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A MESSAGE FROM OUR DIRECTOR 2

WELCOME 3

SECTION 1: GROWING GREAT LEADERS 5

SECTION 2: LEADERSHIP IN BUSINESS 8

SECTION 3: SETTLING IN 12

SECTION 4: LANGUAGE AND INTERPRETATION 14

SECTION 5: CONFERENCES AND FORUMS 17

SECTION 6: RACE RELATIONS DAY 20

SECTION 7: PARLIAMENTARY EVENTS 21

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A MESSAGE FROM OUR DIRECTOR

One of our big challenges this year has been to build more robust connections between ethnic communities and encourage more intra-ethnic conversations. I’m pleased to report that more diverse groups of people attended our EthnicA conferences this year and engaged positively with our conference theme of leadership. We look forward to further expanding the diversity of our audience.

In my first year as Director, my focus has been on increasing the visibility of the positive economic benefits that ethnic diversity brings to New Zealand. The Office has made a concerted effort to connect ethnic and mainstream businesses to maximise New Zealand’s potential for economic growth, which has seen partnerships with organisations such as ExportNZ and the Employers and Manufacturers Association. We collaborated with these two key organisations on a very successful EPIC NZ Global International Business Forum in May, which attracted more than 400 participants. Along with increasing connectivity within the New Zealand business community, the conference also expanded our understanding of the cultural differences that can hinder domestic exporters from succeeding offshore.

Leadership has also been on Ethnic Affairs’ radar in terms of growing the future generation of leaders, specifically of ethnic women and youth and within a Public Service context. Last year, Iain Rennie, the State Services Commissioner, asked the Public Service to take a more innovative approach to succession planning. As a new leader, I am keen to expand this largely untapped pool of ethnic women and young people and to increase their visibility as our future leaders.

I look forward to focusing on these challenges in the coming year and to furthering the leadership capability and development both of Ethnic Affairs and of New Zealand’s ethnic people.

Berlinda ChinDirectorThe Office of Ethnic Affairs

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WELCOME

“It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory, when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership.”  

Nelson Mandela

Growing great leaders has been central to the Office of Ethnic Affairs in 2013-2014.

Not only has leadership played a key role in our flagship national EthnicA conferences, we have also undertaken a major programme of work to grow and support leaders in three key sectors – youth, women and ethnic communities.

This booklet highlights the work and achievements of the Office of Ethnic Affairs in 2013-2014. It is divided into seven key areas:

1 Growing great leaders We focus on strategies to unlock the potential of ethnic women and youth. This

includes our Ethnic Women’s Leadership Development Programme, as well as our Young Leaders Programme and Ethnic Leaders Forums.

2 Leadership in business We provide networking platforms that connect New Zealand’s ethnic and

mainstream businesses. These include our successful EPIC NZ conferences and partnerships with organisations such as ExportNZ and the Employers and Manufacturers Association.

3 Settling in We now provide the Settling In programme which transferred from the Ministry

of Social Development to the Office of Ethnic Affairs on 1 April 2014. Settling In is focused on helping refugees and migrants settle well and contribute to the social, economic, civic and cultural aspects of New Zealand.

4 Language and interpretation Our telephone interpreting service, Language Line, is now used by more than

100 government agencies. This year we focused on expansion into the private sector, which will make it easier for migrants to do business in New Zealand.

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WELCOME CONTINUED

5 Conferences and forums We take the lead in several flagship conferences and forums, including

the four EthnicA conferences we host around New Zealand and the Muslim World Forum.

6 Race Relations Day We host community events in both Auckland and Wellington to

celebrate Race Relations Day.

7 Parliamentary events These events, hosted by the Minister for Ethnic Affairs, celebrate

significant festivals of our larger ethnic community groups, acknowledging their contribution to New Zealand society.

We welcome your feedback

Please contact us if you have any questions or comments (see the back page for contact details). Together, we will help New Zealand society grow stronger and more prosperous.

The Office of Ethnic Affairs works to promote the benefits of ethnic diversity for every New Zealander. We aim to provide the highest quality advice on ethnic diversity issues.

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SECTION 1: GROWING GREAT LEADERS

Census data released in early 2014 confirmed what has been evident for many years: that New Zealand’s population is becoming increasingly diverse, with 25 per cent of those who call New Zealand home having being born overseas.

If New Zealand is to truly benefit from this diversity, including the now recognised ‘hyper diversity’ in our largest city of Auckland, then we need to ensure that ethnic people are able to take their full place as leaders in all aspects of New Zealand public life.

