The Ministry for Ethnic Communities, committed to in December last year, has now been set up.
Diversity, Inclusion and Ethnic Communities Minister Priyanca Radhakrishnan. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
The government set up the ministry as a response to recommendations of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the terrorist attack on Christchurch masjidain on 15 March 2019.
It will be headed by Priyanca Radhakrishnan as Minister for Diversity, Inclusion and Ethnic Communities.
"This is the first time in its history that New Zealand has had a ministry and chief executive solely focused on improving outcomes for our ethnic communities, which make up nearly 20 percent of our population," Radhakrishnan said.
"Our government wants to ensure that New Zealand is a place where everyone feels safe, valued, heard, and has a sense of belonging."
She said the ministry would deliver and expand on the functions of the Office of Ethnic Communities, which had been a part of Internal Affairs.
Mervin Singham would take on the role of chief executive.
He is the executive director of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State Care.
He has worked across Internal Affairs, including the Office of Ethnic Communities, and the Human Rights Commission.
The ministry's priorities will be:
- Promoting the value of diversity and improving the inclusion of ethnic communities in wider society
- Ensuring government services are accessible and for ethnic communities
- Improving economic outcomes for ethnic communities, including addressing barriers to employment
- Connecting and empowering ethnic community groups.
