24 June 2002
New Interpreting Pilot Service Welcomed By New Zealand Federation of Ethnic Councils
At today’s New Zealand Federation of Ethnic Councils AGM held at Manukau City Council, the Prime Minister, Helen Clark,
announced that the government will implement a new initiative to address the urgent communication needs of some ethnic
communities and government agencies.
A new Telephone Interpretation Pilot Service will be up and running for initially ten languages in six months time. Mr
Weng-Kei Chen, Federation President, welcomed the pilot as the need for interpretation had been a long-standing issue
facing the community. The Federation anticipates that this initiative will lead to a wider ranging and more permanent
service.
The Prime Minister presented Federation Merit Awards to four long-serving members Grace Hollander,DCNZM.,CBE,JP, and
Professor Kuan Goh ONZM,JP from Christchurch; Dr. Rasalingam MNZM of Auckland, Associate Professor Ashraf Choudhary QSO,
JP of Palmerston North.
President Chen also emphasised that the Federation will take up the challenge in supporting the guidelines of the new
Ethnic Perspectives document.
Following the powhiri by the local tangata whenua, Manukau Mayor Sir Barry Curtis welcomed delegates from 13 regions to
the AGM which is hosted by the Auckland Regional Ethnic Council.
Also present at opening of the meeting were Minister for Ethnic Affairs George Hawkins, Human Rights Commissioner Roslyn
Noonan, Director of the Office of Ethnic Affairs Sonja Rathgen.
URL: www.nzfec.org.nz