Prominent theories in political participation literature predict that those with higher levels of income and education are more like to engage in politics. Given the perception of Asian New Zealanders as wealthy and well educated it is puzzling not only to find that this community has low levels of political participation, but that a similar pattern emerges in the United States. It is to this background that this thesis aims to shed light on the political attitudes and participation of young Asian New Zealanders, and reports on results from depth interviews held in Christchurch between December 2007 and early 2008. A small pilot study of six Asian New Zealanders aged between 18-24 years and five of their parents were interviewed regarding their voting habits, their participation in other political activities, and their interest in politics. This thesis identifies six prominent theories of political participation and assesses their ability to explain the political participation of this small sample of young Asian New Zealanders. The results of this study are also compared with research conducted on Asian participation in the United States so as to gain a more in depth perspective of Asian immigrant political participation. This thesis finds that while the participants in this study relate closely to their ethnic and cultural backgrounds, they often identify New Zealand as ‘home’ and see their future in New Zealand. The participants also discussed politics and participation in terms commonly associated with a typical youth cohort, rather than what might be expected of a minority youth cohort. While the six youth participants in this study did not participate extensively in political activities, the interviewees indicated they are interested in politics and feel that they can influence politics in New Zealand, should they choose to do so. Furthermore, this research highlights how theories which have been found to be influential in predicting the political engagement of majority groups may not adequately explain the engagement of immigrant communities. While most theories of participation have had their widest application in relation to majority communities, minority groups are faced with a unique set of informational, legal and linguistic barriers. Thus, traditional assumptions about what serves to influence political engagement may not fully explain immigrant political participation.

Thesis (MPhil) -- AUT University, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references. Also held in print (xviii, 152 leaves : col. ill. ; 30 cm.) in North Shore Theses Collection (T 599.940993 WEN)

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Canterbury, 2007. / Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references (leaves 151-159). Also available via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (PhD--History)--University of Auckland, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.Soc.Sc. Psychology)--University of Waikato, 2007. / Title from PDF cover (viewed March 18, 2008) Includes bibliographical references (p. [86-91])

Thesis (Ph.D. History)--University of Waikato, 2007. / Title from PDF cover (viewed April 9, 2008) Includes bibliographical references (p. 315-347)

Thesis (M.Couns.)--University of Waikato, 2006. / Title from PDF cover (viewed June 12, 2008) Includes bibliographical references (p. 173-177).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Victoria University of Wellington, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Waikato, 2008. / Title from PDF cover (viewed October 3, 2008) Includes bibliographical references (p. 164-176)

The primary aim of this study was to identify the motives for self-initiated mobility of highly educated New Zealanders across national boundaries. It further seeks to identify the relative importance of these motives and to explore relationships between motivation and mobiity behaviour.  This study on self-initiated mobility is opportune as an increasingly globalised market place and a demand for the skills of the highly educated rsult in competition for workers.       Most literature concerning mobility focuses on expatriate assignment.  By comparison, self-initiated movers remain an under-researched group.  Moreover, of the limited research on self-initiated mobility, most have used interviewing and narrative methods, so that the available information is detailed but restricted to individual experiences.  This study used a self-report survey via the internet to collect both quantitative and qualitative data and yielded 2,608 useable responses from New Zalanders living and working throughout the world.  It was highly exploratory, using the analytical marketing tool CHAID to show linkages between subjective attitudinal motives and objective measures of moility behaviours.     The desire for cultural and travel opportunities was the dominant subjective motive, being the best predictor for the objective mobility behaviours of establishment, current spatiality and return propensity and being a secondary predictor for restlessness.  Other associations were evident between the quality of life motive and the behaviour of restlessness, the career motive and cultural globalism and the relationships motive and the behaviour of latent transience.  Economics and the political environment motives were not found to be significant predictors of any behaviour.     The subjective data reinforced the importance of the cultural and travel opportunities and career motives, ranking these the most important motives in a decision to be mobile.  Within these motives, opportunities for travel and adventure and for career development were central.  Economics was ranked as the third most important motive, contrary to extant literature, followed by relationships, quality of life and the political environment.  The priority accorded to each of these six motives varies according to gender, location and life stage, creating different equations of motivation.