Media release
26 November 2004

Signing a cause for celebration

Waitakere’s ethnic communities are set to forge closer ties with their local council, when the Waitakere Ethnic Board signs a Community Partnership Agreement with Waitakere City Council on December 17.

Representatives from local embassies, central and local government will be at the formal ceremony.

A formal relationship with the Waitakere Ethnic Board supports the Council’s long-term commitment to engage with ethnic communities.

“The signing of this agreement is a cause for celebration .The agreement symbolises Waitakere’s commitment to migrant and refugee communities and is a real opportunity for the Council and ethnic communities to work together meaningfully, by building on its cultures,” says Deputy Mayor Carolynne Stone.

“The Council has a dedicated staff resource to work with the Ethnic Board in identifying additional resource needs to consider for the next financial year,” she says.

The Waitakere Ethnic Board was established on 20 September 2003, as an outcome of the New Out West Democracy Project with the intention for ethnic communities to have a “voice” in decision making.

The “WEB” has emerged as a result of an ethnic community initiative to be more active in New Zealand Society and democratic processes, to promote settlement and provide advocacy on behalf of a growing part of the Waitakere community.

“Our common goals include social inclusion – to promote acceptance, bringing cultures together, acknowledgement and respect for cultural diversities. Both parties will seek for Waitakere City to become the city of choice for host communities and new settler communities,” says WEB President, Abdul Rafik.

“We are both committed to encouraging and promoting activities that foster great understanding,” he says.

ENDS

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