Communicating work culture adaptation techniques of Filipino migrants in New Zealand : Kampanteng Kiwinoys : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Communication and Journalism at Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand

Abstract

Filipinos are the third-largest Asian ethnic group and the second-fastest-growing population of migrants in New Zealand (Asia New Zealand Foundation, 2020; Statistics New Zealand, 2024a). With the continuous influx of migrant workers from the Philippines for the last 19 years, New Zealand has been home to several migrants working in the health, construction, dairy, and information technology industries. Through the lens of cultural fusion theory, this study provides insights into the cultural adaptation of Kiwinoys in the workplace. Specifically, this study: (1) describes the cultural adaptation experiences of people in New Zealand; (2) identifies to what extent Filipino migrants choose acculturation over cultural maintenance; and (3) determines the extent receptivity and conformity pressure from the dominant culture in New Zealand affect intercultural transformation among Filipino migrants. The first article reveals that the cultural adaptation of immigrants in New Zealand can be traced along the acculturation, cultural adaptation, and cultural fusion of Berry (1970, 2003, 2005, 2006), Aycan and Berry (1996), and Sam and Berry (2010) on acculturation, Kim (2001, 2017) on cross-cultural cultural adaptation, Kraidy (2005) on cultural hybridity, and Croucher and Kramer (2016) on cultural fusion theory. The results of the second article reveal that ecological adaptability, language use, media language, and community engagement positively relate to acculturation. The results of the third article suggest that both host receptivity and host conformity pressure are positively related to intercultural transformation. The results of this study enrich existing theories on cultural adaptation and intercultural communication and provide deeper and wider perspectives on how Filipinos thrive as an ethnocultural group in New Zealand.