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Chief Executive's Foreword
Kia ora koutou katoa,
2022 is coming to an end in a few days. I hope you are looking forward to the joys of new beginnings that the new year brings.
Reflecting on our work in the last year at the Ministry for Ethnic Communities, I feel optimistic and ambitious for our work with communities and agencies. The years ahead look promising and more inclusive, with many hands coming together to build a bright future for everyone.
I also feel thankful for the extraordinary relationships we founded with ethnic communities, government agencies, and across the communities themselves. Trust and partnership were the cornerstones of those relationships.
2022 has been a very productive year and marked a few milestones and a number of our "first-evers" at the Ministry.
In March, the government released the Former Refugees, Recent Migrants and Ethnic Communities Employment Action Plan. The Plan we lead is one of seven population-specific employment action plans that support the government’s broader Employment Strategy. It provides information, analysis and policy options to improve labour market outcomes for former refugees, recent migrants, and ethnic communities.
In July, we launched our inaugural Strategy 2022-2025, which builds on what our key stakeholders told us we should prioritise in our initial years.
In October, we published our first Annual Report for 2021/2022. It lays out who we are and what we do and summarises a year of formation, challenges, and achievements.
We know that feeling safe and secure are important to feeling we belong in Aotearoa New Zealand. That’s why safety and security issues for our communities were at the top of our priorities this year. You may have watched my interview with Rebecca Kitteridge, NZSIS. We tried to tackle many issues and answer most of the questions I kept receiving from our communities on different occasions.
After the dreadful stabbing incident in Sandringham in November, we worked with the New Zealand Police, related government agencies and members of the Indian business community to provide the support needed, discuss the challenges and root causes of retail offending, and consider proposed solutions together. We will be convening a further meeting with the business community in the new year.
As we continue hearing from our ethnic communities about their needs, equitable access to health services will continue to be at the top of our agenda. I shared with you in October the results of the health workshop with the three chief executives of health organisations.
I want to reassure you that the kōrero and follow-up on actions in this critical area are going on and will share updates with you regularly.
We know it is important to engage ethnic communities in conversations about health. We took the opportunity during our Ethnic Advantage conferences to dedicate the main plenary “For Health’s Sake”.
In both sessions in Dunedin and Christchurch, our communities had the chance to listen directly from and ask questions to health officials. Among our panellists were Riana Manuel - Chief Executive of Te Aka Whai Ora (Māori Health Authority), Abbe Anderson - National Director of Commissioning at Te Whatu Ora (Health New Zealand), Aroha Metcalf - General Manager at Te Aka Whai Ora, and Kelly Feng - Asian Family Services Chief Executive.
To end on a high note, we wrapped up the year in November and December with the first two conferences of our new flagship, “The Ethnic Advantage Conference”. These conferences help connect people across ethnicities and faiths to share information and explore issues that matter to communities. They also celebrate the benefits that a vibrant and diverse society brings for all of us.
Engagement, full-house turnout, feeling of belonging and connection, and positive feedback exceeded our expectations! We are delighted that these conferences provided our communities with a much-needed platform for celebration, inspiration, and networking.
Sending you all my early heartfelt wishes for a happy, prosperous new year for you and your loved ones! It has been a joy to work with so many communities and stakeholders to promote diversity and inclusion across Aotearoa New Zealand this year.
Coming Together
The Ethnic Advantage Conferences
There is nothing better than coming together and discussing what really matters to all of us!The Ethnic Advantage conferences
Our Ethnic Advantage conferences are an opportunity for people from diverse ethnic communities to connect, inform and grow together. They are a space for celebration and inspiration.
The first was held in Ōtepoti Dunedin on 5 November 2022, and the second was held in Ōtautahi Christchurch on 3 December 2022.
Our communities talked about important issues, laughed over kai, and listened to several speakers discuss topics ranging from health equity, funding tips and tricks, and youth-related issues.
Find out more about the conferences, including videos that will get you the conferences vibes at Events | Ministry for Ethnic Communities.
Check out videos from the conferences on our YouTube channel to get a sense of the vibe on the days: Ministry for Ethnic Communities - YouTube
Keep checking back in as we’ll share more insights, photos and video in the coming days.
Collection of photos from Dunedin and Christchurch conferences.
Minister meets with Auckland's Chinese community leaders
In December, Minister for Diversity, Inclusion and Ethnic Communities, Priyanca Radhakrishnan, met with several Chinese community leaders in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. They shared their achievements and concerns with her. In addition, they discussed how communities could work closely with the government on various issues.
