A strong community turnout
More than 150 leaders and representatives of New Zealand’s vibrant Ethnic Communities gathered in Auckland on Saturday, 5 April, for an interactive engagement with Hon Mark Mitchell, Minister for Ethnic Communities.
Organised by the Ministry in Auckland, the event provided an opportunity for attendees to connect with and hear directly from the Minister about his vision, priorities, and commitment to fostering inclusive, safe, and resilient communities.
Our Deputy Chief Executive, Malcolm Foo, opened the event acknowledging the participants who joined us and shared their time on a Saturday morning.
“We are delighted to see all of you here for this important address. You come from Whangarei all the way to Invercargill, and many of you are based right here in Auckland.
“You represent New Zealand’s superdiversity, including Africans, Bangladeshis, Cambodians, Chinese, Filipinos, Indians, Koreans, Latin Americans, Middle Easterners, Pakistanis, Vietnamese, and many more… all of whom now call New Zealand home,” said Malcolm.
Opening his address, Minister Mitchell acknowledged the incredible diversity that defines modern New Zealand and expressed deep gratitude for the ongoing contributions of Ethnic Communities across the country.
“Your dedication and insights continue to strengthen the fabric of our nation,” he said. “It’s a privilege to serve as your Minister. I am committed to championing your aspirations, listening to your concerns, and supporting the work you do to make Aotearoa a better place.”
Minister Mitchell’s four key priorities for the Ethnic Communities portfolio
In his speech, the Minister outlined his four key focus areas for the Ethnic Communities portfolio:
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Economic Growth
The Minister emphasised that economic growth is central to improving the quality of life and unlocking opportunities for all New Zealanders, including Ethnic Communities.
“Ethnic communities already contribute enormously to our economy—over $64 billion in 2021,” he said. “But we know there are barriers that need to be addressed.”
To support ethnic businesses, the Government is simplifying the Overseas Investment Act, streamlining visa rules for investors, and establishing Invest New Zealand as a one-stop-shop to attract foreign capital.
“I saw firsthand during my recent trip to India the strength of our international relationships. We’re committed to making it easier for ethnic businesses to grow and succeed,” he added.
- Security and Resilience
Acknowledging the concerning impact of foreign interference, Minister Mitchell made it clear that the Government does not tolerate threats to the rights and freedoms of any New Zealander.
“Some in our communities are experiencing pressure from foreign states. That is unacceptable,” he said.
He announced the release of a suite of multilingual resources, available in 24 languages, designed to help communities understand their rights, protect themselves online, and report suspicious activity.
Explore the resources our Ministry created to support the security and resilience of our communities.
- Emergency Management
Minister Mitchell praised Ethnic Communities for often being among the “first to step up” during emergencies.
However, he acknowledged gaps in past responses, particularly with delays in translating emergency messages to different languages, and said progress is being made.
“The Get Ready website now provides information in 14 languages, and NEMA is close to finalising new resources that can be distributed immediately during an emergency.”
Participants thanked the Ministry for its continuous support and dialogue with Ethnic Service Providers, especially during crises and natural disasters like Cyclone Gabrielle and the Auckland floods.
- Social Cohesion
As New Zealand becomes increasingly diverse, the Minister stressed the importance of building an inclusive, unified society.
“With Ethnic Communities expected to make up one-third of our population in the next 20 years, it is essential that we foster a sense of belonging,” he said.
He addressed growing concerns around Islamophobia, antisemitism, and tensions linked to overseas conflicts. “We must ensure that international divisions do not spill into our communities here,” he said.
The Ministry is continuing to support initiatives that build trust, strengthen relationships, and promote social harmony through funding, engagement, and partnerships.
Interactive Q&A sparks insightful conversations
The engagement ended with a robust Q&A session moderated by Malcolm Foo, giving attendees the chance to raise concerns directly with the Minister.
Participants discussed language barriers, the need for greater representation of rural and marginalised communities, mental health, refugee support, and continued funding through the Ethnic Communities Development Fund (ECDF).
Minister Mitchell was open and candid in his responses, reaffirming his guiding principle of “equity in opportunity.”
“My job is to promote and advance Ethnic Communities at a central government level,” he said. “But it’s up to all leaders to work together to ensure people have equal opportunities.”
One participant asked whether the Ministry would do more to consistently engage communities and share their stories.
“I agree we have to find ways to make our Ethnic Communities and their contributions more visible,” said the Minister.
The Q&A session ended with one last question about how the Ministry reaches out to less visible communities. Malcolm Foo responded with an update on the Ministry’s new way of working, including a new programme of outreach to the regions – the “Regional Initiative for Ethnic Communities Empowerment (RIECE), and welcomed participants to inform the Ministry of new, remote and emerging Ethnic Communities.
The Minister concluded by thanking everyone. He said the engagement had been “very special” to him.
We sincerely thank everyone who joined us, especially those who travelled from across New Zealand to be part of this important kōrero. Your voices and experiences are vital to shaping a better, more inclusive New Zealand.
Stay tuned as we share more highlights, photos, and videos from the event in the coming days.
See RNZ's story on the engagement.
Read the Minister’s full speech on the Beehive website.
View our Facebook album for key moments of the event.
