Representatives from Aotearoa New Zealand’s ethnic communities, tangata whenua, members of Parliament, public service leaders and other distinguished guests came together on 1 July to celebrate the launch of the Ministry for Ethnic Communities - Te Tari Mātāwaka. The event was hosted in Parliament by the Minister for Diversity, Inclusion and Ethnic Communities Hon Priyanca Radhakrishnan, and was attended by the new Ministry’s chief executive Mervin Singham.
In her speech, Minister Radhakrishnan spoke about the significance of the launch of the new Ministry for Ethnic Communities. She pointed out that this is the first time that ethnic communities in Aotearoa New Zealand will have a Ministry whose sole focus is lifting the well-being of our communities, with a Chief Executive who will sit at the top table, able to influence change across the public sector.
Mr Singham said the establishment of the Ministry is a strong signal that the government values diversity and the contributions made by ethnic communities to our country, and assured the audience that “we will be bridge builders between ethnic communities and the Government”.
Other speakers included Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (who couldn’t attend but recorded a video message especially for the occasion); the emcee for the event, journalist and speaker Jehan Casinader; and the winner of the 2021 Race Unity Speech Awards Lucia-Tui Bernards.
To see more photos from the event, please visit the new Ministry launch image gallery on our Facebook page.
The Ministry for Ethnic Communities is the Government’s chief adviser on ethnic communities, ethnic diversity and the inclusion of ethnic communities in wider society. The Ministry works towards the vision of a socially inclusive Aotearoa New Zealand, where ethnic communities are empowered to contribute their skills, culture and voice.