1. Do We Belong Here? Paul Henry and the Language of Racism in New Zealand

2. 2 Paul Henry on Governor-General - 'Is he even a NZer?' Former TVNZ broadcaster Paul Henry interviews New Zealand Prime Minister John Key about selecting a future Governor-General. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/video.cfm?c_id=1&gal_objectid=10678060&gallery_id=114287

3. An Ideal New Zealander? 3 Paul: Um its almost time is it for you to choose a Governor-General? John: Yeah… because the current Governor-General, Sir Anand Satyanand, his term is finishing in the middle of next year. Paul: Is he even a New Zealander? John: Ah…yes he’s a New Zealander. Paul: Are you gonna choose a New Zealander who looks and sounds like a New Zealander this time? John: In fact, [smiles] well in fact, every new ah, every Governor- General since Porritt has been a New Zealand born New Zealander, so… Paul: Hmm yeah but are we going to go for someone who’s more like a New Zealander this time though? (Paul Henry on Governor –General – ‘Is he even a Nzer?’, October 9, 2010)

4. 4 Discourse Analysis Paul Henry’s repetition of “a New Zealander” indicates that only people of White ancestry are to be classed as true New Zealanders. “Who looks and sounds like a New Zealander” – Henry was probably unaware or more likely, mischievous about the fact that the present Governor-General was a born and raised New Zealander. John Key’s reply was more-or-less self-controlled but it is clear that he was taken aback by Henry’s comments. “In fact, [smiles] well in fact, every new ah…” – Key’s smiles and faltered phrases may signify his puzzlement about Henry’s ignorance but nonetheless, maintained his ‘Prime Ministerial’ image on national television.

5. 5 Linguistic Terms & Definitions Negative Stereotyping – Paul Henry stereotypes the Governor-General, Sir Anand Satyanand based on his name and skin colour, despite John Key stating that Sir Anand is “a New Zealander”. As Scollon & Scollon rightly say, Sir Anand was judged “on the basis of a single dimension” (2001, p. 171). Otherisation – Holliday et al. (2004, p. 180), define this term as “ascribing identity to the Self through the often negative attribution of characteristics of the Other”. Henry otherises Sir Anand for neither looking nor sounding like a ‘typical’ New Zealander.

6. 6 In-group – Henry and Key are identified as members of the ‘in-group’ because both belong to the dominant ethnicity (Pakeha) and are high influential figures in their respective fields. Out-group – Sir Anand is projected as an outcast because he is not ‘Kiwi’ enough to posses features (or abilities) that would allow him to be categorised as an in-group member. In Van Dijk’s words (1987, p. 111), Henry was able to “express and persuasively communicate [his] attitudes to [Key, who is another] in-group member”.

7. 7 Power through Discourse Paul Henry, as a TVNZ broadcaster, is in a position of power because he controls the flow of the interview and decides what topics to engage on with the Prime Minister. John Key, on the other hand, has no power to ‘deviate’ from the touchy subject surrounding Sir Anand Satyanand’s actual ethnicity. This is indicated through his faltering expressions shown in the interaction (E.g. In fact…well in fact, every new ah…” ).

8. 8 Conversely, it can be argued that Key maintained his ‘political’ power, by choosing not to retaliate to Henry’s remarks, although the Public do not collectively agree with his salient behaviour. Nonetheless, Henry continues to establish his ‘power’ towards the end of the discourse by repeatedly questioning on whether Key would choose a person “who’s more like a New Zealander”.

9. 9 Media & Public Reactions Sir Anand ‘as Kiwi as anyone’ …There was no right answer to what made a true New Zealander, as there were Kiwis from all cultures. “When you talk about [being a] true kiwi, what is a true New Zealander? Is it a European or a Māori? Or if you join the army, or what? What does ‘look like a New Zealander’ mean?” “Paul Henry is a racist. His large salary is paid by us, the working taxpayers,” Mr. Carolan said. “Public-sector broadcasting should have zero tolerance for racism. It’s time for TVNZ to sack Paul Henry”. (Extract by Tapaleao, 2010, Front page)

10. 10 Conclusion Although the Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand is supported by the media and a number of prominent figures, the question has been raised as to who is eligible enough to be classified as a New Zealander. Paul Henry’s remarks reflects on how the rest of New Zealand views minority or immigrant communities, as shown by the poll voting on Campbell Live. The integration of various communities does not seem to be as harmonious as once thought.

11. 11 References Holliday, A., Hyde, M., & Kullman, J. (2004). Intercultural communication: An advanced resource book. London: Routledge, pg 180-181. Paul Henry on Governor-General – ‘Is he even a NZer?’. (2010). Nzherald.co.nz. Retrieved October 9, 2010 from the world wide web: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/video.cfm?c_id=1&galobjectid=10678060&gallery_id=114287 Scollon and Scollon. (2001). In Bowe., H., & Martin, K. (2007). Communication across cultures: Mutual understanding in a global world. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pg 87-91. Tapaleao, V. (2010, October 5). Sir Anand ‘as kiwi as anyone’. The New Zealand Herald, pg A1 (front page). Van Dijk. (1987). In Bowe., H., & Martin, K. (2007). Communication across cultures: Mutual understanding in a global world. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pg 87-91.