The Office of Ethnic Affairs has continued to support ethnic people in their leadership journeys with a number of key programmes:

Ethnic Women’s Leadership Development

According to the 2013 Census, the most rapidly growing sectors in New Zealand are Asian and Māori women. New Zealand cannot maximise the benefits of its ethnic diversity without unlocking the leadership potential of these and other ethnic women.

The Office of Ethnic Affairs has been working with ethnic women leaders as part of an ongoing programme to build leadership capability and capacity. The Ethnic Women’s Leadership Training Programme delivers unique tailored sessions for ethnic women and encourages ethnic women to be influential and effective decision-makers in their communities and wider society.

Enjoying the Ethnic Women’s Leadership forum (from left to right) Nga Dang, Baljinder Devgun, Dr Pushpa Wood and Pele Walker.

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Wellington and Christchurch Ethnic Women’s Leadership Programme

In November 2013, 14 women from 12 ethnic groups took part in a two-day intensive training programme. The programme was repeated in Christchurch in May 2014 with 16 participants.

The programme components ranged from aspects of leadership and governance, diversity management and media responsiveness through to consideration of civic participation. The attendees indicated in their evaluations that the training provided them with an expanded vision for their careers and lives. They appreciated the value of the training for its networking opportunities, peer support and increase in self-confidence.

As graduates from these programmes increase in numbers and confidence, the Office will continue to facilitate networking opportunities and to challenge these, and other ethnic women, to take more active leadership roles wherever they can find opportunities to do so.

The insights gained from the successful development and delivery of these female leadership programmes, along with our previous work with ethnic women entrepreneurs, have been collated in an article for the International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business. Called The Making of Ethnic Migrant Women Entrepreneurs in New Zealand, the article describes migrant women’s pathways to entrepreneurship in New Zealand and the challenges they face. It also discusses the various ethnic and cultural resources they use to overcome these challenges.

Attendees at the Wellington Ethnic Women’s Leadership training session

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Young Leaders Programme

Following the success of the 2012-13 Auckland pilot programme, the 2014 National Young Leaders Programme was launched in March with 56 outstanding young participants (aged 16-24) from Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch.

The aim of the programme is to provide participants with insights and inspiration to encourage them to pursue a career in the government sector.

Participants from each centre take part in a range of activities based on:• highperformanceleadership• themachineryofgovernment• projectmanagementanddelivery• diversitytraining• workingwiththemedia.

The programme also delivers work-placement experience in government departments and offers numerous opportunities for networking and relationship building. It runs until November 2014.Our young leaders attending EthnicA

Auckland 2014

Ethnic Leaders Forums

Ethnic Leaders Forums are a relatively new addition to the suite of leadership opportunities delivered by Ethnic Affairs. They were developed as a post-quake response in Christchurch to bring ethnic leaders together to examine and respond to the needs of ethnic communities in a positive and collaborative way.

The Forums have identified a number of issues and are developing into a more strategic platform for engagement between senior ethnic leaders and Ethnic Affairs.

Ethnic Leaders Forum in Christchurch gets underway

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SECTION 2: LEADERSHIP IN BUSINESS

Working with Ethnic Diversity: Maximising New Zealand’s Economic Potential

The new booklet Working with ethnic diversity: Maximising New Zealand’s economic potential was produced by the Office of Ethnic Affairs to showcase the variety of initiatives that are delivered to support workplaces and organisations in New Zealand.

It includes interviews with key people who have worked with Ethnic Affairs on programmes such as the EPIC NZ programme, Ethnic Diversity Management and Connecting the Regions.

It is available in hardcopy by emailing ethnic.affairs@dia.govt.nz or online at http://ethnicaffairs.govt.nz/story/ethnic-diversity-workplace .

Website New Zealand’s ethnic communities offer huge opportunities for our economy, providing a rich source of experience, skills and overseas connections.

The EPIC NZ website hosts a database, which enables members to search for, and communicate with, potential business partners. At the end of the 2013-14 financial year it had grown to 530 registered members who made around 750 connections. A wide variety of ethnicities are reflected in the database, as well as business people from a range of sectors.

PartnershipIn 2014, the Office of Ethnic Affairs partnered with ExportNZ and the Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA) to combine efforts to bring together mainstream and ethnic business leaders to maximise New Zealand’s potential for economic growth. Together, the three organisations worked to deliver an internationally-focused business conference with the theme of Business Beyond Borders.

