The funding panel meet each month to:
- make recommendations on the disbursement of the funding across the financial year,
- consider Ethnic Communities Development Fund policy, the Ministries’ strategic priorities and the purpose and outcomes sought through distribution of the fund; and
- ensure ethical decision making and conflicts of interest in relation to funding allocation decisions are managed appropriately.
The current members are:
Dr Anwar Ghani
Dr. Anwar Ghani graduated with a Ph.D. in Soil Science and has had a distinguished career spanning over 24 years at AgResearch, where he served as a senior scientist and director of laboratories. His expertise encompasses soil science, microbiology, and environmental sciences. He has authored numerous research papers, earning recognition for his innovation and thought leadership. Dr. Ghani has been an invited speaker at various national and international conferences.
In addition to his scientific contributions, Dr. Ghani has played a significant leadership roles in the ethnic and Muslim communities of New Zealand. He served as the President of the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand for 12 years. His community leadership focused on uniting the Muslim communities of Aotearoa and fostering interfaith cohesion within New Zealand. He was appointed the inaugural chair of the Halal Advisory Council of New Zealand from 2010 to 2014 which was set up to regularise Halal standards meeting market access requirements of meat and dairy products. For his voluntary services to community in 2004, Dr Ghani was awarded with the title of Member of New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM).
He is a member of Institute of Directors New Zealand. Currently serve as a Director at Always Ethical Limited, AE KiwiSaver Limited, NZI Amanah Ethical Limited, and NZI Products and Services Limited. Dr. Ghani was appointed a Wing Patron of the NZ Royal College of Police in 2015 and has been a member of the NZ Police Commissioner’s Ethnic Advisory Board since 2014. Recently, he was appointed as a panel member of the Ministry for Ethnic Communities and Diversity.
Appointed: July 2024 until 30 June 2027.
Location: Waikato
Gender: Male
Dr Daniel Tulloch
Dr Daniel Tulloch is a chartered member of the Institute of Directors New Zealand and strategic advisor with a PhD in Finance and a postdoc from the University of Oxford. Daniel is known for his deep commitment to sustainable finance and the support of ethnic communities through strategic governance roles. Based in Wellington, Daniel's professional journey is marked by significant contributions to environmental sustainability, economic resilience, and social cohesion.
In his current roles, Daniel serves as a Director for various Ngāti Awa entities, where he manages post-settlement assets and maximises economic returns for the Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa. His work with the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority focuses on mobilise New Zealanders to be world leaders in clean and clever energy use. Additionally, Daniel's governance experience includes roles on the Lawyers & Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal and the Financial Advisors Disciplinary Committee, ensuring professional integrity and standards are upheld.
Daniel's commitment to community development is reflected in his advisory roles and leadership in initiatives that align with government priorities for ethnic diversity and inclusion. His active participation in community development programmes and advisory roles underscores his dedication to enhancing social cohesion and cultural preservation.
Beyond his professional achievements, Daniel's personal journey enriches his understanding and empathy towards the challenges faced by ethnic communities. Being of mixed descent (Jamaican, Irish, Maltese and Chinese), he brings a unique perspective to his roles. His engagement with cultural societies in Wellington and other community groups highlights his dedication to fostering inclusive growth and cultural celebration.
Appointed: July 2024 until 30 June 2027
Location: Wellington
Gender: Male
Ethnicity: Mixed heritage (Jamaican, Irish, Maltese, and Chinese)
Professor Edwina Pio (ONZM)
Invested with the King’s New Zealand Honours in 2023, with an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM), for services to ethnic communities, Emeritus Professor Edwina Pio is a woman of peace and prayer and a scholar of colour. As Aotearoa’s first Professor of Diversity, she is a passionate engaged ethnic minority woman and brings her unique gifts of engagement, networking, strategic thinking and world class research to teaching, research, governance and community engagements. Her robust independent views are articulated with gentle assertiveness braided with consensus decision making. These strong professional and personal qualities are enhanced through collaborations in Europe, Oceania, South Asia, UK and USA with her understanding and knowledge of Te Ao Maori. In 2024 she is a Visiting Academic at Oxford University UK, and a Visiting Professor (2024-2025) at the Turku Institute of Advanced Studies, Finland. She has numerous publications and several books to her credit, is widely quoted in the media and is internationally recognised for her keynotes on diversity.
