Migrant News Vol 15 No 3, 2022

w w w . m i g r a n t n e w s . n z I w w w . f a c e b o o k . c o m / w w w . m i g r a n t n e w s . n z I email: migrantnews@xtra.co.nz
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Ethnic ministry marks
momentous milestone
By Mel Fernandez
WELLINGTON – For
some time now ethnic communities,
who make up
nearly 20 percent of the
population, have been lobbying
for the establishment
of a Ministry for
Ethnic Communities that
could influence government
policy and improve
the wellbeing outcomes for
their communities.
Eventually, in December
2020 the government
committed to set up a ministry
as a response to the
recommendations of the
Royal Commission of
Inquiry into the terrorist
attack on a Christchurch
masjidain on 15 March
2019.
On 1st July last year the
ministry was up and running.
At a launch event for
community leaders in
Auckland Migrant News
spoke with guests about
their expectations of the
ministry.
Taz Mukorombindo,
Chair, NZ Business
Association (above): “I
think it is a momentous
occasion and one of the
world firsts as an ethnic
ministry, which is great.
“I have always advocated
business, business, business,
business. Yes, people
need jobs and a lot of
migrants are in business
and if we don’t put that on
• Promoting the value of diversity and
improving the inclusion of ethnic
communities in wider society
• Ensuring government services are
accessible for ethnic communities
• Improving economic outcomes for
ethnic communities, including
addressing barriers to employment
• Connecting and empowering ethnic
community group
the agenda it will leave a
big gap in the strategy and
values and mission of the
ministry. I can understand
that it might not be something
that the ministry
might see, but I see that
policy, advocacy, funding
and training are all
doables.”
Fairiah (above): “I think
that the launch of the
Ministry for Ethnic
Communities is is a timely
thing, because there are a
lot of us here in New
Zealand now and so far
we’ve not been fully represented.
So this gives the
government an opportunity
to hear our collective
voices.”
Satya Dutt, President
and Trustee, Hindi
Language and Culture
Trust of NZ: “It is important
to have this ministry
as we have over 200 languages
and 160 different
cultures here.
“So it is very important
to have a ministry that
looks at the interests of all
these organizations and
communities in order to
get connected with them.”
“The creation of the
Ministry means that ethnic
communities finally have a
Chief Executive whose sole
focus is representing their
concerns and aspirations
at the top tables of the public
service. This brings the
voices of these diverse
communities and their
lived experiences to the
fore of decision-making
processes,” says the
Minister for Diversity,
Inclusion and Ethnic
Communities Priyanca
Radhakrishnan.
“Led by Chief Executive
Mervin Singham, the
Ministry has focused on
areas that ethnic communities
told us were important.
These include
employment, government
services that are
responsive to the
needs of ethnic
communities,
financial support
for community
initiatives
and the response
to COVID-19.
“The Ministry
established a
Graduate
Programme that
has placed
skilled graduates
from ethnic communities
in policy roles across government
agencies. This has
provided them with a
meaningful first employment
opportunity and
enhanced diversity in policy
making and in the
design of government services.
“I am committed to
improving ethnic representation
on public sector
boards. The Ministry’s
Nominations Service maintains
a database of qualified,
ethnically diverse
people who are seeking an
appointment to a public
sector board.
“The Ministry is now
working with other partners
such as the Super
Diversity Institute and
Leadership NZ to expand
this pool of ethnic nominees
and to help us create a
sustainable pipeline of
diverse governance candidates
for appointment to
state sector boards.
“Following a substantial
increase in funding, in the
year to date, the Ethnic
Communities Development
Fund has disbursed
$4.2 million in support of
310 community projects
and initiatives that helped
celebrate different cultures
and strengthened social
cohesion.
“The Ministry’s work to
support the government’s
Minister for Diversity,
Inclusion and Ethnic
Communities Priyanca
Radhakrishnan
getting feedback from
community leaders.
(left): Oscar Batucan and Sheila Mariano - Filipino community leaders.
(right:) Guests at launch of Ministry for Ethnic Communities in Auckland.
response to COVID-19
included working with the
Ministry of Health to
implement a vaccine rollout
for and led by ethnic
communities. This included
supporting communities
with translated material,
running a series of community
hui and commissioning
a media campaign
in ten languages. In addition,
the Ministry administered
$4 million in funding
for community initiatives
to support efforts to
increase vaccination within
their communities.
“The Ministry has had a
successful first year and
this is just the beginning.
There is a lot more to do.
This Government wants to
create a more cohesive
Aotearoa New Zealand
where everyone feels safe,
valued, heard and can participate
fully,” says
Priyanca Radhakrishnan.
“The work of the
Ministry will help take us
there.”
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