26 September 2003

Press release

Human Rights Commission congratulates Waitakere City

It’s less than a week old, but the new Waitakere Ethnic Board (WEB) has already received accolades from the Human Rights Commission.

WEB’s establishment has earned the Waitakere City Council a special ‘Certificate of Acknowledgement’ from the Commission, which acknowledges “the positive efforts that individuals and organisations are making towards harmonious race relations in New Zealand.”

The Waitakere Ethnic Board (WEB) was established to advise the Council on issues affecting ethnic groups in the city. Representatives from many ethnic groups have joined the WEB after a lengthy community consultation process and as part of the implementation of New Out West (NOW) - a programme for new settlers, co-ordinated by the West Auckland District Council of Social Services and supported by the Council.

The Council is expecting to formalise its relationship with WEB next month with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to outline ways of working together to be more responsive to ethnic needs within the local community.

“The establishment of WEB is part of an extensive collaboration process in Waitakere,” says Councillor Annette Fenton, the Council’s representative on New Out West.

“The Council already has a Maori standing committee (Te Taumata Runanga) and a Pacific Island Advisory Board. Including other ethnicities within WEB is a recognition of the importance of the cultural diversity within our City and I’m looking forward to seeing new understanding and partnerships develop.”

Ends

ENDS

© Scoop Media