Reflecting on our journey, from where we started to where we are now and where we're heading, fills us with optimism. The birth of our Ministry was a response to an unprecedented tragedy. In July 2021, it was established based on recommendations from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the terrorist attack at Christchurch mosques in March 2019. This tragic event highlighted the need for government leadership to enhance social cohesion and improve Aotearoa New Zealand's response to its increasingly diverse population.

Since then, we have been tirelessly fulfilling our mandate as the chief advisor to the New Zealand government, working diligently to make Aotearoa New Zealand a truly inclusive country. We aim to create an environment where people can fully participate without fear of discrimination, racism, or bias while allowing ethnic communities to express their culture and identity freely.

However, our establishment coincided with the global COVID-19 pandemic, which profoundly impacted various aspects of life in New Zealand and worldwide. It was another challenge we had to deal with. While laying the foundations for our Ministry and tailoring our strategies and programmes to meet the specific needs of our communities, we also provided vital support to address the health (physical and mental), social, and economic challenges brought about by the pandemic.

In developing our strategic priorities, we actively listened to the voices of over 600 individuals from ethnic communities to understand their needs and aspirations. Our 2022-2025 strategy reflects the most significant concerns shared by our communities, and we’re working with our stakeholders towards realising its outcomes.

At the heart of everything we do are our ethnic communities, and I am thrilled to share some of the notable highlights from our two-year journey so far:

• In times of crises, we have acted on the ground to ensure that ethnic communities are informed, safe, and able to recover swiftly. We contributed to the government's COVID-19 vaccination target and worked to reduce vaccination hesitancy. We also kept our communities informed and aided them through the Auckland floods and Cyclone Gabrielle hub on our website.
• We have strengthened our efforts to help ethnic communities grow their capabilities and thrive. Through initiatives such as the Ethnic Communities Development Fund (ECDF), we have strengthened ethnic communities in localities across New Zealand. The Ethnic Advantage conferences have brought diverse communities together to foster their collaboration. Additionally, our work with Stats NZ has improved the gathering and reporting of official data, ensuring that policies and services are informed by evidence.
• In the realm of health, we have collaborated with the sector to ensure that ethnic communities are heard and have access to the information and services they need. Initiatives like the Pae Ora-New Zealand Health Strategy 30 engagement workshops attended by 450 participants, "For Health's Sake" plenary sessions at our Ethnic Advantage conferences, and health awareness animation videos have been instrumental in raising awareness and addressing health-related issues.
• To unlock the potential of ethnic businesses, we have initiated connections between businesses and government service providers. Through events like the Ministerial Roundtable with Heads of Business Councils and Ethnic business leaders, as well as the EthnicBiz Forum, we actively listen to the ideas, needs, and concerns of the ethnic businesses, then liaise with relevant government and community organisations to bring ideas to life, address different challenges, and explore further opportunities for a more inclusive economy.
• In employment, we have created pathways for ethnic individuals in the public sector through the Ethnic Communities Graduate Programme. Furthermore, we have worked towards better representation by nominating ethnic people to public sector boards and committees.
• In the education sector, we have collaborated with the Education Review Office (ERO) to address racism and discrimination and promote inclusion in New Zealand’s schools. Our objective was to assist the government in envisioning future requirements and devising a more responsive education system. The outcome of this collaboration was the "Education for all our Children: Embracing Diverse Ethnicities" report released in March 2023. This report represents a noteworthy achievement in our conversations about ethnic diversity within the New Zealand schooling system. It brings to light the varied educational experiences of diverse communities and opens a new chapter in an area that has been largely overlooked. 
• Lastly, we have dedicated time to celebrate our ethnic communities, fostering a sense of belonging and intercultural capability.

These highlights represent just a fraction of our endeavours. We remain committed to championing the interests of our ethnic communities, striving for a more inclusive society where diversity is celebrated, and all individuals can thrive.

One participant who has been working in the diversity and inclusion space for decades told me that her attendance at our Auckland Ethnic Advantage Conference had ‘lit her fire’ for serving the community again! This is exactly what the Ministry wants to hear from our stakeholders.

Ethnic Communities Development Fund

July also marks the start of the new financial year. We have made significant improvements to the Ethnic Communities Development Fund (ECDF) to make it more accessible, user-friendly and, most importantly, linked to one or more of our strategic priorities.

