Maori and Pacific Multi-cultural Forum Held at the Temple

The “Maori and Pacific Multi-cultural Forum” was held at the temple on 7th December. It was attended by Mike Bush, Police Commissioner, Wallace Haumaha, Police Superintendent and National Strategic Maori Adviser, Sir Mark Solomon, KNZM Maori Tribal Leader, dame Iritana, Willie Jackson, and representatives from the NZ Police Judiciary Council and Asian Security and Crime Prevention units, in total 32 people. The forum’s discussion topics included national security, crime prevention and victim support strategies for the Maori and Pacific community, and how to elevate the state of social harmony in the community.

Then in the afternoon two more forums titled “NZ Police Commissioner Ethnic Communities Focus Forum” and “MPES” were also held. It was participated by over 60 leaders and representatives from different ethnic groups around the country. These forums were joined by Venerable Abbess Manshin, who is also a member of the National Multicultural Strategy Panel and was hosted by Commissioner Bush. The forum proceeded to discuss topics on public security, crime, domestic violence, and strategies to face these issues.

Another agenda of the meeting was the cooperation agreement with the “Gandhi Nivas Safe House for Perpetrators of Domestic Violence”. Emma Powell, Head of ACC’s Injury Prevention Department, signed this agreement on behalf of Commissioner Bush with Gandhi Nivas Chairperson Ranjna Patel. It is hoped that the cooperation between these two large organisations can reduce domestic violence in New Zealand.