensive and span across all aspects of wellbeing: Participants highlighted culture, identity loss and compromise, colonised thinking and judgement of their own culture, eroding self-belief and confidence, fear and disengagement in society, and exclusion and marginalisation. Participants also described learned helplessness and under-reporting. The awareness of racism has increased but participants held mixed views about changes in the prevalence and expression of racism in Aotearoa New Zealand: Most participants noted that the awareness of racism in Aotearoa New Zealand had changed over time – specifically highlighting an increasing recognition and willingness to talk about and respond to racism across all ethnic groups. However, mixed views were provided about changes in the overt and/or covert racist behaviours expressed to migrants. Recent influences included significant events such as the Christchurch mosque terrorist attack, Black Lives Matter movement, and COVID-19. Participants also noted increasing recognition of diversity in Aotearoa New Zealand, inter-ethnic relationships and a growing but limited awareness reported by some participants about migrants’ skills and contributions to workforce shortages, and a growing recognition of the importance of te reo Māori. The most significant influences for change as identified by participants were increased critical awareness and responsiveness to racism among many young people across Aotearoa New Zealand and increased media, technology and social media exposure. It is important to acknowledge that these factors also have the potential to polarise extreme views at both ends of the racism spectrum. The emotional armour used to cope with racism is worn in different ways: Minimising the impact of racism through emotional suppression, humour and social avoidance were thought to have adverse wider impacts on individuals and their whānau/families. These coping mechanisms also risk increasing the normalisation and validation of racism and stereotypes within society. Living with racism and surviving everyday settlement challenges were sacrifices migrants in Aotearoa New Zealand continued to make to improve future prospects and inclusion in employment, housing, education and society. Actively standing against and responding to racism was a form of addressing racist behaviour as were educating 4 Lateral violence is described as racism and discrimination perpetuated between colonised ethnic minority groups and is an effect of ongoing oppression (Bailey, 2020; Pyke, 2010). www.malatest-intl.com Drivers of racism – March 2021 9