Dear Community Members
Assalamoalaikum-o-Alaikum / Kia Ora
The Ministry of Ethnic Communities was launched in New Zealand parliament on Thursday 1 July 2021.
Hon Priyanca Radhakrishnan, Member of Parliament assumed the Ministry of Ethnic Communities’ portfolio. The sole focus of the Ministry of Ethnic Communities is lifting the wellbeing of ethnic communities of New Zealand.
Pakistan Association of New Zealand (PANZ) president Mr. Naveed Hamid participated in the launching ceremony of the Ministry of Ethnic Communities in Wellington. Pakistan High Commissioner H.E. Murad Ashraf Janjua also attended the ceremony. It is important to note that PANZ was the only Pakistan representative organisation present at the launching ceremony.
There are over 213 ethnicities represented across New Zealand. All ethnic communities collectively speak over 160 languages. New Zealand ethnic communities make 20% of New Zealand’s population.
Mervin Singham has been appointed as the first Chief Executive of the Ministry of Ethnic Communities.
Over 300 persons attended the Ministry of Ethnic Communities launching ceremony.
PANZ would like to extend its congratulations and best wishes to the Hon Priyanca Radhakrishnan as the Minister, and Mr Mervin Singham as the CE of the Ministry of Ethnic Communities.
Shukria/Ngā mihi.
Team #PANZ.