EMA is a founding member of BusinessNZ, New Zealand’s largest business advocacy body, which is committed to championing a production, export-oriented, competitive business environment in which enterprise can thrive.

ExportNZ provides knowledge, information, contacts, training, support and services to help New Zealand businesses engage in exporting and growing internationally.

EPIC NZ Programme

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Thisyear,forthefirsttime,BNZjoinedtheOfficeofEthnicAffairsandExportNZ partnership as a principal sponsor. Other conference sponsors included Callaghan Innovation, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, EverEdge IP and Air New Zealand.

Butch Bradley, Manager Operations and Regions NZ Māori Tourism, shares his experience at EPIC NZ Blender in Wellington

Blender ThefirstjointeventwithExportNZandEMAwastheinauguralEPICNZGo Global Blender business-networking event in Auckland. The Blender networking event is all about bringing together different groups and networks of people and creating business opportunities, connections, and innovation through diversity.

On 9 April, approximately 80 EPIC NZ and ExportNZ network members came together to hear from keynote speaker Malcolm Rands, CEO of ecostore, and MC Simon Shepherd, TV3 reporter.

A second EPIC NZ Blender networking event was held in Wellington on 4 June in collaboration with BNZ. The event attracted 60 participants from ethnic, Māori and mainstream business backgrounds including business sector support agencies.

The Ambassador of Brazil also attended and keynote speakers included Butch Bradley (New Zealand Māori Tourism) and Steven Renata (Kiwa Digital).

The focus of the event was to highlight the potential of increased collaboration between Māori and ethnic business people in particular, and to feature current success stories.

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SECTION 2: LEADERSHIP IN BUSINESS CONTINUED

EPIC NZ Go Global International Business ForumOn2May,ajointEPICNZGoGlobalInternationalBusinessForumwasheld in Auckland. The full day programme featured around 55 speakers and attracted more than 400 participants from the EPIC NZ network, the ExportNZ and EMA memberships, as well as the general public.

Key speakers included:• DerekHandley,FoundingCEOandnowEntrepreneurinResidenceof

The B Team and Chair of Snakk Media• PhillipMills,CEOLesMillsInternational• DannyChan,DeputyChairofAcademicCollegesGroupandChairof

FlowerZone Turners Limited.

The conference was a fantastic networking and learning opportunity for all involved, and increased connectivity within New Zealand business communities. It also increased understanding of the cultural differences that can hinder New Zealand exporters from succeeding offshore.

Susan Wood, master of ceremonies at the EPIC NZ Go Global International Business Forum in Auckland

EPIC NZ Conference, WellingtonThe EPIC NZ conference was held in Wellington on 26 June and attracted more than 150 participants. The emphasis shifted to more of a networking programme this year.

The conference theme was ‘engaging the untapped potential that ethnic businesses can add to New Zealand’s global connections’. New Zealand companies which operate in a ‘small but global’ way shared their success stories.

Speakers discussed the ways in which networks and connections can provide growth opportunities for small and medium sized enterprises in New Zealand, including franchising and angel and crowd-funded investment. Speakers included Nathan Li (Educa), Nick Churchouse (Creative HQ) and Chris Teeling (Xero).

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Connecting the Regions – Otago

Connecting the Regions is aimed at forging strong economic working relationships and partnerships by connecting New Zealand-based ethnic investors and their networks to regional opportunities they might otherwise be unaware of.

In November 2013, Ethnic Affairs facilitated a Connecting the Regions investment delegation to the Otago region in partnership with Economic Development Agencies New Zealand (EDANZ) and Dunedin City Council. Four Auckland-based delegates from Hong Kong, China, Vietnam and Malaysia met with local authorities and businesses in Dunedin to learn more about investment opportunities in the region.

The delegates represented their own investment portfolios as well as wider networks, companies and offshore interests.

Ethnic Diversity Management

The Intercultural Awareness and Communications programme continued to grow with more than 20 organisations actively delivering our ethnic diversity programme around New Zealand. To date, more than 1650 participants have received the training.

In 2014, Ethnic Affairs launched an online networking group using LinkedIn for our trainers and diversity champions around the country. We created a platform through which the community can communicate, network and share information.

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Delegates meeting local businesses to learn more about investment opportunities

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SECTION 3: SETTLING IN

Settling In was established in 2003 by the Ministry of Social Development. It was introduced in response to increasing ethnic diversity within New Zealand and a growing awareness that intervention was required to maximise settlement outcomes for refugee and migrant groups.

