NZ Police Organises the “Maori and Pacific Multi-cultural Forum”

Being a member of the National Multicultural Strategy Panel, Venerable Abbess Manshin invited to join NZ Police’s “Maori and Pacific Multi-cultural Forum” at Te Mahurehure Marae on 8th December. This even included Wallace Haumaha; Police Superintendent and Head of the Pacifica Service, researchers from Massey University, 17 representatives from the Maori and Pacifica community, 11 representatives from different ethnic communities and 14 police officers, in total 60 in attendance.

The Forum opened with traditional Maori Welcome ceremonies, opening addresses the various multi-ethnic representatives and singing after each address. Then Police Commissioner Mike Bush thanked everyone for attending as well encouraged everyone’s combined effort to achieve positive results to reduce crime in New Zealand.

The Forum was conducted from 11:30am – 4:00pm. Throughout the proceedings many motions were raised regarding multi-cultural issues, many research data were presented and discussed. Superintendent Haumaha and Doctor Angelique Pratt explained the background and details of current multi-ethnic strategies. Finally Commissioner Bush concluded that future strategies will be according to the motto of “Working Together with Ethnic Communities”, which target the changing of NZ’s future ethnic will make up.

The 3 motions especially raised for the forum included:
1. Leading Ethic Responsiveness
2. Building Capability for Ethnic Diversity
3. Working with Ethnic Communities