New Office of Ethnic Affairs
The new Office of Ethnic Affairs, which operates inside the Department of Internal Affairs, focuses on groups other than Maori or Pacific peoples. Its goal is to help ethnic people play a full part in NZ's social, cultural and economic life, and its aims include:
- ensuring that an ethnic perspective is taken into account when policy or services are being developed;
- advising other Government departments about ethnic groups' concerns; and
- providing an information and referral service for people in ethnic communities.
According to the 1996 Census, more than 50 ethnic groups comprise about 8% of NZ's resident population. Over 200 ethnic identities were represented, although only 28 had more than 4000 members each. This year's Census is likely to show an even greater percentage of ethnic peoples.
Ethnic groups may be identified by race, religion, language or traditional beliefs, as well as by national or geographic origins. The Federation of Ethnic Councils has defined the term "ethnic" (matawaka in Maori) as: "pertaining to or relating to any segment of the population within NZ society sharing fundamental cultural values, customs, beliefs, languages, traditions and characteristics that are different from those of the larger society."
Ethnic groups have many different concerns, including language and employment, and have long sought professional interpreters for things such as legal or health matters. Employment is seen as a very important issue for ethnic people because employment drives physical and mental well being and, with work, people can get better housing and are able to participate more in society.
More research is needed to provide hard data, rather than anecdotes, so the extent of various settlement and longer term issues can be measured. Government agencies are becoming aware of the need to collect better ethnicity data, including information on length of residence in NZ or whether NZ born. Such information is essential to make sure that all peoples have equal access to services.
Staffing
In Wellington there are 1« policy advisors, a community advisor, a Director, and an Executive Assistant. In Auckland there are two community advisors. The community advisors work with ethnic communities to find out what their needs and concerns are. In turn, the policy advisors liase with the community advisors over policy issues on which feedback from the community is needed. Community advisors are also able to refer ethnic groups to service providers or to other policy agencies who are developing policies of interest to ethnic groups.
The Office of Ethnic Affairs intends to work closely with other areas of the Department of Internal Affairs (the Translation Service, Community Development, Identity Services including Citizenship, and the Lottery Grants Board are especially relevant to ethnic needs). DIA staff in other areas can provide help as needed.
| For more information visit the Ethnic Affairs web site link from www.dia.govt.nz (on the site, for example, is a guide to using interpreting services) |
Contact for Enquiries
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Pastoral House
25 The Terrace
PO Box 2526, Wellington
Tel: 0800 00 83 33
Fax: +64 4 894 0720
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