Displaying 1 - 24 of 38 results.

Muslim New Zealanders will today celebrate the Islamic festival Eid-ul Fitr following the sighting of the new moon and will come together to celebrate at Parliament this week, Ethnic Affairs Minister Judith Collins says.

Eid-ul Fitr, is celebrated by Muslims all over the world when the fasting month of Ramadan is completed.

  • Judith Collins
  • Ethnic Affairs

Local providers and community groups are now invited to apply for Settling In grants to provide migrant and refugee settlement services, Ethnic Affairs Minister Judith Collins announced today.

Settling In grants are awarded to community groups that help the Government’s focus on building the capability and capacity of refugee and migrant communities at a local level.

“This Government is committed to ensuring opportunities and tools are available for all New Zealanders to participate, thrive and gain independence,” says Ms Collins.

  • Judith Collins
  • Ethnic Affairs

Telephone interpreting service, Language Line, has helped a record number of people in New Zealand gain access to essential services in 2013/14, Ethnic Affairs Minister Judith Collins says.

“Our nation’s population is becoming increasingly diverse, with 25 per cent of New Zealanders born overseas. Thanks to Language Line’s services, 55,000 New Zealanders have received interpretation support this year. This is a terrific result,” Ms Collins says.

  • Judith Collins
  • Ethnic Affairs

Ethnic Affairs Minister Judith Collins will today address the Wellington Ethnic People in Commerce (EPIC) Conference which focusses on promoting ethnic diversity in business networking. 

Wellington’s EPIC conference follows on from a successful conference in Auckland last month and brings together successful entrepreneurs and business leaders to discuss small and medium enterprise (SME) growth.

  • Judith Collins
  • Ethnic Affairs

Ladies and gentlemen, warm greetings and good evening to you all.

It’s a great pleasure to be here this evening to open the 2014 edition of the Diverse Bananas, Global Dragons Conference.

In New Zealand we value the contribution of every person that has made this country their home. I’d like to say that as people put their faith, trust and commitment in New Zealand, so must we to all who choose to make New Zealand their home.  

  • Judith Collins
  • Ethnic Affairs

Drums will beat at Parliament today to celebrate Africa Day 2014 and Ethnic Affairs Minister Judith Collins says the annual event is a strong symbol of unity and New Zealand’s diversity.

This evening Ms Collins will host diplomats, community leaders and MPs at Parliament to commemorate the 1963 founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), now recognised as the Africa Union (AU).

“Africa Day celebrates efforts to help bring about an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa,” says Ms Collins.

  • Judith Collins
  • Ethnic Affairs

The 2014 series of EthnicA conferences kicks off in Hamilton tomorrow and Ethnic Affairs Minister Judith Collins is stressing the importance of diverse leadership for New Zealand’s success. 

“As the face and heart of New Zealand becomes more diverse, it’s crucial that leaders in ethnic communities play a more active role shaping decision-making,” says Ms Collins.

  • Judith Collins
  • Ethnic Affairs

Ethnic Affairs Minister Judith Collins says Race Relations Day tomorrow is a time to recognise the contribution that  greater ethnic diversity makes to the social and economic fabric of New Zealand.

New Zealand is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the OECD with over 200 ethnicities and over 100 languages now spoken on our shores. Census 2013 data reveals a particularly large increase in New Zealanders of Chinese, Indian and Filipino descent.

  • Judith Collins
  • Ethnic Affairs

Ethnic Affairs Minister Judith Collins says a partnership agreement signed by the Office of Ethnic Affairs (OEA) today will build more connections between new migrants and established businesses in New Zealand.

Under the new agreement, OEA, Export NZ and the Employers and Manufacturers Association will co-arrange and co-fund a major joint conference combining elements of Export New Zealand’s Go Global conference and OEA’s Ethnic People in Commerce (EPICNZ) conference.

  • Judith Collins
  • Ethnic Affairs

Ethnic Affairs Minister Judith Collins and Social Development Minister Paula Bennett have announced the transfer of migrant and refugee community development programme, Settling In, from the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) to the Office of Ethnic Affairs (OEA).

Settling In was established under MSD in 2004 to identify and address the social service needs of refugees and migrant communities, with the aim of supporting communities to develop their own solutions to settle with success.

  • Paula Bennett
  • Judith Collins
  • Social Development
  • Ethnic Affairs

Ethnic Affairs Minister Judith Collins will tonight host a Parliamentary celebration of Chinese New Year alongside one of New Zealand’s largest ethnic groups and says it’s a symbol of our enthusiasm and embrace of cultural diversity.

“People across Asia are welcoming in the Year of the Horse and it’s wonderful that here in New Zealand Kiwis from all walks of life are joining in the festivities,” says Ms Collins.

  • Judith Collins
  • Ethnic Affairs

Ethnic Affairs Minister Judith Collins will open New Zealand’s first Muslim World Forum in Auckland tomorrow and says it’s an example of our nation’s world-leading approach to building harmonious relations.

