Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres has outlined the highs and lows for race relations in New Zealand over the past year at the Diversity Forum today.
There has been progress on some issues, de Bres says, and expressions of prejudice and discrimination have generally got short shrift from the public and media. However, continuing discrimination against Asians needs to be addressed, and the high rate of Maori imprisonment is bleak.
The Diversity Forum is an opportunity to celebrate harmonious race relations in New Zealand and the great progress that has been made in this area.
Unfortunately, there is still some way to go to establish a level playing ground for all ethnicities, says Mr de Bres.
Other issues highlighted by Mr de Bres are the need for the new Auckland council to establish Maori seats and secure Pacific and ethnic boards, and the increased unemployment rates for Maori, Pacific and youth.
The year to June 2010 unemployment rate for Maori rose from 12 to 14.3 percent, from 12.8 to 14.1 percent for Pacific peoples and from 7.8 to 10.5 percent for Asian people. This compares to a rise from 4 to 4.4 percent for European New Zealanders.
More worrying is the increased rate of youth unemployment, particularly for Maori, Pacific and Asian youth. Maori unemployment for 15-19-year-olds is now 41.4 percent, 43.3 percent for Pacific youth, 28.4 for Asian youth and 21.7 percent for European youth. - NZ Human Rights Commission
Read more about the annual Diversity Forum
http://www.hrc.co.nz/home/hrc/racerelations/newzealanddiversityforum/2010diversityforum/2010diversityforum.php
Media enquiries: Gilbert Wong 09 306 2660 or Kat Ryan 09 375 8616.
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