Ministry for Ethnic Communities

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Ministry for Ethnic Communities
Māori: Te Tari Mātāwaka
Agency overview
Formed1 July 2021; 2 years ago (1 July 2021)
JurisdictionNew Zealand
HeadquartersGrant Thornton Building,
215 Lambton Quay,
Wellington 6011
Employees84 FTE staff
(30 September 2022)[1]
Minister responsible
Agency executive
  • Mervin Singham, Chief Executive
Websitewww.ethniccommunities.govt.nz Edit this at Wikidata

The Ministry for Ethnic Communities (Māori: Te Tari Mātāwaka) is an advisory agency to the government on ethnic diversity and inclusion in New Zealand society. The agency provides information, advice and services to ethnic communities, and gives out funds to support community development and social cohesion.

Function[edit]

Overview[edit]

The government decided to form the Ministry on 2 December 2020 and formally came into existence on 1 July 2021. The origins of the Ministry stem from the Office of Ethnic Affairs, which was established as one part-time officer within the Department of Internal Affairs in 1995. The first permanent director of the Office started in 2004.[2] The Office was renamed to the Office of Ethnic Communities in 2015.[3]

The elevation of the Office of Ethnic Communities to a standalone ministry was a recommendation of the Royal Commission into the Christchurch mosque terror attacks.[4]

Headquarters[edit]

The ministry is based in the Grant Thornton building in Wellington, with regional offices in Auckland and Christchurch.[5]


Development Funds[edit]

In accordance with the Ministry's strategic priorities, community organizations receive an annual allocation of $4.2 million from the Ethnic Communities Development Fund (ECDF) for projects that promote ethnic communities. [6]

Ensuring equitable and accessible government services for ethnic communities is a top priority for the ministry for ethnic communities. Additionally, they have focused on uniting and uplifting ethnic community groups as well as developing diversity and the inclusion of ethnic communities in society. Prioritizing also includes lowering employment barriers for ethnic communities and enhancing economic outcomes.[7] In order for communities to receive the funds, funding criteria must be met. For example, Projects must take place in New Zealand, be well-designed, benefit ethnic communities, and have a clear timetable. Some examples of projects that are accepted are Commemorations/Holidays, language, and faith-based projects if it’s not promoted by the ministry. Projects such as food distribution, operational costs, and translation funds are not accepted, but that could change based on different circumstances. Individuals, capital works, ongoing salaries/administration, completed projects, debt servicing, and commercials are also not funded.[8]

The Project for Former Refugee and Ethnic Migrant Research Coordinator by Tangata Whenua, Community and Voluntary Sector Research Centre Incorporated in Wellington received partial funding of $21,600 in March 2024.[9] This funding may look at issues highlighted in a 2023 report by Community Research, which found high unemployment and welfare rates among New Zealand's former migrants. Specifically, the employment rate for former refugees who had been in New Zealand for five years or more was slightly over 40% between 2012 and 2017, significantly lower than the national average of almost 65%. This means that these former refugees face various demographic, economic, and social challenges that hinder their integration.[10]

Another successful recipient is an organization called Voice of Aroha. They received partial fundings of $25,000 in March 2024 as well.[11] Their aim is to amplify diverse perspectives and share experiences from Wellington's communities, provide a platform for former refugees to be heard and foster a more inclusive society in New Zealand. And highlight and celebrate stories of refugees and their contributions to the country.[12]

List of chief executives[edit]

Chief executives of the Ministry for Ethnic Communities are:

No. Name Portrait Term of office
1 Mervin Singham July 2021[13] present

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "FTE employees by department". Annual Report. Department for Ethinic Communities. 30 September 2022. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  2. ^ "History of the Ministry for Ethnic Communities" (PDF). Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  3. ^ Herald, NZ (2 March 2015). "Office of Ethnic Affairs renamed". NZ Herald. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  4. ^ "Ministry for Ethnic Communities set up: A first for New Zealand". RNZ. 1 July 2021. Archived from the original on 28 May 2023. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  5. ^ "Contact Us". Ethnic Communities. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  6. ^ "Ethnic Communities Development Fund Policies". Ethnic Communities. New Zealand Government. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  7. ^ "About the Ethnic Communities Development Fund". Ethnic Communities. New Zealand Government. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  8. ^ "Ethnic Communities Development Fund Policies". Ethnic Communities. New Zealand Government. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  9. ^ "March 2024 ECDF Successful Grants" (PDF). Ethnic Communities. New Zealand Government. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  10. ^ "We Want to Contribute: Former Refugees' Perspectives and Aspirations on Economic Integration". Community Research. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  11. ^ "March 2024 ECDF Successful Grants" (PDF). Ethnic Communities. New Zealand Government. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  12. ^ "About Us". Voice of Aroha. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  13. ^ "Chief Executive, Ministry for Ethnic Communities appointed". Public Service Commission (New Zealand). 30 June 2021. Archived from the original on 9 May 2023. Retrieved 8 May 2023.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ministry_for_Ethnic_Communities&oldid=1224264980"