On 3 July, I shared the details of these enhancements, including a dedicated Community Funding team within the Ministry, a streamlined application process, and realigned priorities.

I invite you all to visit our website, where you'll find inspiring community stories from groups who have benefited from the fund. I encourage you to please share these stories with others who might be interested, and let's continue supporting the development of our ethnic communities.

Mānawatia a Matariki

As we celebrate our Ministry's second anniversary, we also embraced the beginning of Matariki - the Māori New Year. It was a time for reflection, connecting with whānau, and celebrating what has passed and what lies ahead.

Matariki is celebrated across various cultures, and I encourage you to explore its connections and similarities with your traditions. This year's theme, 'Matariki Kāinga Hokia' or 'Matariki calls you home', emphasises the importance of coming together and enjoying kai with family and friends.

I hope you had the chance to connect with home, family, and friends and enjoyed the exciting events that were organised across the motu to celebrate Matariki.

As we reflect on the past two years and look ahead, I want to express my gratitude for the resilience and unity our communities have demonstrated. Together, we will continue to overcome challenges and work towards a more inclusive and prosperous future.

Ka mahuta a Matariki i te pae, ka mahuta ō tātou tūmanako ki te tau -When Matariki rises above the horizon, our aspirations rise to the year ahead.

Noho ora mai,

Mervin

Coming together and celebrating

Eid Al-Fitr at the Parliament

Our Minister for Diversity, Inclusion and Ethnic Communities, Priyanca Radhakrishnan, hosted an Eid-Al-Fitr celebration at Parliament on 2 May.

More than two billion Muslims worldwide celebrate Eid al-Fitr, a three-day celebration marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

Acting Prime Minister Hon. Carmel Sepuloni opened the event by emphasising the importance of building a society where people can be proud of their heritage and celebrate their identity.

Minister Priyanca Radhakrishnan highlighted the importance of a robust civil society and drew parallels between Eid and the community's response to Cyclone Gabrielle, encompassing compassion, generosity, and unity.

During the event, the President of the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand, Ibrar Sheikh, spoke about the importance of charity during Ramadan. Tahirah Moton, Youth Representative from the Islamic Women's Council of New Zealand, drew attention to the benefits of Ramadan, including mindfulness, community, and wellbeing. Rajaie Ghashi, President of the Islamic Council of New Zealand, highlighted the importance of fostering harmony and inclusivity.

Over 200 guests, including community leaders and members, interfaith representatives, government officials, diplomatic corps, and parliamentarians, attended the celebration. The event was an opportunity for connection and solidarity.

Photos: From the Eid Al-Fitr Parliament celebration on 2 May.

Race Unity Speech Awards

The Race Unity Speech Awards finals were held in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland on 18 June. The Awards gave senior high school students a platform to express their ideas on how to improve race relations in Aotearoa.

Find out more about the awards and see photos from the finals on the Race Unity Aotearoa Facebook page.

Photo: A group photo of the winners at the Race Unity Awards event in Auckland.

COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake Fund certificates

We recently sent out certificates to community groups and individuals who helped in Aotearoa New Zealand’s COVID-19 response. In total, 78 certificates were sent to people or organisations who received funding through the COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake Fund, a partnership between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry for Ethnic Communities.

These certificates recognise the amazing effort these people made to increase vaccination rates in ethnic communities. Some focused on vaccination clinics; others held education hui or developed online promotional campaigns. Vaccination information was also translated into different languages.

The $2 million fund was administered between October 2021 and June 2022.

Here is some key data about the fund’s outcomes:

• 115 vaccination events
• 15,000 people vaccinated
• 85 videos in multiple languages
• Vaccine information translated into 40 different languages
• Telephone support offered in over 90 languages or dialects
• Educational and promotional campaigns reached over 300,000 people
• 30 small, vulnerable communities reached

Thank you to everyone who played a part in supporting ethnic communities to achieve equitable uptake and access to the COVID-19 Vaccine.

51 trees planted in remembrance of the March 15 victims

With the help of City Care Property’s Hana Saemon-Beck and Cass Bay Commitee Reserve’s Jenny Healey, Sow A Lyttel Seed (SALS) planted 100 native plants and native grasses with the 51 trees in remembrance of the 51 Shuhadaa (martyrs).

These trees and plants now stand in Lyttelton’s Pony Point reserve. They were planted by 25 participants from Christchurch City Council, Active Muslim Explorers, Asturlab Cultural Centre and Muslim Wellbeing Ōtautahi. 

