Overview

A call for unity, resilience and collective action

Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei opened the day with a mihi whakatau, acknowledging mana whenua. Broadcaster Jehan Casinader moderated the event. The Ministry’s Chief Executive Mervin Singham welcomed attendees.

“If we want to shape the future, indifference isn’t an option,” said Mervin Singham. “each one of us has to be a steward of what is right in our society.”

Panel sessions

Ministers’ sofa interview

Hon. Mark Mitchell, Minister for Ethnic Communities, emphasised at the Ministers’ Sofa Session, “We are a beautifully diverse country, and that makes us much stronger,” and that “we can send a powerful message to the world: that we can have differences, but still come together in peace.”

Cultivating social cohesion –Multiple views on NZ’s social cohesion

A panel discussion on social cohesion, moderated by Jehan Casinader, featured Dame Jenny Shipley, - Former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Rahul Watson Govindan - Chief Executive of Philanthropy New Zealand, and Ireen Rahinman-Manuel - Chief Executive Officer of Impactdev360. Dame Jenny Shipley shared that “social cohesion doesn’t happen by accident,” and emphasised that “it’s something we must build together, every day, through empathy, inclusion, and shared purpose.”

Foreign interference – Community experiences and governments’ responses

Ziena Jalil - Commissioner at the Natural Hazards Commission, moderated a panel on foreign interference featuring key voices in foreign interference. The panel included Andrew Hampton - Director-General of Security at the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service, Pratima Namasivayam - Deputy Chief Executive for Advisory, Analytics and Ministerial at the Ministry for Ethnic Communities, and Nathan Smyth - Deputy Secretary General for National Security and Resilience at the Department of Home Affairs, Australia.

Pratima Namasivayam encouraged communities to “celebrate your culture, celebrate your heritage,” while urging vigilance. Andrew Hampton added that “this is not about limiting your democratic rights, this is about protecting them from the influence of others,” and Nathan Smyth called on people to “be an active participant” and “call out interference when you see it.”

United in crises – National emergencies and disaster management

Emergency preparedness was another key focus. Jehan Casinader moderated a panel with Dave Gawn - Chief Executive of the National Emergency Management Agency, Red Tsounga - President of the Aotearoa Africa Foundation, and Sarah Stuart-Black - Secretary-General of the New Zealand Red Cross. Dave Gawn stressed the importance of understanding “what preparedness means for us as individuals, families, and communities,” while Red Tsounga highlighted that “Ethnic Communities should be involved in designing emergency plans—not just translating them.”

Presentation

Ethnic evidence – Do we know our numbers?

Deb Potter - Principal Analyst at the Ministry for Ethnic Communities, presented findings from the Ethnic Evidence Report. The report highlights the contributions of over 1.1 million people from Ethnic Communities and their growing role in New Zealand’s future. It also addresses challenges across areas such as youth identity, discrimination, emergency and civic engagement. The insights will help shape future policy and investment to better support Ethnic Communities.

Breakout sessions

The breakout sessions featured a range of community leaders and experts.

The session on financial sustainability for community organisations explored strategies to maintain long-term financial health. It also looked at how leaders can diversify income sources and build more adaptable leadership. The session was moderated by Berlinda Chin, Chief Advisor to the Chief Executive and Acting Deputy Chief Executive for Strategic Engagement and Stakeholder Insights at the Ministry.  The panel featured Jenny Wang - Founder of Chinese New Settlers Services Trust (CNSST ) Founding; Dr Anwar Ghani - Director of Amanah Ethical and NZI   Products & Services, A. K. Yap - Asian Engagement Advisor at Community Leisure Management (CLM ) Community Sport, and Rahul Watson Govinda - Chief Executive of Philanthropy New Zealand.

The Kai and Discourse session, moderated by Kimberley Wu, Director of National Operations at the Ministry for Ethnic Communities, featured Manjit Grewal, Co-Founder of Ekta New Zealand; Tony Green, Co-Founder of Mahia te Aroha; and Aram Wu, Food Rescuer at Fair Food. Speakers shared practical insights and community-driven approaches to sustainability and inclusion.

The Countering Foreign Interference and Community Resources, moderated by Ruksana Shaikh - Director of Security and Resilience at the Ministry for Ethnic Communities, featured Sean Hansen - Director of National Security & Detective Superintendent at New Zealand Police, and Blair W from the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service. Speakers discussed strategies for countering foreign interference and shared resources to support and strengthen communities.

Looking ahead

Ethnic Advantage 2025 showed our support for inclusive leadership, civic involvement, and working closely with Ethnic Communities. We will keep building on this by staying connected and working together through future events and projects.

“Let’s build solidarity and consensus in actions that can help shape Aotearoa into a strong, cohesive society,” said Mervin Singham, the Ministry’s CE. “Because when times get tough, we come together — and we hold tight.”

Many thanks to our valued sponsors and partners for supporting Ethnic Advantage. The event was sponsored by Auckland University of Technology and Tech Mahindra.

Information stalls:

• Department of Internal Affairs
• Inland Revenue Department
• Auckland Council Local Elections
• Auckland Council Emergency Management
• Diversity Counselling
• Foundation North
• New Zealand Police
• Electoral Commission
• Te Whatu Ora Asian and Ethnic Health Services
• She Sharp