The Minister for Ethnic Communities is the Government’s lead for supporting ethnic communities and working to maximise the benefits of diversity and inclusion for all people in New Zealand.
As Minister, you are a systems leader to spearhead and influence change
You set the portfolio priorities, focus and direction for advancing the interests of ethnic communities. Equally, you can set priorities, focus and direction to amplify the positive implications of ethnic diversity, while navigating some of the challenges.
You advocate and lead change across Government to ensure the needs of ethnic communities are reflected and addressed. Many outcomes for ethnic communities are shaped through policies, services and products led by other Ministerial portfolios. Your leadership and discussions with your Ministerial colleagues are instrumental in enabling better outcomes for ethnic communities. The significant portfolios include Economic Development, Health (including Mental Health), Arts, Culture and Heritage, Media and Communications, National Security and Intelligence, Māori Crown Relations: Te Arawhiti, Pacific Peoples, Women, Disabled People, Children and Youth. The Ministry will assist you in this role by providing advice on any critical portfolio issues raised in the wider agenda of the Government.
Ethnic diversity can present many opportunities such as better economic outcomes, increased productivity and innovation, and more dynamic social and cultural connections. New Zealand’s international brand as an inclusive country provides a competitive edge and is critical to our international reputation, our trade negotiations and geo-political standing.
According to Asia New Zealand Foundation’s 2022 Annual Survey, entitled “New Zealanders’ Perceptions of Asia and Asian Peoples”, New Zealanders are increasingly aware of the importance of Asia. Four in five people in New Zealand (80%) said that developing political, economic and social ties with Asia is important. This has increased from 73% in 2020 and substantially increased from the 2019 result when 3 in 5 people in New Zealand (67%) held this view.
We do not have comparative data for our other mandated ethnic groups – African, Middle Eastern, Latin African and Continental European. But according to the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) Community perceptions of migrants and immigration 2021 survey, the majority of New Zealanders (64%) hold positive views about migrants with 54% of New Zealanders believe migrants make their community a better place to live as they appreciate how migrants make our communities, and society as a whole, more culturally diverse.
New Zealanders’ perception of the importance of Asia’s sub-regions has increased across the board. Seventy-one percent of people in New Zealand said North Asia was important to New Zealand’s future. Forty-five percent rated Southeast Asia to be important to New Zealand’s future, up from 42% in 2020. South Asia is perceived to be important to New Zealand’s future by 40% of people in New Zealand, up from 37% in 2020. [Asia New Zealand Foundation 2022 Annual Survey, New Zealanders’ Perceptions of Asia and Asian Peoples. Pg13].
While there is greater awareness of Asia and its importance to New Zealand, there can also be challenges around participation in local civic life, managing diverse perspectives - including amongst ethnic people and forming mutual understanding on matters of common concern. These challenges and opportunities can have broader impacts on our society, economy, and culture in New Zealand.
Your leadership within the system can help achieve the full potential of ethnic people and unlock the benefits of ethnic diversity in Aotearoa New Zealand. The Ministry will support you to enable the fuller utilisation and enablement of skills, employment and entrepreneurial opportunities, cultural knowledge and connections, innovation, and social and cultural capital that ethnic communities bring.
As Minister, you may wish to focus on complementary actions
Key areas where you can make a difference include:
- Promoting a strong message of inclusion to all communities. Traditionally, this role has become important and highly The Parliamentary events you can host are a visible symbol of the inclusion of diverse ethnic people in our country by the Government. For this reason, our communities appreciate being invited to Parliament and having the opportunity to celebrate the diversity of our country. You will be regularly invited to a range of events hosted by communities and diplomatic missions. The Ministry can assist you with prioritising these invitations.
- Nominations. You may wish to nominate candidates for public sector boards and committees in response to requests from other Ministers. You may also wish to nominate ethnic people who have made substantial contributions to their communities for a New Year or King’s Birthday New Zealand Royal Honours. The Ministry can assist you in identifying suitable candidates and with the nominations paperwork for any candidates you may wish to nominate.
As Minister, you are the settlor of the Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust
The Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust (the Trust) is a statutory body. It was established in 2004 as a gesture of goodwill to the descendants of poll taxpayers in recognition of the hardship caused by the New Zealand Parliament’s decisions in the 1800s. The Department of Internal Affairs – Te Tari Taiwhenua (DIA) is responsible for administering the Trust. As Minister, and acting on behalf of the Government, you are the Settlor of the Trust and can appoint its eight members. You will receive a briefing from DIA on the process to appoint new Trust members in due course.
As Minister, you are responsible for Appropriations
As Minister, you are responsible for the expenditure within appropriations relevant to the portfolio.
The Ministry is funded through the Diversity, Inclusion and Ethnic Communities Appropriation which sits within Vote Internal Affairs. The funding consists of $14.9 million in departmental expenditure and $4.232 million in non-departmental expenditure.
Funding for the Diversity, Inclusion and Ethnic Communities portfolio is appropriated within Vote Internal Affairs. The Minister of Internal Affairs is the Vote Minister, and you are one of the Portfolio Ministers within that Vote. You will represent the Government at select committees as part of the annual scrutiny undertaken by Parliament. You will also present the Ministry’s Annual Report to the House. The Ministry will be supporting you in these procedures.