The coping strategies and responses of African youth in New Zealand to their encounters with the police

ABSTRACT

This article looks at the coping behaviors used by African youth in Aoteaora New Zealand during their encounters with the police. African youth are one of New Zealand's newest and youngest populations yet report disturbing accounts of racial provocation and abuse by the New Zealand police. In a research study carried out with African youth about their experiences with the police, qualitative interviews with the youth and African community leaders revealed that the youth responded to the discriminatory behaviors of the police in a number of ways. These responses included being obstructive, demonstrating vigilance of police practices, and avoiding subsequent encounters with the police, and indicate that the youth are prepared to challenge the perceived racism of the police.

KEYWORDS:

• African youth
• New Zealand
• police
• migrants
• racism

Acknowledgments

I wish to thank the African Communities Forum Incorporated (ACOFI) and members of the African community especially the youth; Migrant Action Trust; New Zealand Aids Foundation; as well as the co-researchers Lemlem Azanaw, Kizito Essuman, Noah Ghebremichael, Marvin Mukuhi Kimata Kamau, Tasmine Kayitesi, Mandisi Majavu, Guled Mire, Mohamud Mohamed, Nikhat Moulvi, Rosemine Mutamuliza, and Eti Puni for their support with this research.

Notes

1. 2013 Census QuickStats about culture and identity: Middle Eastern/Latin American/African ethnic grouping. StatsNZ. http://www.stats.govt.nz/Census/2013-census/profile-and-summary-reports/quickstats-culture-identity/middle-east-latin-african.aspx

2. 2013 Census ethnic group profiles: African. StatsNZ http://m.stats.govt.nz/Census/2013-census/profile-and-summary-reports/ethnic-profiles.aspx?request_value=24784&tabname=Age,sex,andethnicities

3. 2013 Census ethnic group profiles: European. StatsNZ http://m.stats.govt.nz/Census/2013-census/profile-and-summary-reports/ethnic-profiles.aspx?request_value=24652&tabname=Labourforce

4. New Zealand Police: Offender (demographics) http://www.police.govt.nz/about-us/publications-statistics/data-and-statistics/policedatanz/proceedings-offender-demographics

5. NCEA – National Certificate of Educational Achievement. NCEA is the national qualification system for New Zealand's senior secondary school students. It is made up of three certificates at Levels 1, 2 and 3 and usually studied in Years 11, 12 and 13 https://www.careers.govt.nz/courses/still-at-school/how-to-understand-ncea/

6. Pākehā – Māori word for European.