PRESS RELEASE
Monday, 1 October 2007

New Zealand Federation of Ethnic Councils believes that the race card will once again be played in the upcoming New Zealand elections.

Concerns were raised by the Race Relations Commissioner, Joris de Bres at the Federations’ Council meeting held in Mangere, Auckland over the weekend attended by the federation’s member councils and community groups. The Federation has already initiated its communication to the communities that politicians may present generally unsubstantiated, race related issues in their attempt to sway the electorate in their attempt to get re-elected.

The Federation also encouraged the Department of Labour’s Settlement division in making its settlement strategy community centric.

The Federation recognises the ethnic diversity of greater Auckland and the challenges both agencies and community groups face in engaging to establish successful community development initiatives A communities mandate was given to the Federation to increase its presence in the region to work with the diversity in the region and also to focus on individual ethnic groups.

Two successful community workshops were held over the weekend with presentations from the DOL, Human Rights Commission, Office of Ethnic Affairs, ESOL, Regional Ethnic Councils, including Women and Youth Councils. The workshops looked critically at how community groups could earn the right to engage in policy and programme development to improve the lives of refugee and migrants.

Concerns were also raised during this weekend’s Council meeting at the increasing incident rate of abuse of social systems and processes by migrants and refugees. The Federation encouraged agencies and community groups to ensure such issues are raised and discussed at various forum.

Minister for Immigration, Hon. David Cunliffe, and Race Relations Commissioner, Joris de Bres, voiced their support for the Federation’s initiatives and their willingness to continue to work with the Federation on community initiatives.

The Federation re-iterated it’s commitment to a non aligned, non-partisan approach to issues relating safe settlement of new migrants and refugees in New Zealand and as it continues to build on its 500 000 strong network made up of established and emerging community groups

The Federation confirmed that it will be holding a national conference, centred on engagement with host communities, on the 15th & 16th of February in Christchurch.

ENDS

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