1 June 2021

Kia ora koutou katoa,

One month from today Aotearoa New Zealand will have a Ministry for Ethnic Communities. It's something our communities have been asking for and on 1 July it will be a reality.

The recent Budget provided an additional $5.3million funding for the new Ministry over the next four years. This comes after the $4.686 million already agreed by Cabinet in December 2020 and continues the trend of increased funding for the ethnic communities portfolio since March 2019.

The work of the new Ministry will be driven by the needs and priorities of ethnic communities. Minister Radhakrishnan will set the new organisation's direction and she has already said that she wants her priorities to reflect those of our communities.

Over the last few weeks we have been running sessions, in towns and cities across the country, with members of ethnic communities and community leaders. The purpose of these hui was to hear what was important to ethnic communities and, where the new Ministry should focus its efforts to start with. Hundreds of people took part and we recorded everyone's views and wishes.

A number of key themes emerged from this work. Issues like health, education, housing, employment, access to government services and tackling racism came through as important to people across our communities. We are an increasingly diverse nation with over 200 ethnicities. Between us we speak over 170 languages. As people we need and want the same things. Better health outcomes, an education system that allows all of our children to thrive, economic opportunities, and a society that respects everyone's ethnicity and culture.

There is work to do and a new, independent Ministry will provide a platform for change. Aotearoa New Zealand won't be transformed overnight, shifting culture takes time and effort. The issues and priorities that came out of our recent sessions come under the remit of different Government agencies. Clearly the new Ministry will have a role to lobby and influence across Government. Having a Chief Executive, with a seat at the top table will strengthen our ability to do that.

On the subject of Chief Executives, we've been told the Public Services Commission (PSC) is on schedule with its recruitment process. There are a lot of steps involved so it may take a little while yet, but we hope PSC will announce the leader of the new Ministry before 1 July.

Although work getting everything ready for the new Ministry has dominated things recently, we have taken time to mark a number of days and celebrations. I'd like to particularly acknowledge the World Day for Cultural Diversity on 21 May, Africa Day on 25 May, Pink Shirt Day (the photo below is from a morning tea we held in Wellington) as well as wishing our Buddhist communities Happy Vesak.

Take care of yourselves, your families and communities. 

Ngā mihi nui
Anusha Guler
Executive Director, Office of Ethnic Communities

Our recent work

Eid at Parliament

On 17 May Eid was celebrated at Parliament. The OEC team, and Muslim community members from across the country were joined by the Prime Minister, Minister Woods (standing in for Minister Radhakrishnan who was sadly ill), Ibrahim Omer MP and Muslim leaders.

The event included speeches, readings and of course food. It was especially nice that everyone could gather together after COVID-19 disrupted things last year.

We took lots of photos and, so you can see more of the evening we have created a gallery on Facebook.

High interest in Digital Inclusion Fund 

The first round of applications for the Digital Inclusion Fund was a great success. 43 applications, totalling $1,186,664 were received.

The purpose of the fund is to support projects and initiatives that increase the digital skills and confidence of ethnic community members. The internet is increasingly critical to accessing services and social participation, so anything that can help people interact online is a positive step for inclusivity.

The applications will now be assessed by a panel, chaired by OEC and made up of representatives from DIA’s Digital Public Service Branch and Internet New Zealand’s Community Team. Funding decisions will be made, and money allocated by 30 June.

Other news

COVID-19 - helping keep each other safe

Last week the Australian state of Victoria went into lockdown following the emergence of several community cases of COVID-19. The Victorian Government has published a list of locations of interest associated with the cases that have been identified.

The New Zealand Government has issued clear instructions for anyone who recently returned to New Zealand from Victoria.

• If you visited Victoria from 11 May and are now in New Zealand, there are some things you need to do:
• Check Victoria Health’s website for locations of interest. 
• If you have been at a location of interest and/or have been in Victoria since 20 May:
  • Isolate at your home or the accommodation you are staying in.
  • Call Healthline on 0800 358 5453 and tell them you are a close contact or a casual contact of a case in Victoria, Australia.
  • Get tested for COVID-19 – this is free for everyone.
  • Isolate until a medical officer of health tells you that you do not need to anymore. You can leave your home or accommodation to get tested. You will need to isolate for up to 14 days from your potential exposure.
• If you visited Victoria between 11 and 19  May but did not visit a location of interest:
  • Watch for symptoms and call Healthline on 0800 358 5453 if any symptoms develop.

The latest information is available at the COVID-19 website.

Please help keep Aotearoa safe by spreading the word to the communities you work with and represent. 

Meet the team

You've told us you like hearing more about our team so we'll keep sharing profiles. This week we introduce Danny Shaw, Lead Advisor Ministerial Services 
Applied Policy Team.

Danny started his public service career back in 2007 as a Graduate Policy Analyst for DIA’s Ministerial Advice Team, before moving into the Local Government Regulatory Policy Team. From there, he moved to the Ministry for the Environment as a Policy Analyst working, amongst other things, on a National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity.

In 2012, Danny took a policy career hiatus to fulfil an ambition to become a frontline Police Officer, which he did for four years, including as a Constable in the areas of Community and University Policing within the Wellington Central District. After scratching that itch, Danny moved back into the policy world, working for 18 months as a Policy and Ministerial Services contractor within the New South Wales State Government, Australia. Upon returning to New Zealand in 2017, Danny took up a role as a Senior External Relations Advisor for MBIE, before coming full circle in his career, taking up a Senior role back at DIA’s Ministerial Advice Team. 

For the past two and a half years, Danny was the Lead Ministerial Services Advisor for the Three Waters Reform Programme, which is proposing the biggest restructure of local government in 30 years. 

In his spare time, Danny is an avid sportsperson, having previously competed in New Zealand’s Provincial Rugby League and Wellington Rugby Union competitions. Having retired from these contact sports, Danny keeps up running and is an avid gardener.