Enabling diversity to thrive

Cyclone Gabrielle and Auckland flooding support

The Ministry for Ethnic Communities is supporting ethnic service providers and communities following Cyclone Gabrielle and the Auckland Anniversary floods.

Communities responded quickly to both events, helping each other source food, shelter and other basic needs. Ethnic service providers have worked tirelessly to ensure communities’ needs are met.

In our new cyclone and flooding hub, you’ll find key information about the situation, links to relevant information from government agencies working directly on the response, and much more.

Check out our new support hub

Welcome

The Ministry for Ethnic Communities is the government’s chief advisor on ethnic communities, ethnic diversity and the inclusion of ethnic communities in wider society.

Ethnic communities make a huge contribution to Aotearoa New Zealand's social fabric and economy. They represent 20 per cent of our population; almost a million people and growing. We are an increasingly diverse nation and this diversity is a source of strength.

On this site, you will find information about our organisation, our work and the communities we serve. 

About us

Ethnic Advantage Conferences

  • Christchurch 2022
    Our Ōtautahi Christchurch conference was a time for reflection, celebration and inspiration. Participants shared their stories, discussed issues impor
    Learn more
  • Dunedin 2022
    Our first Ethnic Advantage conference was held in Ōtepoti Dunedin in November 2022, bringing together representatives from communities, government and
    Learn more
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Our programmes

We work with communities, other government agencies and a range of organisations to help increase social cohesion and ensure Aotearoa New Zealand is a place where everyone feels welcome, valued and empowered to be themselves.
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Ethnic Communities in New Zealand

Based on the 2018 Census, ethnic communities make up around a fifth of New Zealand’s population, almost a million people. This includes new and temporary migrants, former refugees, asylum-seekers, long-term settlers and those born in New Zealand.