NZ Police Commissioner Ethnic Communities Focus Forum held at the Temple

The “NZ Police Commissioner Ethnic Communities Focus Forum” was held at the temple on 7th October. It was attended by Wallace Haumaha, Police Superintendent; Inspector Rakesh Naidoo, Dr Anwar Ghani, President Federation of Islamic Association of NZ; Ms Rosa Chow, Chairperson ofAsian Council for Reducing Crime; Ms Alexis Lewgor, National President NZ Federation of Multicultural Councils; Ms Ranjna Patel, Director Nirvana Health Group; Jenny Wang, Executive Director Chinese New Settlers Services Trust; Venkat Raman, Editor Indian Newslink; and Venerable Abbess Manshin, altogether 20 people in attendance.

The meeting started with the Abbess welcoming everyone with prayers. Then Superintendent Haumaha thanked everyone’s attendance on behalf of Commissioner Mike Bush. He encouraged everyone to combine their efforts to ensure a safer, more tolerant and accepting society. It is hoped this year’s meeting can achieve better common grounds.

Topics discussed on the day include:
1. Asian students and families often face serious threats, so it is hoped the police can provide more support. Such issues need to be solved quicker with the more multicultural recruitment of the police force.
2. NZ Polices need to establish better understanding different ethnicities.
3. NZ Polices need to build better reputation and trust with the community
4. Serious crime issues such as methamphetamine’s harmful effects upon ethnic minorities, such as more domestic violence, assault, assault with arms, assault on police officers and sexual assault, as well as strategies to counter these occurrences.
5. More support from the police to solve the issues faced by overseas exchange students, especially because they were often faced with many unfortunate circumstances.