Office of Ethnic Communities Update Flourishing ethnic diversity; thriving New Zealand What's been happeningThe Office of Ethnic Communities is government's authoritative advisor on ethnic diversity in New Zealand. Our Purpose is that Ethnic Communities are strong and the benefits of ethnic diversity for New Zealand are realised. General Manager's UpdateThe ground has shifted literally in Kaikoura, and it continues to move along the many fractured fault lines which run through our country. Also in the past week a number of our Tongan community have lost their lives in trying to reach solid ground in the Kaipara Harbour. Our thoughts are with the Tongan community and the people of Kaikoura as they pull their lives and communities back together. Contributions from DiversityThe growth of diversity in New Zealand is a fairly obvious phenomenon of the last few decades. New Zealand has more ethnicities than the world has countries. The vibrancy that brings is also clear, and most New Zealanders will take advantage of the cuisine and the cultural opportunities arising. Ethnic Communities Development FundThis year, the Office of Ethnic Communities has introduced a new fund for ethnic communities. The Ethnic Communities Development Fund (ECDF) replaces Settling In, and is designed to contribute to improving New Zealand’s social cohesion and support the development of established and emerging ethnic communities. Do you need an Interpreter?Language Line can provide interpreters over the phone in 44 Languages. To get an interpreter, any member of the public can call or visit an organisation that has access to this service, just state the language needed. Assess your readiness for governance rolesThe Office of Ethnic Communities facilitates the appointment of people from ethnic communities to state sector boards and committees. Becoming a board member requires certain level of experience and skills. The Ministry for Women has developed a comprehensive tool called my board strength to help assess your readiness for governance roles. Ranjna Patel Receives the Prestigious Deloitte Visionary AwardThe Office of Ethnic Communities is very proud to see Ranjna Patel – a well-known business entrepreneur and a community worker receiving the Deloitte Top 200 Visionary Leader award for 2016. Congratulations! The “World in Whangarei” Local Migrant Settlement Network MeetingOn 17 November 2016 the first Whangarei Migrant Local Settlement Network Meeting was held by the Whangarei Settlement Steering Group.This network meeting plans to come together twice a year to create opportunities for cross-agency collaboration to provide better public services, in particular for new migrants to the region. Radio In: Christchurch Community radio calls for collaboration on disaster preparednessPLAINS FM Christchurch calls for those who wish to participate in developing its new disaster operating plan to get in touch. Disasters can happen anytime/anywhere and as PLAINS FM station manager Niki Reece knows only too well from past experience it is important to regularly up grade communication strategies and create clear pathways to reliable information. Christmas Delights in the WaimakaririThe Office of Ethnic Communities was pleased to attend the Waimakariri District Council community team end of year function at the district council office in Rangiora. Denise Wiggins (Community Development facilitator) and the community team have been very active in generating links with agencies in Christchurch around the needs of newcomers and ethnic communities in the area. Younger generation flag for diversity as community board membersTwo Korean young women were successfully elected to community boards from Christchurch local election 2016. Catherine Chu gained 2,074 votes; elected for Riccarton Ward of the Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board, as well as her sister Linda Chen received 3,391 votes for Harewood Ward of the Fendalton-Waimairi-Harewood Community Board. The Micies Award of the Access Community RadioOn 6 December, the Micies Award was hosted by the Access Community Radio in Auckland. This is a gathering for members and broadcasters with the annual Planet broadcasting awards for their contributions in producing and hosting their community programmes. This annual award has been hosted alternatively by different ethnic groups. This year the Romanian community provided their traditional food and folk dancing performance. Diversity is a real strength for New ZealandThe media has recently reported on comments by an Imam in Auckland. These comments have drawn expressions of concern from the Human Rights Commissioner and the Minister for Ethnic Communities. Would you like to subscribe?Keep up to date with our projects and ethnic diversity issues by subscribing to our contact list. You will receive details about stories, events and community news by email. This includes our monthly newsletter the OEC Update. |