“This Forum is a fantastic opportunity for the Muslim community to reflect on its journey so far and discuss its future contribution to New Zealand,” Ms Collins says.

  • Judith Collins
  • Ethnic Affairs

Judith Collins will attend the APEC Women’s Leadership Forum in China this week – ‘Championing innovation through inclusive leadership’.

The Forum, hosted by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, brings leaders in politics, business and civil society together to discuss current challenges and opportunities facing professional women.

“It’s an honour to be invited to this year’s APEC Women Leaders Forum,” Ms Collins says.

  • Judith Collins
  • Justice
  • Ethnic Affairs

Ethnic Affairs Minister Judith Collins will travel to Sydney tomorrow to address the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) Women’s Conference.

The Conference is part of the GOPIO Biennial Convention and provides opportunity for women of Indian ethnicity to network and address current, critical issues confronting women of all ages globally.

“All women, including those of Indian descent, have played and will continue to play an important role in New Zealand’s story,” Ms Collins says.

  • Judith Collins
  • Ethnic Affairs

Registrations are now open for New Zealand’s first Muslim World Forum and Ethnic Affairs Minister Judith Collins is encouraging Kiwis of all ethnicities to take part.

“The Forum provides a fantastic opportunity for New Zealanders who are interested to connect, explore contemporary issues and celebrate New Zealand’s diversity,” Ms Collins says.

“Participants will have the chance to discuss challenges the Muslim community may face and find solutions to support Muslim Kiwis to be active and engaged members of New Zealand society.”

  • Judith Collins
  • Ethnic Affairs

Ethnic Affairs Minister Judith Collins will host Diwali celebrations at Parliament tonight and says the event is one of many examples of New Zealand embracing Indian culture.

“It’s a privilege to be hosting this evening’s Diwali celebration for our Indian community. It’s especially significant that the event will be held at Parliament, New Zealand’s decision making centre,” says Ms Collins.

  • Judith Collins
  • Ethnic Affairs

New Zealand businesses could learn from the diversity of the New Zealand-China relationship, Ethnic Affairs Minister Judith Collins told an assembly at Chinese National Day celebrations last night.

“Diversity gives the New Zealand-China relationship real strength, and it gives me great confidence that our partnership will continue to expand and thrive,” Ms Collins says.

  • Judith Collins
  • Ethnic Affairs

Marking the start of Islam Awareness Week, Ethnic Affairs Minister Judith Collins has today announced plans are underway for an official Muslim forum to be held in November.

  • Judith Collins
  • Ethnic Affairs

Good afternoon

It’s a pleasure to be here today to officially open the Ethnic People In Commerce Conference for 2013.

It’s fantastic to see so many of you turn out to support today’s event!

And it’s great to see so many familiar faces.
For those who attended last year’s conference, I’m sure you’ll agree EPIC NZ is a wonderful networking opportunity for all New Zealand’s ethnic and mainstream business leaders.

  • Judith Collins
  • Ethnic Affairs

Ethnic Affairs Minister Judith Collins has today announced the Government’s plan to extend the Office of Ethnic Affairs’ Language Line telephone interpreting service to private sector organisations.

Language Line currently offers immediate access to interpreters speaking 44 languages to help people who speak little or no English communicate with government agencies.

  • Judith Collins
  • Ethnic Affairs

Namaste, good morning.

It’s a pleasure to here today at this New Zealand Indian Central Association Women’s Conference, especially as you celebrate your ten year anniversary.
Congratulations. I hope you leave today’s forum, encouraged and inspired to reach your full potential and achieve your goals.

I thank the Women’s Committee of the New Zealand Indian Central Association, not just for your efforts in organising today’s event, but for your dedication and hard work as leaders.

  • Judith Collins
  • Ethnic Affairs

Good afternoon.

It’s great to be here in Christchurch for the first of the three EthnicA events happening around the country.

It’s fantastic to see so many of you turn out today to support this conference.

I acknowledge and thank you for participating and hope that you all leave today inspired to lead by example, not just in your own communities, but as role models for all of New Zealand.

  • Judith Collins
  • Ethnic Affairs

Ethnic Affairs Minister Judith Collins says this year’s Race Relations Day gives all New Zealanders opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate our nation’s ethnic diversity.

“The theme for Race Relations Day 2013 is ‘My Dream for Aotearoa’,” Ms Collins says.

“I want a New Zealand where every citizen is respected, valued and treated fairly. Regardless of a person’s race, colour or ethnic background, every New Zealander deserves a fair go.”

  • Judith Collins
  • Ethnic Affairs

Justice and Ethnic Affairs Minister Judith Collins has welcomed the latest report of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on New Zealand’s progress at tackling racial discrimination and inequality.

Ms Collins presented to the Committee on behalf of the New Zealand Government at a two-day meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, on 21 and 22 February.

  • Judith Collins
  • Justice
  • Ethnic Affairs