The programme provides funding and support for those who work directly with refugee and migrant communities to help them find solutions to meet their own needs. The broader vision of Settling In is to contribute to a New Zealand that welcomes and celebrates diversity, where refugees and migrants settle well and are able to contribute to our nation in all aspects of life - social, economic, civic and cultural.

In March, the Minister for Ethnic Affairs, Hon Judith Collins, and the Minister forSocialDevelopment,HonPaulaBennett,jointlyannouncedthattheprogramme would be transferred from the Ministry of Social Development to the Office of Ethnic Affairs (part of the Department of Internal Affairs).

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The move has been a positive one. We work closely with refugee and migrant community groups to support them with the tools, connections and knowledge to thrive in New Zealand.

The Department of Internal Affairs also has considerable expertise in administering a range of grant schemes. Incorporating Settling In into Ethnic Affairs means a closer sharing of this capability and a more effective targeting of services.

Settling In distributes up to $520,000 in grants every year. This funding was temporarily increased to approximately $1 million per year from 2010/11 - 2012/13 but from 2013/14 has reverted to $520,000 per year. About 28 grants are made each year, most of which have supported coordinator positions working with refugee and migrant communities.

There are no plans to make significant changes to Settling In during 2014/15. Funding criteria and the amount available will remain the same. However, we have started a review of the grants administration of Settling In to ensure alignment with the Department’s grant-making best practice. A 2014/15 funding round has been held between 21 July and 29 August 2014.

Over the coming months Ethnic Affairs will examine Settling In to ensure the programme is providing resources where they are most needed and where they will have the highest impact. We will be talking with representatives from refugee and migrant communities and other key stakeholders to help with this.

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SECTION 4: LANGUAGE AND INTERPRETATION

Private Sector now eligible to use Language Line

Getting the green light to move into the private sector was an exciting new development for our telephone interpreting service, Language Line, this year. When the Minister, Hon Judith Collins, announced this initiative, she said expanding Language Line to the private sector would make it easier for new migrants to do business in New Zealand. She added that ethnic businesses have a tremendous contribution to make for our future prosperity.

Well over 100 agencies already participate in Language Line (www.languageline.govt.nz). Among them are non-government organisations such as the Human Rights Commission, Victim Support and counsellors for those affected by family violence.

Now those in the wider finance sector can play their part in making it easier for new migrants to integrate quickly and successfully into New Zealand by accessing information in their native language.

Policy Input We have met a demand for information about languages in New Zealand by creating new web pages that focus on language use and language learning.

Under the heading, Our Languages, these web pages are based on the New Zealand census and administrative data from government departments. We will continue to update these pages, particularly as further information from Census 2013 is released by Statistics NZ.

Our Languages can be found at http://bit.ly/ourlanguages

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Our Languages also contains a comprehensive report by the Office of Ethnic Affairs on Language and Integration in New Zealand.

This report contributes to our understanding of the impact that the language skills of migrants have on their ability to participate in and contribute to, New Zealand society. It contains evidence about two key issues that are important for migrants who do not speak English as their first language:• therelationshipbetweenEnglishlanguageabilityandsocio-economic

success in New Zealand• therelationshipbetweenacquiringproficiencyinEnglishand

retaining heritage languages.

The report can be viewed at http://ethnicaffairs.govt.nz/story/language-information-and-advice

Race Unity Youth Speech Award

SeveralpeoplefromtheOfficeofEthnicAffairscontributedtothejudgingof nationwide heats and the Auckland final of the annual Race Unity Youth Speech competition.

Students were asked how they relate to race relations in New Zealand by interpreting a traditional Māori proverb and a quotation on unity. Students talked about themes such as appreciating cultural differences and growing together as a country. They also commented on whether the Treaty of Waitangi can help all New Zealanders have a sense of belonging and connectedness.

The winner was Thai An Vo, from Auckland International College, who impressedthechiefjudge,PoliceSuperintendentWallaceHaumaha,anda panel including Race Relations Commissioner, Dame Susan Devoy, and Director of the Office of Ethnic Affairs, Berlinda Chin.

“A racial friendly Aotearoa is made up of countless racial friendly relationships like mine, like yours, like ours, and there are no other shortcuts. He rau ringa e oti ai. With many hands, the work will be done,” said Mr Vo in his winning speech.

