In search of belonging: immigrant experiences of outdoor nature-based settings in New Zealand

Abstract

Outdoor nature-based recreation practices provide a window on human/nonhuman relationships in New Zealand society and for some new immigrants these relationships metaphorically parallel their settlement experiences. This paper draws on the qualitative component of a mixed method study conducted in New Zealand, which focused on participation in outdoor nature-based recreation in national and regional parks. Recent immigrants in New Zealand bring with them environmental values and expectations of what recreational participation in outdoor nature-based settings should and might entail. Recent migrant perceptions of these natural habitats throw into relief assumed givens about the role of national parks and the social and cultural function that these institutions have fulfilled since their inception in New Zealand society. Our research demonstrates that being able to locate one's self in nature-based settings is central to migrant integration, yet for a significant group of immigrants this is not always possible in New Zealand. This research raises a number of important questions about the nature of leisure and the politics of the environment in New Zealand. In multicultural New Zealand outdoor nature-based recreation, those who participate and those who do not, what they see and what it means to them provides a window on contemporary societal, environmental and cultural politics.

Coastal Communities, Leisure and Wellbeing: Advancing a Trans-Disciplinary Agenda for Understanding Ocean-Human Relationships in Aotearoa New Zealand

“…It has the ‘eighth longest coastline of any nation’ [ 85 ] (p. 39) and nowhere is more than approximately 100 km from the sea [ 85 ], attracting surfers from around the world, many for extended periods of time. Aotearoa New Zealanders ‘strongly identify with the sea’ and many have ‘lifelong experiences connected with either living close to the sea or visiting for holidays and leisure’ [ 28 ] (p. 79) [ 86 , 87 ]. Leisure activities in and on the sea, including swimming, fishing, surfing, sailing, and paddling, play an important role in community life [ 24 , 88 ], providing opportunities for recreational, cultural, ecological and economic (e.g., seafood and livelihoods) activities and benefits [ 29 ].…”

Politicisation of migrant leisure: a public and civil intervention involving organised sports

“…The few studies of this nature tend to focus on migrants' crossborder connections and leisure activities, which they understand as examples of the ways in which migrants integrate, while remaining in contact with their home countries (Li & Stodolska, 2006). Other studies have pointed to the significance of leisure activities in nature-based settings and/or public spaces for migrants' sense of belonging in their new countries (Lovelock, Lovelock, Jellum, & Thompson, 2011;Peters, 2010). These studies argue that, even though activities in public spaces may not be specifically designed to facilitate integration into mainstream society, selforganised leisure activities can promote mutual respect in societies with increasing diversity.…”

Leisure and settlement distress: the case of South Australian migrants

“…However, few studies on migration and leisure have explored the leisure constraints experienced by migrants, such as racial discrimination, (e.g. Sharaievska et al 2010;Lovelock et al 2011), and other barriers including: cost, time and work commitment (e.g. Stodolska 1998;Lovelock et al 2012).…”