Speech at Office of Ethnic Affairs' Race Relations Day celebrations in Wellington

Tena Koutou Katoa and Good evening to you all.

It is a pleasure to be here to help celebrate New Zealand's race relations and to launch Dr Edwina Pio's book, Longing and Belonging - which provides a wonderful insight into the thoughts and feelings of selected Ethnic New Zealanders.

Western democracy thrives on robust debates based on different opinions and findings. The recent Race Relations report on a survey of perception resulted in many believing that Asians are the most discriminated against. It says there have been increasing reports of discriminatory behaviour.

However, the increase in reporting discrimination also means that more people are stepping up and speaking out against discrimination in our country - which is a strong sign that victims do not subscribe to the suffer in silence norm of the past.

There was also an earlier Asia New Zealand Foundation Annual Perception of Asians Report, which stated that 81 percent of people view Asians as making positive economic contributions to New Zealand, while 59 percent saw Asian culture and traditions as having a positive impact.

One interpretation of this is that it is Western democracy at work.

Last month, I had the pleasure of launching a book in Nelson on the life of New Zealand's first naturalised Chinese migrant Appo Hocton - also known as Wong Ah Poo Hoc Ting.

This puts to rest the theory that earliest Chinese migrants came to New Zealand in the 1860s to work in the goldmines and highlights the fact that our first Chinese pioneer came in 1842 and became a farmer and property developer.

This late revelation was a reflection of the lack of pride to identify with ethnic minority status that has existed throughout our history.

The book, like many other historical books I read, revealed traceable facts about Ethnic New Zealanders, but seldom were the personal feelings and thoughts of these pioneer migrants recorded.

Dr Pio has ensured that in many years to come this will not be the case for today's ethnic New Zealanders and has ensured the thoughts and feelings of people like Office of Ethnic Affairs director Mervin Singham and Waitakere City Council CEO Vijaya Vaidyanath are being put on record.

These days, we have people articulating their feelings and thoughts about many subjects - including race relations in our country. This is in stark contrast to the days of our early ethnic migrants, who kept under the radar and did not publicly voice their concerns or aspirations for their country.

The perception of racial harmony in the good old days came at a price of the silence of ethnic minorities, but now Ethnic New Zealanders are slowly finding their voices and places in our Western democracy that thrives on robust debate.

Debate may sometimes be controversial, it might be hurtful or unpleasant and it may be challenging, but it doesn't mean that we are at war - but rather that we live in a society where individuals can have a fair go.

Dr Pio's book has provided thoughtful insights into some of our selected ethnic New Zealanders and I would like to congratulate her on publishing Longing and Belonging.

The publication of this book indicates that ethnic New Zealanders have a stake in this country, which is a very welcoming sign - especially as we come together to celebrate Race Relations Day.

Foe ethnic New Zealanders, "longing and belonging" to New Zealand is about Government, communities, and individuals, each doing their parts.

Let me focus on the Government, particularly the Office of Ethnic Affairs. I have set three priorities the team at the Office:

Priority one is to maximise ethnic business peoples' trans-national and cultural skills for domestic and economic gains.

The Office of Ethnic Affairs has already held two business forums so far, the first was for Muslim business people in association with the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand. The second was for business people of ASEAN descent.

These forums allowed ethnic business leaders to meet with the wider business community to foster trade opportunities and boost economic growth.

They highlighted some areas where New Zealand can increase our trading opportunities through our Free Trade Agreements.

It is time for our businesses to start realising the massive potential for international trade that exists within our multi-ethnic society.

Priority two is to empower ethnic communities through increased government responsiveness.

Mervin Singham and his team are working hard to ensure that all New Zealanders are able to contribute to and participate in all aspects of kiwi life - including the decision making of Government.

For example, the Office holds regular civic participation workshops throughout New Zealand on law and order issues and accessing the justice system.

These workshops are designed to address concerns within ethnic communities about law and order matters, raise awareness of new provisions in the law, and increase ethnic communities' knowledge of their civic rights to participate within New Zealand society, including making submissions during the select committee process.

Also, this year, the Office will again support the Asian Health Conference, which allows members of our ethnic communities to come together to discuss and voice their views on the health needs of ethnic New Zealanders.

The Office of Ethnic Affairs is dedicated to ensuring that ethnic New Zealanders - including new migrants - get the help they need to be able to contribute, participate, and succeed in our country.

For example, they administer Language Line - a telephone interpreting service that allows New Zealanders to speak to more Government departments, health agencies, and councils in more than 40 languages.

The Office of Ethnic Affairs is also working with employers to develop diversity policies and provide training in intercultural skills to enhance employment and advancement opportunities for ethnic New Zealanders.

As a nation of just 4 million people, it is crucial that we maximise the skills, knowledge, and networks of our citizens - including those from within our ethnic communities.

Priority three is to maintain New Zealand's reputation as a successful model of social harmony through celebrating our multi-ethnic and multi-faith society.

Nobody can deny the massive crowds that attend events like the Chinese Lantern Festival and Diwali, where kiwis of all ethnicities come together and celebrate.

These are all signs that, like our fellow New Zealanders, we can enjoy celebrations across cultural divides.

Maintaining social harmony and good race relations is like a garden growing over four seasons - it's how much you put in through the tough times that ensure blossoming when spring comes.

The key to a beautiful garden is commitment and dedication as you nurture and care for the plants to ensure they are able to grow strong and blossom brightly.

And I am optimistic because here in New Zealand we have plenty of gardeners, like yourselves, each caring for patches across the country, which is essential to our country's growth.

If everyone stood aside and did nothing, the garden would be a wasteland. Judging by the sentiments expressed in Dr Pio's book, this will not happen.