New Zealand is often celebrated as a multicultural society, yet ethnic minority youth continue to encounter social exclusion and subtle forms of discrimination. This study focuses on newer-generation Korean New Zealanders who grew up during the 1990s and 2000s, when the proportion of Asians was significantly lower and pressures to assimilate into the dominant culture were strongly felt. Within this context, many young Koreans experienced societal minoritisation, parental expectations of assimilation, and internalised racism, all of which shaped their sense of belonging and identity development. Drawing on thirty in-depth interviews, the study examines how participants reflected on their transitions from childhood to adolescence and young adulthood. Many described efforts to suppress or conceal their "Koreanness" in order to align with majority peers. Yet identity was never fixed; it was continuously renegotiated across changing contexts. During the transitions to high school and university, participants actively responded to more diverse environments, and often exercised agency by intentionally seeking out co-ethnic peer networks. These co-ethnic bonds offered validation, empathy, and a psychologically safe space, enabling participants to re-engage with their ethnic heritage and articulate multiple dimensions of self. A central finding is that co-ethnic relationships were not only sources of companionship but also critical protective environments. They fostered resilience, facilitated social and emotional development, and supported the integration of ethnic and national identities. Through these connections, participants transformed experiences of marginalisation into opportunities for growth and belonging in both their ethnic community and wider New Zealand society. The study underscores the pivotal role of co-ethnic communities in helping minority youth navigate identity conflicts. It highlights the importance of educational and social environments that promote such supportive relationships to enable the harmonious integration of multiple identities in multicultural societies.