Introduction

In recent years, with economic integration, the general trend of globalization of trade will change in government functions. E-government diffusion becomes an international phenomenon, how to set up e-government, the protection of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds of citizens in different countries. E-government becomes a major issue in our life. As a representative of the South Pacific countries, The New Zealand (NZ) government is determined not to let NZ fall too far behind the global leaders in ecommerce application, especially with regard to e-government (Barton et al. 2000, NZ E-Commerce Strategy 2000, Story 2000). The NZ e-government supports the information system application of different ethnics. I t is to obtain the trust of the people in New Zealand, it also led to good communication between people and the government. Moreover, New Zealand has a beautiful environment and unique culture; many people want to immigrate to New Zealand. According to the University of Waikato conducted by Bedford, Ho and Lidgard (2000), “This society comprises, on the one hand, a unique home base in Aotearoa for Maori, as well as a home for the majority of European, Polynesian and Asian ethnic groups that have claims on New Zealand citizenship or residence.” In essence, contemporary New Zealand is best conceptualized as a ‘metasociety’ (Macpherson, 1997). Therefore, this research will focus on Chinese immigrants, in order to find out the impacts of Chinese immigrants on New Zealand e-government adoption and use. And also the research will focus on how the Chinese cultural impacts on New Zealand e-government adoption and use. Though how the New Zealand e-government and the people of new Chinese immigrants to establish a direct and convenient communication channels.

New Zealand is a famous country in Pacific island. New Zealand has the excellent environment, and also it has a European culture and indigenous Mori culture. In recent years, as more as in India, China and other Asian immigrant to immigrate to New Zealand, let New Zealand becomes multiethnic and multicultural. The recent immigration policy initiatives, which are largely designed to rejuvenate flows of entrepreneurs and investment capital from Asia, have been accompanied by active soliciting of migrants in Chinese especially (South China Morning Post, 1998: 4; Ho and Bedford, 1998).According to the New Zealand immigration website(2007), from 1998 to 2007, there have 43897 Chinese immigrants to New Zealand. China is New Zealand’s major countries of migrants. Furthermore, for the main purpose of this research, there are different cultures between Chinese and New Zealanders. Therefore, these Chinese as new immigrants to New Zealand, they would learn how to use New Zealand e-government services. They would learn how to communicate with the government and gain benefits from New Zealand e-government.

New Zealand’s e government uses new technologies and processes to help public sector agencies work together to meet the New Zealanders. We want to ensure that New Zealanders benefits from the ways that the Internet can be used to improve government. We see e-government enabling a transformation in the way government operates and delivers results for New Zealanders (New Zealand E-government, www.govt.nz. 2003).Moreover, as Rowena (2006) stated, “for the adoptions and uses of e-government in New Zealand, e-government within New Zealand is part of an overall government-led Digital Strategy intended to ensure that New Zealander benefit from the power of information and communications technology.” Furthermore, The NZ government would also be well advised to use the results of an APEC “Readiness Assessment” evaluation to help determine the economy’s general readiness to implement national e-government services and to participate successfully in the global digital economy (APEC 2000).Therefore, New Zealand e-government advocates of cultural protection, give people a very good impression.

In addition, the main point of this research is to investigate the relationship between national culture and e-government adoptions and uses in New Zealand. New Zealand government protects their indigenous culture. For example, although a small number of Maori, but the field of culture in building e-government in New Zealand has priority. A study by Forbes et al.(2000) indicates that e-government is seen as one way to help “close the gaps,” NZ Maori communities and leaders are concerned about the effect the Internet and e-government will have on Maori culture, values, rights, privacy, and cultural and intellectual property. Some Maori people currently have a “distrust of the Internet as a medium for sharing certain kinds of information… it is clear that Maori are increasingly interested in the Internet” because many Maori organizations and communities are developing their own websites (Forbes et al. 2000).Therefore, in New Zealand, Maori culture in the field of e-government construction priority. Maori have their own language version in New Zealand e-government; it is very convenient for Maori. According to the study of E-Government Issues in New Zealand from University of Waikato, Deakins, Caves and Dillon (2001) reported that to ensure the sharing of common goals in regard to e-commerce and e-government, the NZ government plans to consider the cultural and intellectual property rights of NZ Maori and those of other NZ-residing indigenous peoples, as well as the inclusion of Te Reo Maori (Maori language) on government websites, e.g. (Guidelines 2000). Finally, e-government in New Zealand was a great success, government provide good services to people in New Zealand. All ethnic groups will be treated fairly and respected in New Zealand e-government.