Recent immigrants and the great outdoors Brent Lovelock Centre for Recreation Research, University of Otago Kirsten Lovelock Division of Health Sciences, University of Otago Carla Jellum Centre for Recreation Research, University of Otago Anna Thompson Centre for Recreation Research, University of Otago Funded by a Sport & Recreation New Zealand Research Grant 2008: (Recent immigrants recreation experiences of outdoor nature-based settings in New Zealand)
RESEARCH GOAL: To explore and document the perceptions and practices of recent immigrants to New Zealand, in relation to nature-based recreation.
. OBJECTIVES: To document characteristics of immigrant naturebased recreational use (frequency, locale, mode) To compare and contrast the recreational practices of immigrants with settled New Zealanders. To identify key constraints
Previous research Lower participation in recreation and sport (e.g. Shores et al 2007; Gomez 2006, 2002; Ho et al 2005; Wolch and Zhang 2004; Tinsley et al 2002; Walker et al 2001; Virden and Walker 1999; Johnson et al 1998) Differences between ethnic groups in terms of group composition, activities and setting preferences (Wolch and Zhang 2004; Walker et al 2001; Virden and Walker 1999; Johnson et al 1998; Carr and Williams 1993). Different perceptions of fun, free time, relaxation and recreation (e.g. Kim and Datillo 1995; Carr and Williams 1993) Culturally specific motivations for participation McMillen (1983) Generational status & ethnicity Car and Williams (1993) Class and ethnicity interact to produce different recreation patterns (Wolch and Zhang 2004; Stodolska 2000b)
Methods Questionnaire 34 questions: activities and trends, ethnicity and language, environmental values, demographics Language: English & Chinese Survey Administration May to July, 2009 Auckland & Wellington Response 427 total response 185 NZ Born 106 New migrants 136 Settled migrants
Where are the migrant respondents from? Country of Birth 47 countries Ethnicity Most common: China, UK, Philippines, Malaysia & Australia 11 categories: NZ, Maori, Samoan, Cook Island Maori, Tongan, Niuean, Chinese, Korean, Indian, European, African 43 additional responses to ethnicity Most common: Filipino, Japanese, New Zealand European/Maori, Vietnamese
Activities participated in
Main recreational activities of migrants? Follow patterns of NZ born Higher participation in all activities by NZ born except: Nature viewing Photographing nature Freshwater fishing Collecting forest products
Migrant Status Mean number of recreational activities NZ Born 4.29 New Migrant 3.88 Settled 3.53 Migrant Ethnicity Mean number of recreational activities NZ European 4.32 European 4.79 Chinese 3.15 Other 3.38 Number of recreational activities?
Frequency of use of natural areas by migrant status 40.0% Group NZ born (n = 190) New migrant (n = 103) Settled migrant (n = 133) 30.0% Percent 20.0% 10.0% 0.0% Never 1-2 times in 12 months 3+ times in 12 months 1-2 times/month 3+ times/month Weekly Daily/most days Frequency of Participation in Outdoor Recreation
The nature of the recreation party Larger groups less likely to make solo trips More likely to recreate outside own ethnic group
Significant findings for constraints Constraints* Migrant Ethnicity Status Significant Chi-Square Resul The cost of equipment is too high (n = 381) I don t have time/ I am too busy (n = 394) The cost of transport is too high (n = 389) I don t have people to go with (n = 389) Parks and recreation areas are too far away (n = 390) I don t know where the parks and recreation areas are (n = 383) I lack the necessary experience (n = 378) I (or family members) have been in poor health (n = 377) I don t speak English well enough (n = 388) I am afraid of getting hurt (n = 379) I am not interested in outdoor recreation activities (n = 375) -------- *Ranked in order of importance as indicated by all respondents Statistically significant difference in frequencies (Chi-square p 0.01)
Cost barriers 1) Costs of equipment New Zealand born: 5.2% New migrants: 18.3% Settled migrants: 20.3% Percent 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0% Very Important Somewhat Important Cost of Equipment Not at all Important Group NZ born (n = 175) New migrant (n = 95) Settled migrant (n = 109) 2) Cost of transport New Zealand born: 12.5% New migrants: 35.7% Settled migrants: 28% Percent 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% Group NZ born (n = 175) New migrant (n = 98) Settled migrant (n = 114) 10.0% 0.0% Very Important Somewhat Important Cost of Transport Not at all Important
Recreation activities that have been abandoned? (all participants) Migrant Status Ethnicity Per rcent 100.0% 80.0% 60.0% 40.0% Migrant Status NZ born (n = 185) New migrant (n = 98) Settled migrant (n = 124) Per rcent 100.0% 80.0% 60.0% 40.0% Ethnicity New Zealand European (n = 195) European (n = 32) Chinese (n = 70) Other (n = 105) 20.0% 20.0% 0.0% Yes No Abandoned Activities? 0.0% Yes No Abandoned Activities?