Our colleagues Arthur Chin, Deputy Chief Executive for Strategic Engagement and Partnerships, and Grace Chang, Strategic Engagement and Partnerships Advisor, joined the tree-planting event on Monday, 3 July. They were excited about how it united people for such a noble cause.

Sow A Lyttel Seed (SALS) was started by Noraini Milne as a part of her healing journey, and Cathy Lum-Webb following the March 15 terror attacks in 2019. SALS’s mission is to heal the communities by growing seeds to plant hope for the future.

Hearing from our ethnic communities

Cultural Kōrero and Auckland's Ethnic Advantage Conference

We held a Cultural Kōrero event on 12 May and the Auckland edition of our Ethnic Advantage Conference on 13 May. Both events were held at Due Drop Events Centre in Manukau.

Our Cultural Kōrero evening celebrated and explored ethnic communities’ contributions to the cultural and arts sector. It was also the official launch of Professor Edwina Pio’s book Aotearoa and Bharat Māori-Indian.

Read more about the Cultural Kōrero event on our website.

Watch the launch of Professor Pio’s book.

Our Auckland Ethnic Advantage Conference featured speeches, performances, plenary and breakout sessions. Topics ranged from the cultural convergence between ethnic communities and mana whenua to how to apply for funding.

Speakers included experts from the public and private sectors, and there were opportunities for participants to engage with them and ask questions. The Auckland conference also featured an expo area, where attendees could find out more about the role and mahi (work) of various government agencies and funders.

Watch a highlight video of the conference, check out photos and find out more about it on our website.

Photo: From Auckland’s Ethnic Advantage panel discussion.

Ministerial Roundtable and EthnicBiz Forum

In line with the Ministry's priorities, we are implementing further measures to bolster the economic empowerment of our ethnic communities and businesses.

On April 28, 2023, the Ministry for Ethnic Communities organised the inaugural Ministerial Roundtable, bringing together leaders from business councils and ethnic business communities.

Mervin Singham, our Chief Executive, facilitated the discussions, which included the participation of Hon. Priyanca Radhakrishan, the Minister for Diversity, Inclusion, and Ethnic Communities, and Hon. Ginny Andersen, the Minister for Small Business. This platform provided an opportunity for ethnic business leaders to voice their perspectives and concerns.

The room was filled with a diverse range of knowledge and expertise. We engaged in kōrero (lively discussions) regarding the potential opportunities for growth within ethnic businesses, the obstacles they encounter, and the possible steps to address them.

Photos: From the Ministerial Roundtable event held in Auckland on 28 April.

Less than a month later, our first EthnicBiz Forum was held on 23 May. The Forum was an excellent two-way communication channel between government officials, business leaders and associations, academia, and owners of different-scale businesses.

The participants engaged in thought-provoking discussions, dynamic workshops and energetic networking that generated a vibrant environment and promising potential for future initiatives and discussions. 

The speakers, panellists, and attendees made the EthnicBiz Forum a resounding success. The Forum sponsors included the Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) and the Auckland Business Chamber. 

The Ministry received overwhelmingly positive feedback from those who attended both the Roundtable and the Forum. Encouraged by this response, we have decided to continue celebrating diversity, nurturing innovation, and empowering ethnic entrepreneurs. Our ultimate goal is to unlock the potential of ethnic businesses in Aotearoa New Zealand.

We want also to thank our key stakeholders who took an active part in the event, like ASEAN New Zealand Business Council, New Zealand Malaysia Business Association, India New Zealand Business Council, New Zealand Police, University of Auckland - Waipapa Taumata Rau, and Rebel Business School Aotearoa Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei - Whai Māia.

Photos: Panel discussions and precious networking moments that our ethnic businesses valued most.

Updates and Announcements

Applying to the Ethnic Communities Development Fund made easier

As you know, July signals the new 2023/2024 financial year for the Ministry for Ethnic Communities and, consequently, a new funding round of the Ethnic Communities Development Fund with an allocation of $4.2m which is distributed annually.

The purpose of the Fund continues to be to support a welcoming and inclusive Aotearoa, New Zealand, where ethnic communities connect and take part in society. Since the Ministry was established in July 2021, $8.4m has been distributed via the Fund to around 400 ethnic community groups or organisations, funding over 600 individual projects.

