New Zealand Office of Ethnic Affairs

National Government, Department of Internal Affairs

Name of Practitioner:

New Zealand Office of Ethnic Affairs

Website:

http://www.ethnicaffairs.govt.nz/home

Contact Information:

46 Waring Taylor Street, The Department of Internal Affairs, Wellington, New Zealand
Telephone: 64 4 494 0546, Fax: 64 4 495 7231
Email: ethnic.affairs@dia.govt.nz

Practitioner’s aims, programs of activities and fields of expertise:

The Office of Ethnic Affairs advises Government on issues to do with ethnic New Zealanders and provides advice to ethnic communities. Its focus is on those who identify as African, Asian, Continental European, Latin American or Middle Eastern. Its purpose is to contribute to a strong, self-directed ethnic sector, and to promote the advantages of ethnic diversity for New Zealand.
The Office:

• provides advice to government
• works with ethnic communities and service providers to promote community development, better services to ethnic communities and better access to information
• manages Language Line telephone interpreting service, enabling non-English speakers equal access to services
• promotes understanding of ethnic issues in the wider community and encourages discussion
• promotes and supports the development of intercultural competence.

Working closely with the Local Government and Community Branch, Identity Services and the Translation Service of The Department of Internal Affairs, the Office of Ethnic Affairs has offices in Wellington, Auckland, Hamilton, and Christchurch.