The hui was a great opportunity for community leaders to build on their relationship with the Minister, one another and the Ministry staff.
The Ministry works hard to connect, empower and engage with our ethnic community groups. There are many similarities in our experiences and different perspectives that can help us grow and learn from one another. We encourage you, our ethnic communities and leaders, to continue sharing your thoughts and experiences with us.
The Waikato Community Inclusivity Symposium
On 26 November, we were delighted to join the Waikato Community Inclusivity Symposium in Hamilton. The Symposium was hosted by The University of Waikato and the Waikato Muslim Association.
The main purpose of the Symposium was to stimulate and strengthen productive collaboration, cultural immersion and engagement to create a dynamic, inclusive community.
Find out more here: Inclusivity symposium aims to lay pathway from crisis to transformation
Our Chief Executive meets with ethnic service providers in Auckland
Our Chief Executive invited a group of ethnic service providers and NGOs to a meeting in our Auckland-based office last November. We know ethnic service providers and NGOs need more support to provide culturally appropriate services to ethnic communities. The purpose of the meeting was to explore the challenges service providers face and offer a platform to listen to potential solutions.
The hui was a great opportunity to connect with our service providers – 21 representatives attended the hui. We all agreed that the complexity of working during a pandemic made it more challenging for them.
The Ministry encourages service providers and ethnic community groups to continue reaching out and sharing their challenges and aspirations with the Ministry. Our Auckland team will continue to have this kōrero on a regular basis.
Ethnic Entrepreneur Forum 2022
On 25 November, our Chief Executive spoke at the CNSST Foundation’s Ethnic Entrepreneur Forum 2022 on the Ethnic Strategy for migrant business support.
Mervin talked about the economic contribution of ethnic communities in New Zealand. He shared some insights about the workforce in NZ, how the government can impact social cohesion, the challenges we face with migrant businesses, and some of the proposed solutions.
Dunedin Multi-Ethnic Council hui
The Dunedin Multi-Ethnic Council, led by their president, Lux Selvanesan, hosted a hui with the different ethnic leaders for a kōrero with our Chief Executive Mervin Singham.
The purpose of this meeting was to discuss the different challenges our communities are facing and offer a platform to discuss potential pathways for solutions. We also focused on the need for a Multicultural Centre in Dunedin.
The hui was a great opportunity to hear the voices of our communities in one room - around 30 representatives attended.
Achieving and Celebrating
Ministry wins in three categories in the Te Hāpai Hapori | Spirit of Service Awards
Te Hāpai Hapori | Spirit of Service Awards are awarded annually to celebrate outstanding public services and initiatives, motivated by a spirit of service, that make a positive difference for New Zealanders.
We were honoured in the following three categories:
• Service Excellence Award - Te Tohu mō te Ratonga Whakahirahira
• Better Outcomes Award - Te Tohu mō ngā Hua E Pai Ake Ana
• Prime Minister’s Award - Te Tohu a te Pirimia
We promise to continue serving our communities to make a real difference for them and our country towards a more inclusive Aotearoa New Zealand!
Ko te pae tawhiti whāia kia tata, Ko te pae tata whakamaua kia tīna.
Seek to bring distant horizons closer and cherish those you attain!
Diwali celebrations!
The Minister of Diversity, Inclusion, and Ethnic Communities Priyanca Radhakrishnan hosted a Diwali celebration at Parliament in late October, which about 200 people attended.
Dignitaries were welcomed with a tilaka and garlanding ceremony and lighting of the Diya. Applying tilak on the forehead of guests is an ancient Hindu custom. It is a sacred act, while Diya symbolises goodness and purity.
Your Voice!
“Clearly there is a need to create space for all ethnicities to have a voice and I think that’s really come through today. There are so many different people out there representing so many different cultures who are just crying out to say what they’ve got to say, so I think this conference has created space for that to happen. It’s amazing – we need more of it.”
Anton Matthews, Managing Director, Hustle Group
Commenting on Dunedin’s Ethnic Advantage Conference
Multi-lingual Resources
Language support when calling government services
If you are calling a government agency and you need language assistance, ask for an interpreter.
It is the government agency’s responsibility to make sure its services are accessible. This includes providing professional interpreters for free to the public when needed.
How to get an interpreter
1. Call the government agency.
2. Ask for an interpreter and tell the person on the phone the language you speak. You will need to ask in English, so practise saying the words ‘interpreter’ and the English name for your language before you call.