Given the significance of this investment to ethnic communities, the Ministry has been reviewing how the fund is managed to ensure it meets the needs of those accessing and benefitting from it.

As indicated in the Chief Executive’s message shared with our stakeholders on 3 July 2023, a new Community Funding team has been established within the Ministry and will be directly responsible for administering the Fund.  In the past this has been through the Department of Internal Affairs.

The Ministry has made some improvements to make the Fund more accessible, user-friendly, and linked to one of our four strategic priorities to ensure that we’re supporting the areas ethnic communities told us they matter most to them.

Our new Community Funding team will support applicants to address any challenges within the application process.

So, from this month, funding applications will need to show how their project meets one or more of the four priorities, which are:

• Promote the value of diversity and improve inclusion
• Equitable provision /access to Government services
• Improve economic outcomes/ barriers to employment
• Connect and empower ethnic community groups

To make access to funding support easier, the Ministry has introduced an Ethnic Communities Development Fund Hub, which is a one stop shop on everything related to ECDF and is now available on the Ministry’s website.

The Hub serves as a resource for applicants, providing detailed information about the Fund, its criteria, the application process, helpful tips, instructional video, success stories from community groups that have benefited from the Fund, a list of funded groups, and details about other funding opportunities available for communities in New Zealand.

Photo: A screenshot of the new ECDF hub on our website.

Opportunity to Join the Ethnic Communities Development Fund Panel

The Ministry is excited to announce that we are seeking Expressions of Interest to fill one vacancy on the Ethnic Communities Development Fund (ECDF) Panel. If you are passionate about supporting ethnic communities and have the expertise to contribute to the decision-making process, we invite you to apply.

This is an excellent opportunity to make a meaningful impact and help shape the future of ethnic community development in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The selected panel member will join the ECDF Panel from 1 September 2023. We encourage individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to apply, as we value inclusivity and representation within our decision-making processes.

To express your interest, please visit our website, where you will find more information about the ECDF Panel vacancy and the application process. The deadline for submitting expressions of interest is Friday, 14 July 2023.

If you are not interested in this opportunity but know someone who might be a great fit, we encourage you to share this information with them.

Make a nomination - New Zealand Royal Honours

In June 2023, the King's Birthday and Coronation Honours List was announced. We were pleased to see many people from our ethnic communities recognised for their services and contributions to ethnic languages, cultures, education, and community wellbeing.

For the full list of recipients and their citations see the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet webpage.

Can you think of individuals who have given service, volunteered and made a significant contribution in your community? You may wish to work with a few other people from your community to gather the information and to complete the nomination form.

If you have any questions, please contact the friendly staff at the Honours Unit by email: Honours@dpmc.govt.nz or phone: 04 830 5011.

Are you interested in serving on a public sector board or committee?

Would you like to contribute your skills and experiences to the strategic direction, decision-making and success of public sector companies, entities, or committees? The Ministry for Ethnic Communities regularly nominates ethnic people from our Nominations Service database for governance vacancies on public sector boards and committees. 

We are always looking for people with the right skills and experiences to join our database. Check our website, Nominations Service | Ministry for Ethnic Communities, for further information about what is involved and the skills and experiences required.

To join the database, download the registration form from the website and send it to nominate@ethniccommunities.govt.nz along with your current governance CV. 

To be eligible to join, you need to identify as Asian, African, Middle Eastern, Latin American or Continental European.

What’s on?

Ethnic Communities Violence Prevention workshops

The Ministry of Social Development wants to help prevent family and sexual violence in ethnic communities. They want to hear the specific challenges you face, and the solutions that work best for you.

Below is the schedule for free workshops held across the country. Register your interest through Eventbrite.

Virtual dates:

• Monday 24 July - 10am-12pm Women
• Monday 24 July - 2-4pm Youth
• Tuesday 25 July - 10am-12pm Rainbow
• Tuesday 25 July - 2-4pm Disabled and older people with their reps
• Wednesday 26 July - 1-3pm Regional Workshop

Contact Us

Our regional teams are here to help facilitate and encourage inclusiveness and diversity in Aotearoa and to offer support and advice to all of our ethnic communities.

You can reach out to us by email at info@ethniccommunities.govt.nz.

Take care of yourselves, your families, loved ones and wider communities.

Ngā mihi nui

Mervin Singham
Chief Executive
Ministry for Ethnic Communities