A Fulbright alumna, recipient of the Duke of Edinburgh Fellowship, and the Te Rangi Hiroa Royal Society medal for her work on intersectional diversity, she is a thought leader and knowledgeable interpreter of diversity in society, religion, business, communities and education. She weaves the strands of fragile silences and illuminates stories, often not told by a range of stakeholders. Through her mana in bearing witness to difference, she creates inroads for ethnic and host society peoples through grace, kindness, sincerity and determination. In unsettling current boundaries, she ruptures glass, concrete and bamboo ceilings, to create a safe and inclusive Aotearoa (New Zealand) for all peoples in their myriad manifestations. With her emotional and intellectual skills, and a grateful heart, she serves as a responsible kaitaiaki and ancestor for current and future generations in our woven universe.
Appointed: July 2024 until 30 June 2027
Location: Auckland
Gender: Female
Ethnicity: Indo-Portuguese
Gurdeep Talwar (JP)
Gurdeep Talwar is an experienced management consultant, project manager, and leader with a diverse background in private enterprise, professional services, and the not-for-profit sector. Renowned for his dedication to ethnic communities, strategic insight, and problem-solving abilities, Gurdeep has made significant contributions to various boards and committees.
A highly regarded member of numerous non-profit boards and committees, Gurdeep is known for his pivotal work on a report highlighting the $64 billion annual economic contributions of New Zealand’s ethnic communities. This report has become a key reference for government bodies and agencies, garnering recognition at high-profile meetings and events.
Gurdeep serves on 10 regional, national, and international boards, committees, and panels. His community contributions have earned him numerous awards, reflecting his dedication to societal improvement. His leadership continues to inspire and guide professionals and leaders in Aotearoa New Zealand.
With extensive governance experience, Gurdeep is celebrated for his commitment to growth, advanced problem-solving skills, and strategic acumen. His dedication to empowering ethnic communities, fostering inclusivity, and ensuring optimal resource allocation underscores his journey toward a more inclusive and prosperous Aotearoa New Zealand. Gurdeep holds a commerce degree and a postgraduate qualification from a United Kingdom university.
Appointed: October 2023 to October 2026
Location: Auckland
Gender: Male
Ethnicity: Indian
Ogonna Nweke
Ogonna Nweke is a Nigerian-New Zealander raised and based in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
Aside from sitting on the ECDF Panel, Ogonna has served two terms as part of Auckland Council Demographic Advisory Panels on the youth and ethnic communities panels, co-chaired the youth advisory group of ProCare, and is a member of the Te Whatu Ora Northern consumer council. Within the community space, she is involved in governance at Trade Aid, a mentor at DearEM a youth project of HELP Auckland and Social Change Collective, where she leads the finance and impact portfolio.
With diverse career experiences working in community, management consulting, legal and advisory roles, she is passionate about highlighting diverse perspectives and youth voices and building better social cohesion. Ogonna graduated from the University of Auckland, where she studied Law, Politics and International Relations.
Appointed: July 2024 until 30 June 2027
Location: Auckland
Gender: Female
Ethnicity: Nigerian-New Zealander
Richard Leung
Richard Leung is the Chairman of the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Chinese Association and a past National President of the New Zealand Chinese Association, the oldest National Chinese organisation established in 1935.
Richard is passionate about engaging with the community and ensuring that Chinese New Zealanders are recognised in our ever-changing multicultural society. Richard has over 25 years of experience serving Chinese community organisations in Auckland and Wellington.
Richard is a past Trustee of the Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust- a trust established to administer the $5 million given by the New Zealand Government as part of the apology for the Poll Tax on the Chinese coming to New Zealand. He also served as a member of Kāpuia, the Ministerial Advisory Group on the Government’s Response to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the terrorist attack on Christchurch mosques.
He currently serves on the Auckland Lottery Grants committee, the Police Commissioners Ethnic Focus Forum, and various other Government advisory panels.
Professionally, Richard has worked in roles in hospitality, and manufacturing and has owned several small businesses, and has over 15 years of experience in trading with China.
Appointed: July 2024 until 30 June 2027
Location: Auckland
Gender: Male
Ethnicity: Chinese-New Zealander