No images? Click here
Kia ora koutou katoa,
It is a month since I started in my role as Chief Executive. That time has flown by.
One of the reasons my first few weeks have gone so quickly is the number of people I have had the privilege to meet.
As well as getting to know the Ministry team better I have met with a lot of community groups.
We have also held celebratory events in Auckland and Christchurch to mark the launch of the Ministry. You can see some photos below.
Talking with our communities is always a pleasure and it is a priority for me and the Ministry team. Hearing what is important to them is vital. It is also important that we take action based on what we hear.
In my last update I spoke about the Ministry being bridge builders between ethnic communities and Government. During the last few weeks we have been talking with other Government agencies and organisations about action to address ethnic community concerns.
One of the most significant things we've done in the last month is team up with the Ministry of Health to help ensure COVID-19 vaccination roll-out will work for ethnic communities. Vaccination is one of the most significant issues for Aotearoa New Zealand and everyone must have the information and access they need. We know not everyone is registered with the public health system and I am delighted to see options for those people as well as information being available in multiple languages. You will find more information below.
We have also set up a partnership with the Superdiversity Institute and Leadership New Zealand to help increase ethnic diversity across State Sector Boards. Getting diverse perspectives in positions of influence will help ensure the needs of all our communities are met.
The Ministry already supports increasing state sector diversity through our Nominations Service and this partnership will help us get results faster. Our teams will work together to build and deliver a diverse talent pool from the Superdiversity Institute's 100 Diverse Board-ready Chairs and Directors list for 2021. This list will identify chairs and directors across a range of diversity/intersectionality dimensions and highlight the value they can bring into the world of governance.
The 100 Diverse Board-ready Chairs and Directors initiative will be launched at events in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. We will share the details as dates and locations are confirmed.
If you, or anyone you know is interested in joining State Sector Boards visit the Superdiversity Institute website
There is a lot more to do and these initiatives are the start of what will become a bigger programme of work. I would like to thank our partners in Government, the Ministry team and our communities for their support in my first month.
There is more to come and I will keep you up to date on our work.
Ngā mihi nui
Mervin Singham
Chief Executive, Ministry for Ethnic Communities
Candy Wu Zhang welcomes guests to our Christchurch event
Mervin Singham, Minister Radhakrishnan & Mayor Dalziel with guests in Christchurch
Fatumata Bah speaks to our Auckland guests
Guests at the Auckland celebratory event
Mervin Singham thanks guests for being part of the Christchurch event
Minister Radhakrishnan addresses guests in Christchurch
COVID-19 vaccination
Government has been rolling out COVID-19 vaccination in four phases, starting with those most at risk of exposure to the virus and then those most vulnerable to its effects. Now it is the turn of the wider population.
To help manage the process, vaccination for the wider population will happen by age-band - from the oldest to the youngest.
Right now, anyone over sixty is invited to book their vaccination appointment.
The process is as follows:
For those registered with the public health system
- When you are eligible you will be contacted, inviting you to book your vaccine appointment
- You can book an appointment at Book My Vaccine | Ministry of Health NZ (covid19.health.nz)
- Alternatively you can call the COVID Vaccination Healthline on 0800 28 29 26 to book
- You will need two vaccinations and there will need to be at least three weeks between your first and second doses
- The day before each appointment you will be sent a reminder
- Then it's simply a case of attending your appointments.
If you are not registered with the public health system, don't worry
- Call the COVID Vaccination Healthline on 0800 28 29 26 to book your appointment
- The team on the phone will help you book your appointments
- You will need two vaccinations and there will need to be at least three weeks between your first and second doses
- The day before each appointment you will be sent a reminder
- Then it's simply a case of attending your appointments.
Everyone over 16 in New Zealand can get vaccinated regardless of immigration status. Vaccination is free for all and there's enough for everyone.
The COVID Vaccination Healthline uses interpreters so people whose first language is not English can easily make a booking.
Please help share this information with the communities you work with and represent. Everyone over 16 can get vaccinated and we don't want anyone to miss out because they weren't sure what to do.
More information on COVID-19 vaccination is available online. This includes material in 39 languages.
Other news
Ethnic Communities Graduate Programme
Our first intake of ethnic community graduates have started at their roles in policy teams at different Government agencies. A mihi whakatau was held in Parliament to welcome them to the Public Service. It was a truly moving event for our graduates, their whānau and host agencies.
This is an initiative to get more ethnic perspectives involved in Government policy, and broaden the public sector's cultural competency. It also provides a meaningful first employment opportunity for skilled graduates.
The Ministry for Ethnic Communities is keeping in close touch with our graduates and we will keep you up to date with news of the programme.
Our first intake of graduates, at Parliament with Minister Little, Minister Radhakrishnan, Mervin Singham and Public Service Commissioner Peter Hughes
Adoption law reform - have your say
Ministry of Justice are reviewing Aotearoa New Zealand's Adoption Act. This legislation hasn't been substantially changed since 1955 and doesn't reflect the values and needs our our society in 2021.
As part of the review, Ministry of Justice want to hear what New Zealanders think on this subject. A discussion document has been published on their website as well of details on how people can share their views.
The deadline for having your say is 31 August 2021.
DIA Manukau office moving
The Department of Internal Affairs’ Manukau office is moving and will be closed for a short time. The office looks after passports and we know this is an important service for our ethnic communities. Until it reopens people can book appointments online for the Carlaw Park office at https://www.dia.govt.nz/bookings. Online passport options are also available at www.govt.nz
