1. Race relations in 2010An overview Joris de Bres Race Relations Commissioner NZ Diversity Forum 23 August 2010

2. Sixth annual Diversity Forum First in South Island Joint venture of Diversity Action Programme participants An opportunity to: compare notes, learn from each other, acknowledge achievement identify practical steps forward in race relations, cultural diversity and racial equality look back, and look forward Welcome

3. Human Rights Commission staff MSD, Settling In NZ National Commission for UNESCO Department of Labour, Ethnic Affairs Individual forum organisers Christchurch Convention Centre Te RunakakiOtautahi o Kai Tahu International visitors Special acknowledgments

4. Around 250 organisations participate in the Diversity Action Programme, contribute projects Thousands of projects delivered (606 in 2010) Website, monthly NZDAP newsletter, Facebook Four networks with monthly newsletters: media, religion, language, refugees Monthly acknowledgments of positive contributions Programme of national diversity events Annual review of race relations Diversity action

5. Waitangi Day, Chinese New Year, Pasifika, Polyfest, Race Relations Day, Samoan Language Week, Matariki, World Refugee Day, Māori Language Week, Te Puke Ariki exhibition (150 years since Taranaki Wars), Mixing Room exhibition (Te Papa) Public controversies: Andy Haden, Manurewa Cosmopolitan Club, David Fane, Hone Harawira 2010 so far: Major events

6. Concluded: Tino rangatiratanga flag, spelling of Whanganui, NZ Rugby Union apology, Treaty settlement milestones, Foreshore and Seabed Act consultation, Government support for UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Simmering: Tūhoe treaty negotiations, details of replacement foreshore and seabed regime, some Pākehā backlash 2010 so far: Issues

7. Otago Daily Times, 12 August 2010

9. Whanau ora Rangatahi courts Invitation to UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Review of human rights in New Zealand 2010 so far: Initiatives

10. 6th annual report published in March 2010 Reviewed events and issues: international, diversity action, discrimination and harassment, Treaty, inequalities, migration and settlement, language, media, religious diversity, research New feature: top ten priorities for action Diversity forum will advance priorities 2010 so far: Race relations report

11. Reviewing the place of the Treaty of Waitangi in New Zealand’s constitutional arrangements and the future of the Māoriseats in Parliament Group to consider constitutional issues (including Māori representation), to be established no later than early 2010, has yet to be announced – issues still being discussed include membership, ToR and whether to include status of Treaty 1. Treaty and the constitution

12. Government and community action to reduce discrimination against Asian New Zealanders VUW Centre for Applied Cross-cultural Research has produced a discussion paper for today’s forum: research confirms that Asian New Zealanders experience more discrimination, although NZ does comparatively well by international standards. The question is how to address the issue. 2. Discrimination against Asian New Zealanders

13. Ensuring the safety of international students, including effective reporting mechanisms, by the education sector, police and local government Christchurch Report It website and Speak Out Nelson Tasman initiative NZHRC cooperating with Australian HRC Paper to be presented to Australia New Zealand ISANA International Education Conference in Melbourne in December 3. International student safety

14. Increasing the representation of Māori, Pacific and other ethnic groups in local government through the 2010 local government elections Registration of candidates and electors has closed Encouraging voters, monitoring outcomes Lay groundwork for 2013 elections Report on Māori representation in local government prepared for discussion at today’s forum 4. Local government representation

15. Ensuring Māori, Pacific and ethnic communities have a voice in the decisions of the new Auckland super city council Māori statutory board, temporary Pacific and ethnic advisory boards Need for Māori seats and permanent advisory boards Need to ensure participation at local board level 5. Auckland Council representation

16. Ensuring the new Auckland super city council continues the Treaty of Waitangi relationships, cultural diversity and settlement support programmes established by the outgoing Auckland councils All existing Auckland councils approached for details of current programmes and relationships and steps taken to continue them Process for temporary rollover of identified programmes and relationship agreements 6. Auckland Council programmes

17. Initiating long-term action with specific targets to reduce the high rate of imprisonment of Māori Trend is towards more and longer prison sentences Rangatahi courts introduced on marae Rethinking Crime and Punishment Trust formed (Robson Hanan Trust) 7. Reducing Māori imprisonment

18. Reversing the increased racial inequalities that have resulted from the economic recession, particularly in employment The unemployment rate has increased from 6% to 6.8% from June 2009 to June 2010, and racial inequalities have increased. Unemployment continues to hit young Māori and Pacific people hardest. 8. Racial inequalities

19. Across all ethnic groups and all ages unemployment has risen from 2009 to 2010.

20. The most marked increase from 2009-2010 has been in youth unemployment, 15-24 year age group.

21. The figures are then significantly higher for the 15-19 year age group.

22. Completing strategies for Māoriand Pacific languages, and developing strategies for New Zealand Sign Language, community languages, translation and interpreting services and languages in schools Review group announced for Māori language strategy, Pacific languages strategy incomplete, Positive developments Samoan Language Week and Māori Language Week, & public attitudes Call for Languages Commission Health interpreting on agenda at this forum 9. Language strategies

23. Developing the 2010 status report on human rights in New Zealand and the Action Plan for Human Rights for 2011-2015. Review of human rights in New Zealand being conducted, draft chapters and priorities published Priorities discussed at this forum 10. Human rights action plan

24. There has been progress on some issues Expressions of prejudice and discrimination generally get short shrift from the pubic Asian discrimination must be addressed Māori, Pacific and youth unemployment represents a high risk for future social cohesion Continuing high rate of Māori imprisonment is a bleak prospect New Auckland council must establish Māori seats and secure Pacific and ethnic boards Conclusion