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“The popularity of Diwali illustrates the influence Indian culture has had on our society,'' the Minister for Ethnic Affairs Hekia Parata told guests at tonight’s Diwali celebration at Parliament.

The Minister for Ethnic Affairs, Hekia Parata, will tonight host the seventh festival of Eid ul-Fitr (Eid) at Parliament to mark the end of fasting for the holy month of Ramadan.

"The month of Ramadan is a period of contemplation, reflection and celebration - to gain spiritual harmony and give thanks for the health and happiness of friends and family," says Ms Parata.

The Minister for  Ethnic Affairs, Hekia Parata, is encouraging Kiwis to help celebrate the 64th Pakistan Independence Day celebration tomorrow.

The celebration, which is being held at  Auckland Auckland Girls Grammar, brings together the local Pakistani community to mark the 64th anniversary of the creation of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. 

According to the 2006 Census, there are 2,049 Pakistani people living in New Zealand.  The majority of the Pakistani community live in Auckland. 

The Minister for Ethnic Affairs, Hekia Parata, will address members of the New Zealand Chinese Association (NZCA) at their annual conference this Saturday, to be held at the Wellington Chinese  Sports & Cultural Centre in Wellington.

The NZCA was established as an incorporated society in 1935, and is one of the largest ethnic associations in New Zealand with over 2000 active participants. 

The Minister of Ethnic Affairs, Hekia Parata, is encouraging Kiwis to celebrate tomorrow’s World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development.

‘’New Zealand is rich in cultural diversity and World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is a reminder for Kiwis to participate in, and learn about new cultures,’’ Ms Parata says.

The Minister of Ethnic Affairs, Hekia Parata, is encouraging people to participate in the EthnicA conference which starts in Wellington on Friday.

Ms Parata is one of the guest speakers at the conference along with the Chair of the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Council of Australia Pino Migliorino, the President of the Chinese Association Steven Young, Multicultural Framework Advocate Pancha Narayanan and Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown.

The Minister for Ethnic Affairs, Hekia Parata, has told ethnic communities in Auckland that the current financial environment presents opportunities to improve coordination and collaboration.

During a two day visit to Auckland Ms Parata met with representatives from the Chinese, Indian, Korean, Filipino, Muslim and African communities along with the Sikh Council, the South East Asian Business Core Group and  Ethnic Business Councis, to share views about the Government’s responsiveness to ethnic people in New Zealand.

Ethnic Affairs Minister Hekia Parata has today announced three reappointments and five new appointments as Trustees of the Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust.

The Trust aims to create a heightened understanding of the Chinese community within New Zealand and to strengthen the unique identity of Chinese New Zealanders.

The Minister has reappointed Maureen Leong (Hamilton), George Sue (Levin), and Tony Thackery (Palmerston North) for a second term on the Trust. Their terms commence on April 21, 2011 and expire on April 4, 2014.

The Minister for Ethnic Affairs, Hekia Parata, has acknowledged the rich contribution that people of Pakistani origin make to New Zealand during a speech to mark Pakistan Day in Wellington tonight.

Ms Parata said New Zealand and Pakistan have enjoyed a good relationship over many years.

‘’We have worked, and continue to work positively in a range of international forums including the Commonwealth, United Nations, World Trade Organisation and the Cairns Group.

Ethnic Affairs Minister Hekia Parata has praised ethnic communities for their resilience and compassion following the devastating Christchurch earthquake.

Ms Parata has met with ethnic communities and other groups in Christchurch affected by the earthquake.

Ethnic Affairs Minister Hekia Parata says the Government is doing all it can to support ethnic communities affected by the Christchurch earthquake.

“The Office of Ethnic Affairs is contacting ethnic organisations in Christchurch to let them know about specialist services available to their communities, such as Language Line,” says Ms Parata.

"It is beyond my wildest dreams that a baby girl born in Shanghai, China, grew up in a Hong Kong apartment where eight families shared a single kitchen and bathroom to be New Zealand's first List M

Parts of Queen Street will be closed as Auckland celebrates the 2010 Diwali Festival of Lights to be hosted by the Asia New Zealand Foundation And Auckland City Council on Saturday October 30 at th

From November 1, people facing English language barriers will have a much easier time querying their power bill if their supplier is Genesis Energy.

Recognising outstanding workplace practices has been the hallmark of the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Trust and this evening businesses which demonstrated such practices were acknowledged in

The Office of Ethnic Affairs has been praised for its work in helping Christchurch's ethnic communities access accurate information on crisis assistance and other available services following the e

There will be no language barriers for people wanting to access information following the Christchurch earthquake with the emergency lines now connected to Language Line, Ethnic Affairs Minister Pa

Promoting and nurturing business links between India and New Zealand is the key objective of tomorrow's Business Leaders of India Forum, says Ethnic Affairs Minister, Pansy Wong.

Ethnic Affairs Minister Pansy Wong will attend the annual meeting of the Australian Ministerial Council for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs in Melbourne tomorrow.

Ethnic and Women's Affairs Minister Pansy Wong launched the Office of Ethnic Affairs and Ministry of Women's Affairs' joint Intimate Partner Violence Project's brochure - Speak Up, Seek Help, Sa

Ensuring ethnic communities have practical information about domestic violence and how to access support is the objective of the Intimate Partner Violence brochure launched today by Ethnic and Wome

Ethnic Affairs Minister Pansy Wong welcomes the release of the Asian workforce report by Employment Minister Hon Paula Bennett.  This is the first official report to focus on the importance an

Tena Koutou Katoa, Good Afternoon.

It is my pleasure to welcome you all today to the Dancing with the Dragon event.  My thanks to our hosts: the Office of Ethnic Affairs, the Confucius

"The 2010 Budget has delivered for ethnic communities through a fairer, more incentivised tax system and a commitment to creating safer communities" says Minister for Ethnic Affairs Pansy Wong.