8 December 2020

Kia ora koutou,

Today the report from Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Terrorist Attacks on Christchurch Mosques was made public.

I’d like to acknowledge the work of the Royal Commission in producing this report as well as the many people who made submissions or took part in the process.

I’d also like to acknowledge the deep hurt and pain of those whose loved ones were killed in the attack, the injured, their families and wider communities. Holding a Royal Commission of Inquiry is a positive thing but it will inevitably remind people of one of the darkest days in this country’s history.

The report includes 44 recommendations and the Prime Minister has already said that the Government agrees with them in principle. Now it will plan the best way to implement them. Minister Andrew Little will coordinate this work across Government.

We expect there will be continued engagement with victims, families and communities during the development of the All of Government response. Last Saturday Ministers, supported by our team, met with representatives of Christchurch’s Muslim communities. More engagements are planned.

Some decisions have already been taken. This includes agreement to set up a Ministry for Ethnic Communities, upgrading the Office of Ethnic Communities and strengthening its work. I know from my conversations that the creation of a Ministry is important to many of you. It’s a positive step and reflects the importance of ethnic communities to Aotearoa New Zealand.

The new Ministry will come into being on 1 July 2021, allowing time for the changes needed. I expect our ethnic communities will have a voice in the focus and development of this new Ministry.

Minister Radhakrishnan said this afternoon that the Government is committed to ensuring all people feel safe, that they belong, are valued and can contribute. We will keep you updated as the Government’s response develops further.

In the meantime take care of yourselves, your loved ones and the wider communities you represent and work with.

Ngā mihi nui

Anusha Guler
Executive Director, Office of Ethnic Communities