3. You will be asked to wait. Stay on the phone and do not hang up.
4. If available, a professional interpreter will join you to help you communicate with the agency. Government agencies may need to book interpreters in advance for less commonly spoken languages.
If you require an interpreter for a face-to-face or video conference meeting, email the agency beforehand to ensure an interpreter is available.
Many government agencies and councils can assist you with interpreting support. Find the full list at: Participating agencies | Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (mbie.govt.nz)
If you have questions or concerns about accessing government interpreting services, email us at info@ethniccommunities.govt.nz
Know more about Te Tiriti in in your language!
Tangata Tiriti – Treaty People has been working with ethnic communities to translate education resources about Te Tiriti into several languages.
Resources have been translated into Arabic, Korean, Spanish, Chinese and Russian – just to name a few. So far, the Te Tiriti o Waitangi in our language programme has translated documents into 14 languages, as well as English.
The Ministry is proud to support this resource, which is the first of its kind, and looks forward to seeing more resources translated over time.
Check out the Tangata Tiriti - Treaty People Facebook page for more information.
If you want to learn more about the programme or request translations in other languages, you can contact the team at: treatypeople@gmail.com.
Consumer guides on real estate in 7 languages
Many Government organisations are taking more steps towards a more inclusive New Zealand. One of the recent efforts is the launch of three refreshed consumer guides on the real estate transaction process, translated into seven languages: English, te reo Māori, Samoan, Tongan, Korean, Hindi and Simplified Chinese.
This work, by the settled.govt.nz, is part of their strategic focus to support and engage across NZ’s diverse communities, to help reduce barriers to participation in real estate transactions and to help improve the accessibility of consumer protection information about the real estate transaction for New Zealand’s diverse communities.
Copies of all the guides can be found here Resources | Settled.govt.nz
What's on?
Our first video of the new health video series is out!
We have worked hard to develop strong relationships with our communities and to understand the issues important to them. We appreciate communities taking time to share their experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic with us.
Building on the key takeaways and lessons learnt throughout that journey and listening to our communities' needs, we will continue our support in the priority area of health, expanding that to post-pandemic issues.
Starting this month, we’re releasing a new series of health videos endorsed by the Ministry of Health, providing information on various topics, from women and men’s health to immunisations and anti-viral medicines.
Watch the first video to learn about how the Ministry for Ethnic Communities and Ministry of Health partnered together during Covid-19 to protect our communities.
The videos will be translated into different languages and available on our website and social media channels. Follow us to make sure you stay up to date with all MEC news!
Auckland’s edition of our Ethnic Advantage conferences
Following the huge success of our Ethnic Advantage conferences in the South Island, we’re heading north with an Auckland edition in the second quarter of 2023.
If interested, keep an eye on our upcoming newsletter next March and our social media!
You can always get in touch at conferences@ethniccommunities.govt.nz
2023 Census
Census is all about having a complete picture of life in Aotearoa New Zealand. Our ethnic communities are an important, integral part of this picture.
2023 Census is the most inclusive census yet! Info and instructions will be available in 27 languages and alternate formats. Stats NZ will be offering language support through the freephone 0800 CENSUS helpline (open from 6 February).
Helpline staff will be able to speak 9 of New Zealand’s most commonly spoken languages. There will also be information about the census in 27 languages available at census.govt.nz, and printed on flyers. Currently only a few languages are available on the census website, and these will updated in the coming weeks.
The information collected is stored on a secure data storage server certified by the New Zealand Government.
Knowing more about you and your community means your needs can be better addressed.
Find out how Stats NZ keeps your information safe Privacy and safety | 2023 Census
Find out more about What is new about the 2023 Census | 2023 Census
Manawaka Ao – Women of colour network
Manawaka Ao is a women of colour network whose mission is to strengthen collaboration and authentic engagement of women across our ethnic communities, and with Tangata Whenua with Mana.
The group offers a range of programmes to raise women's awareness, capacity and capability. Te Tiriti and Me series, Noho ora wellbeing experiences, Governance and Leadership, He Taonga have just been a few of the programmes they have run this year.
Manawaka Ao also offers free counselling in collaboration with Kabayan Counselling.
Check out their website www.manawakaao.org.nz where you'll learn more about their story, how they were named, and more. And if you like their kaupapa, you can sign up to join their network. Benefits include having access to their members' chat space where you can connect with others, listing or finding meaningful work and a place to celebrate and share some of your skills, services and talents!
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
