Specialist advice and service in leading diversity

The Office of Ethnic Affairs has a dedicated team of intercultural advisors based in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch with a mission to achieve:

“Better government, community and business outcomes through intercultural understanding and action.”

According to the 2006 Census statistics, more than 10.2% of New Zealand identified themselves as Asian, Continental European, African, Middle Eastern or Latin American; and this figure is projected to increase to 16 - 18% by 2021. New Zealand is more diverse than it has ever been. It is increasingly apparent that New Zealanders would require competence and skills in navigating and managing such diverse relations and opportunities.

The Office of Ethnic Affairs was established in 2001 to monitor issues affecting ethnic communities and to develop, and contribute to the development of, policies and initiatives affecting those communities. Through the work of this team, the Office of Ethnic Affairs has developed specialist advice and resources to develop and enhance leadership skills and competence in the areas of ethnic diversity.

The work of this team contributes considerably to the following key government strategies and projects:

• The State Services Commission's equality and diversity policy
• Ethnic Perspectives in Policy
• The New Zealand Settlement Strategy
• UN Alliance of Civilisations initiative
• Developmental Goals for the State Services

Specialist advice and resources

This team works with key strategic stakeholders on specific development and sustainability projects and activities.

Resources developed include:

• Intercultural Awareness and Communication training programme – an intervention and tool designed to up-skill participants, so that they may establish effective communication and relationships across cultures in the workplace and achieve outcomes.
• Keeping it Real – an interactive documentary DVD developed to catalyse dialogue on themes related to ethnic diversity in New Zealand. Dialogue as a tool has the potential to improve the thinking skills of groups working collectively on issues.

Resources being developed include:

• Foot in the Door – an online publication providing high quality advice on inclusive recruitment practices that remove cultural bias.
• Managing diversity in the workplace – an interactive workshop providing managers and senior managers practical tips on recognising and maximizing the full advantage that diversity brings to the workplace

Consultation and advice is provided where:

• strategies and interventions require designing to meet organisational needs and develop leadership competence in managing diversity in the workplace;
• agencies are seeking support to identify and reduce organisational barriers to diversity as well as to maximise productivity and performance; and
• measurable criteria are determined to embed leadership success in managing diversity in the workplace.

Who to contact for more information

To contact a member of this team, please choose from the local office locations below:

Auckland

Berlinda Chin
Intercultural Manager
Telephone: +64 9 362 7968
Email: Berlinda.Chin@dia.govt.nz

Austin Kim
Intercultural Advisory Coordinator
Telephone: +64 9 363 0563
Email: Austin.Kim@dia.govt.nz

Sonja Tepavac
Intercultural Advisor
Telephone: +64 9 362 7980
Email: Sonja.Tepavac@dia.govt.nz

Wellington

Craig Nicholson
Intercultural Advisor
Telephone: +64 4 494 0609
Email: Craig.Nicholson@dia.govt.nz

Christchurch

Mark Chan
Intercultural Advisor
Telephone: +64 3 353 8312
Email: Mark.Chan@dia.govt.nz