Activitiesabandonedafter migration ACTIVITY TOTAL ACTIVITY TOTAL Hiking/Tramping 43 Boogie boarding 1 Skiing 23 Canoeing 1 Camping 12 Caving 1 Climbing 11 Chinese style traditional 1 exercise Swimming 10 Collecting forest products 1 Fishing 9 Cross country skiing 1 Cycling 6 Game park visits 1 Mountain biking 6 Gardening 1 Running 5 Golf 1 Sailing 5 Mountain biking 1 Saltwater fishing 5 Orienteering 1 Beach visits 4 Outdoor pursuit courses 1 Kayaking 4 Ping Pong 1 Mountaineering 4 Quad biking 1 Boating/Yachting 3 Rowing 1 Horse riding 3 Skateboarding 1 Hunting 3 Snorkelling 1 Scuba diving 3 Surfing 1 4WD 2 Tarzan swing 1 Scenery Viewing 2 Ti Qi 1 Tennis 2 Wildlife Viewing 1 Water Sports 2
Activities & reasons for abandonment (after immigration) Climate (too cold for swimming; lack of snow for skiing) Costs (expensive for equipment) Not safe (with regards to cycling) Sold/no longer own equipment Friends are not interested Poor health Outdoor areas too far away (skiing) Children (lack of time) No wildlife (specific) parks
New activities adopted post migration Activity N Activity (continued ) N Hiking/Tramping 36 Horse riding 2 Skiing 22 Hunting 2 Short walks 13 Sailing 2 Climbing 10 Snorkelling 2 Fishing 9 Surfing 2 Beaches 8 Travelling 2 Camping 8 Badminton 1 Kayaking 7 Bird watching 1 Nature walks 6 Black water rafting 1 Nature viewing 5 Boogie boarding 1 Photographing nature 5 Bungee jumping 1 Salt water fishing 5 Camp fires 1 Running 4 Gardening 1 Bicycling 3 Motor biking 1 Collecting forest products 3 Mountaineering 1 Golfing 3 Picnics 1 Mountain biking 3 Snowboarding 1 Scuba diving 3 Social gatherings in parks 1 Swimming 3 Stand up paddle boarding 1 Boating 2 Visiting forests 1 Exercise 2 Visiting parks 1 Fresh water fishing 2 Wind surfing 1
Features sought in natural areas: Features* Ranked in order of importance Migrant Status Ethnicity Significant Chi-Square Scenic landscapes (n = 411) -------- -------- Recreation facilities (n = 423) -------- Water amenities (n = 395) -------- Wildlife abundance (n = 399) -------- -------- Information in native language (n = 402) -------- -------- Proximity to home (n = 405) -------- --------
Features* Benefits of visiting natural areas: Migrant Status Ethnicity ANOVA Enjoy nature (n = 414) -------- -------- Exercise (n = 412) -------- -------- Spend time with family (n = 408) Allows escape (n = 398) A place with lots of open space (n = 398) -------- -------- A place for kids to go (n = 396) -------- Socialise/create contacts (n = 398) Gather/collect food (n = 395) --------
Member of an outdoor activity club/organisation? Yes No Migrant Status New Zealand Born (n = 185) 8.1% 91.9% New Migrant (n = 102) 7.8% 92.2% Settled Migrant (n = 122) 7.4% 92.6%
Childhood use of natural areas Occasional use (63.2%) Regular use (28%) Percent 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% Migrant Status NZ born (n = 185) New migrant (n = 86) Settled migrant (n = 111) 10.0% Never used (8.8%) 0.0% Regular Occasional Never Used User User Childhood Use
Key findings Migrant status and ethnicity areassociated with different recreational preferences These results support previous international research Key findings: Frequency of participation Migrants more in low and high participation categories Recreation Group Size Larger groups Recreation Group Composition Mix outside own ethnic group more
Key findings (contd) Personal Benefits of Recreation Spending time with families Socialising and creating contacts Key requirements of natural areas for recreation Recreational facilities Water amenities
Implications Management of natural areas Site facilities Information Promotion of opportunities How we measure recreation benefits
Acknowledgements: Alice Hang and Jiravu Chotomongkol, Wellington City Council; Annette Woods, Porirua City Council; Sydney Hon, Upper Hutt City Council; Ayumi Shibata, Waitakere City Council; Vimbai Magadza, Bevan Chuang, Lin Lee Mahendran, Sharon Xue, Auckland Regional Migrant Services; Vesna West, Lower Hutt City Council; Mdm Jin Wang; Sunjay Ganda, Auckland Indian Association; Brendon Hickey, Waitakere City Council; Vera Xu; Heather Whitmore; Jody Heaps and TESL class participants; all research participants; Helen Dunn, Jo O Brien and Diana Evans from the Department of Tourism. Thank you to the SPARC team. Funded by a Sport & Recreation New Zealand Research Grant 2008: (Recent immigrants recreation experiences of outdoor nature-based settings in New Zealand)