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SECTION 4: LANGUAGE AND INTERPRETATION CONTINUED

Language Line presentations at conferences in Canada and the United States

Diana Clark, Manager of Language Line, made presentations at two international interpreting conferences during the year: • 4thannualInterpretAmericaSummit,inVirginiaUSAfrom

14–15 June 2013• CriticalLink7InternationalConference,heldafewdayslater

(17–21 June 2013) in Toronto, Canada.

A common finding of these conferences was that the rapid development of the sector and a global shortage of qualified interpreters were two of the issues being experienced worldwide. It was also an opportunity to stay abreast of, and share, experiences in professional areas such as ethics and professionalism. Conference participants also focused on technologicaladvancesandthegrowingneedsofthehealthandjusticesectors.

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(Left to right) Yvonne Fowler of Aston University, Birmingham (UK), Dr Ineke Crezee of AUT, Auckland, and Diana Clark, Manager of Language Line, at the Critical Link 7 International Conference in Toronto, Canada

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SECTION 5: CONFERENCES AND FORUMS

Muslim World Forum

The Muslim World Forum held in Auckland in November provided a robust platform for public discussion on a variety of issues that impact and affect Muslims in New Zealand. With an initial focus on social cohesion, government responsiveness and economic transformation, the event became a broader conversation that illustrated the interconnectedness of this community with the rest of the country. More than 120 attendees enthusiastically took up the challenge to be part of the discussion.

The Forum was the culmination of seven years’ work by the Office of Ethnic Affairs, which collaborated with Muslim community leaders through the Building Bridges programme. The Forum enabled all parties to look back at how far we have come and to envision our future together.

Also launched at the Forum was the revised booklet, Building Bridges, which contains a snapshot of the conversations that are central to the programme, including social cohesion, government responsiveness to ethnic communities and economic transformation. The booklet also highlights issues and signposts opportunities for further work with these communities.

Attendees at the Muslim World Forum

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Building Bridges – Christchurch

Alongside the national programme of work with Muslim community leaders, Ethnic Affairs pursued an opportunity to work at a more grass-roots level by collaborating with the Canterbury Muslim Building Bridges Group.

The group recently presented the findings of its 2014 focus group report to regional agencies. Future work programmes will likely target more consistent efforts to build connections between government agencies with prisons, hospitals, psychological support services, family violence and banking as key priorities.

EthnicA conferences

Now well established as an event for the Office of Ethnic Affairs, the four regional conferences held during April and May in Hamilton, Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland attracted large numbers of interested and enthusiastic stakeholders.

The theme for this year was Growing a Stronger New Zealand – chosen to highlight the critical role that leaders in ethnic communities will play in shaping the New Zealand of tomorrow. As New Zealand society changes and becomes more diverse, we expect the leadership of our public, private and community organisations to also change and become more diverse.

Athurua Kulkami, youth leader presenting PechaKucha style at EthnicA Auckland 2014.

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Conference speakers examined the particular challenges that ethnic peoplefaceintheirleadershipjourney–inparticulartherolethatcultureandheritageplayinthatjourney.

Robert Peden, Chief Electoral Officer and Chief Executive of the Electoral Commission, challenged attendees to ensure that they, their families and their communities were prepared to take part in the 2014 General Election. The falling participation rate of young people voting was also noted.

Young people had a special part to play in this year’s EthnicA conferences – as volunteers, social media champions and survey administrators, as well as presenters.

Using the international 20x20 PechaKucha format, where a speaker has 20 slides and 20 seconds per slide to share their ideas, three or four young ethnic New Zealanders at each conference were challenged to describe what New Zealand will look like when ethnic people take their full place in all aspects of national and community life. They also described what today’s ethnic leaders could, and should, be doing to enable that vision. Exciting stuff – and very energetic performances!

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Advising and contributing to a national exhibition

In 2013 the Office of Ethnic Affairs provided advice to the exhibition Tirohia Mai / Look at us Now: Women in Aotearoa New Zealand at the National Library. From June to November 2013, the exhibition showcased the diverse strands of the lives of women in New Zealand throughout history.

Of particular note was a panel discussion featuring Dr Pushpa Wood and Sudha Thomas from India, Annie Coates from Myanmar, Elizabeth Chan, a New Zealand-born Chinese woman and Anna Guenther, who has US and New Zealand ancestry. They shared insights about:• developingtheircareersinNewZealand• bringingupfamiliesinaforeignland• buildingcapacityfortheircommunities• activelyplayingaroleinmakingadifferenceinNewZealandsociety.

This event demonstrated the efforts made by the Office of Ethnic Affairs to raise awareness of cultural and ethnic diversity in New Zealand.

