Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Federation Seeks a Multicultural Act for NZ

New Zealand Federation of Ethnic Councils Inc.

Web site: www.nzfec.org.nz

PRESS RELEASE

3 March 2008

Federation Seeks a Multicultural Act for New Zealand

The national conference of the Council members of the New Zealand Federation of Ethnic Councils (NZFEC) was held in Christchurch over the weekend of February 16th & 17th. Delegates from the twenty Ethnic Councils from around the country, representing the views of nearly 600 000 New Zealanders unanimously endorsed the request to Government to enact a Multicultural Act in New Zealand that is inclusive of all New Zealanders.

Pancha Narayanan, President of the Federation, presented at the meeting that this would ensure that every individual in New Zealand is equal, their heritage and history is nurtured and protected equally. The Federation principles are based on the fact that everyone in New Zealand has an ethnicity.

This Act if enacted will ensure that issues of ethnicity are put beyond politics. It would also mandate and assist all social, cultural, economic and political institutions to adopt an inclusive approach in their endeavours.

He drew parallels between the proposed NZ act and the Australian and Canadian Acts already in existence. These Acts address the three key areas of Cultural identity, Social justice and Economic efficiency.

Pancha Narayanan said that New Zealand’s Multicultural Act if enacted would for the first time recognise completely (in legislation) the indigenous status of Maori, Treaty of Waitangi and all other mechanisms supporting Maori aspirations. NZFEC aims to begin dialogue with Maori to ensure that Maori interests are actively nurtured and safe guarded.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

As first step, the Federation will seek meetings with member Councils, Iwi, community groups, Ministers and MPs to move this a step further towards legislation.

The conference was also attended by Minister for Ethnic Affairs Hon. Chris Carter, Associate Minister for Justice Hon. Lianne Dalziel, Pansy Wong (National MP), Nicky Wagner (National MP); Tim Barnett (MP Christchurch Central) Christchurch Deputy Mayor Norm Withers, Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres, Director of Ethnic Affairs Mervin Singham, Kerry Dalton, CEO of ACAB, Dibs Patel, Ministry of Youth.

and Kumar Murali from Families Commission.

At the meeting, Race Relations Commissioner, Joris de Bres launched the 2007 Racial Discrimination Report highlighting existing issues as the race-hate crimes and discrimination figures showed a downward trend.

NZFEC acknowledged the goodwill and contribution of all New Zealanders for this positive trend while emphasising that discrimination still existed because the systems and processes in New Zealand had not kept up with international trends and practices.


ENDS

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.