Anti-asian racism spikes in Aotearoa

Forty per cent of Asian Kiwis have experienced racism since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to researchers at the University of Auckland. Their paper, published in the New Zealand Medical Journal today, finds groups most likely to experience anti-asian hate were temporary migrants, students and those living in rural communities. Author Dr Lynne Soon-chean Park says experiencing racism can lead to depression, anxiety and low life satisfaction. ‘‘The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted racism in our society, including targeted anti-asian hatred,’’ she said. ‘‘Our study describes experiences of racism for Asian people in Aotearoa and the association between these experiences and life satisfaction during the first 18 months of the Covid-19 pandemic.’’ The study reveals an association between Covid-era racism and life satisfaction.