Just a question...
Is the ethnic mix at Nix games, simply of a reflection of the ethnic simply a reflection of the ethnic mix in football clubs across Wellington / New Zealand ?
Pretty much how I view it. Wellington (central areas) themselves arent very culturally diverse, you just have to wonder around town to see it. As a newcomer to Wellington, I found it bizarre but you go out of the centre and it diversified. Just how the city is I guess. The club are doing great things on the community front and I'm sure it'll be a case of in time will bear fruit. I don't find the stadium to be a racist place, and it's a shame that the folk in the OP felt uncomfortable but christ, you can't force people along. The atmosphere itself is incredibly friendly.
Totally agree. Walking around central Wellington still feels very pakeha.
NZ is 74% pakeha. Does it seem "more pakeha" than that?
I started working in the city 5 days a week in July, I hadn't spent that much time in there for about 10-11 years. My overall perception since returning is that other cultures, and people from other cultures, are far far more prevalent than I remember. It's been an awesome experience actually, makes for a far more interesting place (not that it wasn't interesting before).
I'd say the CBD area of the Capital seems 74.1% pakeha! I last lived and worked in Wellington 15 years ago, so I'm probably a little out of touch, and I'm sure it's got more multi cultural in that time.
Still I visit at least once a year, and doesn't seem to be as diversified as say Auckland. Though I do tend to stay with mates in Khandallah, when other friends in Newton tell me that their kid's school has something like 20 different nationalities. So as Doloras says all a matter of personal experiences.
But basically if the crowd at Nix games, does appear 'too white' to some - that maybe is just a reflection of the town, and the team's fanbase.
How to improve things?
The Phoenix getting on a winning roll, and becoming the hottest ticket in town. Then hopefully some of those new "fairweather" fans, becoming hooked long term.
Also signing a player from J or K Leagues wouldn't hurt.
But the EPL/La Liga type snobbery battle, ie perceiving the A League as a shark league - will never be won with many of these folk. They won't even watch Burnley verus Everton, or Villarel verus Girona - so will never tune in locally. If you aren't in the Champions League you ain't worth my time.