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SECTION 6: RACE RELATIONS DAY

Auckland As part of the celebrations for Race Relations Day 2014, the Office of Ethnic Affairs held a Community of Practice Forum for the trainers and champions working with the Intercultural Awareness and Communications (IAC) programme.

This programme, initiated by Ethnic Affairs, works to build intercultural skills and competencies in the workplace. It explores how culture impacts on behaviour and provides tools and methods for communicating effectively across cultures.

More than 30 members of the IAC trainer network attended the Forum and met face-to-face for the first time. They shared their experiences and lessons and discussed ways of working together more closely in the future.

Wellington The Office of Ethnic Affairs continued its theme of showcasing the arts to celebrate Race Relations Day in Wellington. This year a group of student actors from Toi Whakaari New Zealand Drama School narrated famous speeches from those who made a difference to race relations. These included iconic New Zealanders such as Sir Robert Muldoon and Brian Tamaki, as well as international figures such as Albert Einstein and John Cage.

A large group of diplomats and senior public servants gathered for the occasion in the new foyer of the National Library Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa.

Audience participation was key at the Race Relations Celebration in Wellington. Here actor Jayden Daniels involves audience member, Roger Steele.

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SECTION 7: PARLIAMENTARY EVENTS

As in previous years the Minister for Ethnic Affairs hosted several parliamentary events in recognition and celebration of the rich diversity of New Zealand society.

Eid ul Fitr – August 2013

Eid ul Fitr was celebrated at Parliament on 20 August 2013 and was hosted by the Minister for Ethnic Affairs, Hon Judith Collins. Among the 150 guests were Muslim community leaders from around New Zealand, interfaith leaders and community members and leaders from many ethnic groups.

Traditionally the celebration of Eid ul Fitr marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Proceedings started with a recitation from the Holy Koran followed by speeches from the Minister, the Prime Minister Rt Hon John Key, and Dr Anwar Ghani, the President of the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand.

In recognition of the diversity evident within the Muslim world the celebration also featured displays of books, paintings and photographs of Islamic Art and architecture. Other cultural artefacts were supplied by the embassies of Egypt and Turkey, as well as the High Commissions of Pakistan and Malaysia.

Islamic Calligraphy from the Islamic Art display

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Diwali – November 2013

The Banquet Hall in Wellington’s Beehive was transformed to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights. As they walked into the hall guests stopped to appreciate the intricate rangoli, a folk art form created from rice powder and abir, a type of dry coloured powder used during the Holi festival of colours.

To launch the celebrations, the Prime Minister and Minister for Ethnic Affairs were invited to participate in the lighting of the diya, a symbolic lamp that signifies the victory of light over darkness.

Music and dance are intrinsic to many Indian festivals and religious events. This included a South Indian dance performance, Bharata Natyam, as well as other musical performances by young Indian New Zealanders.

The Prime Minister John Key joins others to celebrate Diwali

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Chinese New Year – February 2014

To celebrate the Year of the Horse the Minister for Ethnic Affairs, Hon Judith Collins, hosted a parliamentary reception for 180 guests including community leaders, members of the diplomatic corps and the media. With an increasing number of New Zealanders identifying with Asian ethnicities, the Chinese New Year (also known as Lunar New Year) festival is an important occasion.

During the event the Minister noted that the parliamentary celebration was one of the many ways in which the New Zealand Government can recognise the contribution that Asian New Zealanders are making in our communities, businesses and professions.

The event was also attended by the Prime Minister and the Chinese Ambassador to New Zealand, His Excellency Mr Wang Lutong, both of whom spoke of the strengthening relationship between the two countries.

Musicians at the Chinese New Year Celebration

Africa Day – May 2014

Following the positive response to the first Africa Day celebration held in 2013, the Minister for Ethnic Affairs once again responded to the community request to host a parliamentary celebration in recognition of Africa’s independence, unity and freedom. To the backdrop of stirring African drums, the 50 guests were addressed by the Minister and Kizito Essuman, President of the African Communities Forum Incorporated.

Audience enjoying the Africa Day celebration

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Published in 2014 by the Office of Ethnic Affairs46 Waring Taylor StreetWellingtonNew Zealand

All rights reserved. For all enquiries, contact the publisher.Copyright The Office of Ethnic Affairs 2014ISBN 978-0-478-35583-3

Phone: +64 4 494 0546Email: ethnic.affairs@dia.govt.nzWebsite: www.ethnicaffairs.govt.nz