Office of Ethnic Affairs

The Office of Ethnic Affairs is part of the Department of Internal Affairs. We provide advice and support to government, business and ethnic communities on the opportunities, challenges and benefits of ethnic diversity

Our three key priorities are:

  • Supporting ethnic businesses to make a contribution to New Zealand, drawing upon their local and offshore connections to improve New Zealand’s competitive edge in the global economy.
  • Facilitating the development of government policy and services that meet the needs of ethnically diverse people in New Zealand.
  • Promoting participation of ethnic people in all aspects of society to help foster respect for diversity and social inclusion.

What we do

The Office of Ethnic Affairs provides ethnic diversity advice and support in a range of ways:

  • Increasing access to economic development opportunities and employment for ethnic communities.
  • Offering expert advice on the benefits and challenges of ethnic diversity and how to manage diversity effectively.
  • Building and maintaining strong connections between ethnic and mainstream communities, government agencies, non-government organisations, iwi and the private sector.
  • Helping build capability across the ethnic sector and encouraging people to actively participate in all aspects of New Zealand life.
  • Raising intercultural awareness, competences, and skills.

How we work

We take a partnership approach with our stakeholders facilitating engagement and connections, and offering advice and support.  We aim to provide leadership in the ethnic affairs sector and a voice on the latest issues relating to ethnic diversity.

The Office of Ethnic Affairs is committed to helping maximise the benefits of an ethnically diverse community.

For more information visit our website

Projects 2013
EthnicA Conferences

First held in Auckland and Wellington in 2011, three EthnicA Conferences will be held in 2013, in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch , dates to be confirmed. The conferences provide an innovative, savvy and cutting edge arena discussing the latest issues and topics regarding ethnic affairs.

 Celebration of diversity events

The Office supports the Minister in hosting official functions to mark the Chinese New Year, Race Relations Day, Eid and Diwali.

Connecting ethnic and mainstream businesses

The Office will continue its programme of connecting ethnic and mainstream businesses, including through the maintenance and active promotion of its business database and through EPIC, the annual Ethnic People in Commerce conference.

Intercultural Awareness Training

The Office will continue to provide its Intercultural Awareness Training Programme, which is a Train the Trainers model designed to upskill participants so that they can promote effective communication, interaction and relationships with people from diverse backgrounds in the workplace. Through a Memorandum of Understanding signed with the NZ Institute of Management in 2012 the programme will in addition be delivered to NZIM members in 2013.

Language Line

The Office will continue to provide the Language Line telephone interpreting service, which is used by government and other organisations delivering public services and provides access to interpreters in over 44 languages.

Social Innovation and Enterprise

The Office is undertaking a three year project on social innovation and enterprise for ethnic community organisations, aimed at building their capacity in a fiscally constrained environment.

Leadership development

The Office will continue its Young Leaders Programme in 2013, which provides leadership training to specially selected emerging ethnic youth leaders. A second intake of young leaders will  be selected for 2013-14.  In addition the Office will establish an Ethnic Women’s Leadership Programme and a general leadership programme for 2013-14.

Family violence project

The Office is part of the Government’s Family Violence Task Force and contributes to the whole of government framework for addressing family violence. The Office will focus in 2013 on developing capability within ethnic communities to understand and deal with family violence.

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