20

Feb

The Ethnic Peoples Advisory Panel – One Year On

The Ethnic peoples' Advisory Panel, Chief Executive Doug McKay, and Mayor Len Brown

1st March 2012 marks the first anniversary of the establishment of the Ethnic Peoples Advisory Panel and the Pacific Peoples Advisory Panel for the Auckland Council. Under the Local Government (Auckland Law Reform) Bill, the Panels were established to make sure that the voice of the Ethnic and Pacific communities be heard. With the help of the Office of Ethnic Affairs and Ministry of Pacific Islands Affairs, 12 and 13 people were selected respectively, and appointed by the Mayor. The 25 people do not represents specific ethnic communities, and they are chosen for their skills, knowledge, connections and abilities to offer unbiased strategic and governance.

The Panels are to provide advice to the Council and Mayor on issues related to the ethnic and Pacific communities, from economic development, social development, youth, engagement, and policies. They do not have decision making powers and these positions are not paid. The Panels meet monthly and have hosted additional hui where necessary. Annual reviews take place to advice the Council and the government on how it has operated and provide advice on future developments.

The Panels are delighted to be invited to various ethnic events and in the recent months, the different Chinese New Year events across town and organisations, Indian festivals and the Japan Day. This allowed the Panel to engage with the communities and reassured them with our presence.

2012 marks the 40th anniversary of the diplomatic relationships between China and New Zealand; and the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relationships between Japan and New Zealand. Members of the Ethnic Panel attended the launch of the NZ Inc China Strategy by New Zealand government recently. China is now the second largest trading partner with New Zealand, behind Australia. Trading between primary resources and people are equally important.

The Mayor will be visiting China in April to further strengthen the relationships between cities. Various New Zealand sectors are increasingly aware of the Chinese presence here locally and are exploring how business opportunities could be further developed.

The relationship between different communities in Auckland and overseas will continue to grow. Better understanding between both places are increasingly important for both social and economic development. As the youngest member of the Panel, I am honoured to have this opportunity to partake in this historical milestone for Auckland and New Zealand.

*Disclaimer: the view expressed here is my own personal view and does not represents those of the Panel, the Auckland Council or the government.

461 days ago Short URL 2 Comments

Auckland/Community Events and Services/Politics

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28

Jan

New Zealand and Dragon Baby – Has Kiwis caught on yet?

“Are you prepared for the baby boom for the Year of Dragon?” asked Mr Eric Chu, Mayor of New Taipei City, at a meeting to the Mayor Len Brown. “In 6 years time, there will be a problem with schools and education.”

What he raised was the Dragon Baby phenomenon in the Greater China area. While all people can thnk about is how stupid I was to mention I want a Dragon Baby, what the articles and stories was really telling was the story of Dragon Baby Boom. Yet New Zealand had no idea how this could impac them.

“A record-high value for milk powder, butter, and cheese exports led a 4.3 percent increase in the seasonally adjusted value of exports in the December 2011 quarter, Statistics New Zealand said today.” Said Statistics New Zealand. Radio New Zealand and Enbar in China also reported New Zealand  market share for whole milk powder in China has increased to 93% last year.”

New Zealand supermarkets were forced to ration baby formula to customers to stop exporters from clearing the shelves and selling to China. Photo / NZ Herald

Zealanders are not aware of the crazy milk power shortage in China. Chinese are buying them up at supermarkets, and supermarkets have to restrict the number of milk powder customers can by. There are many one-day-deals online stores in Chin that were selling New Zealand’s milk powder, real and fake. Chinese owned souvenir shops are selling milk powder for Chinee customers to send or take back to China. There are even loistics companies who help send milk powder back to China.

What New Zealanders are unaware of, shortage of milk powder in New Zealand is only a beginning. With the expected baby boom in China, the demands for milk powder will increase. Chinese of all ages take milk powder, old and young. The demand for expecting mothers will be just as great as new born babies.

Babies needs for milk powder is not a one-year thing; but at leas 6 years. New Zealanders have not came into terms on the economic and social impact Dragon Baby Boom has. Actions and planning should start now or those who suffer are Kiwis.

484 days ago Short URL 1 Comment

Auckland/Business/Community Events and Services/Personal

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22

Mar

Auckland – The Most Liveable City in the World

I’ve attended the launch of the MacroAuckland research by the Auckland Communities Foundation tonight, opened by Mayor Len Brown. I have the privileged to take part in the research as the Settlement Support Coordinator – Auckland City for the Auckland Regional Migrant Services, looking at migrants and refugees settlement.

I was thrilled to see that the report is a very great capture of the social issues in Auckland, that we could all work together to make Auckland an even better place. The research highlighted some of Auckland’s paradoxes:

  • Increasing numbers of Aucklanders are attending cultural event of other ethnic groups, yet only half of Aucklanders consider our increasing diversity a good thing.
  • Boarding houses for ‘rough sleepers’ have available beds, yet homeless Aucklanders are sleeping on the street.
  • Pacific Island students are remaining in schools for longer than average, yet their tertiary enrolment rates are still low.
  • Young people are more likely to take risks around water, yet almost half of those drown in Auckland are over 45 years old.
  • Children’s health outcomes differ dramatically across Auckland, yet perceptions of health by parents across all three of Auckland’s district health boards are virtually the same.
  • The majority of Aucklanders say they take action to save energy all or most of the time, yet Auckland’s energy consumption is increasingly rapid.
  • Auckland’s overall crime rate is decreasing, yet Aucklanders are feeling less safe.
  • There are stereotypes about unemployed Aucklanders choosing to be beneficiaries, yet when a new supermarket opened in South Auckland in 2010 offering 150 new jobs, more than 2,500 people lined up to apply.

From the research the Auckland Communities Foundation has done, they have identified the following priorities for Auckland to action:

  • Early childhood education
  • Migrant & refugee settlement
  • Youth transition
  • Environment
  • Youth health
  • Housing

And these are some of the issues that philanthropic organisations and people have been encouraged to focus on. These are what needed to address so that Auckland can become a better, and more livable city in the world.

No doubt this will be discussed at tomorrow’s Unleashed Auckland, Mayoral Invitation on how to make Auckland a better place. Update y’all tomorrow!

796 days ago Short URL Comments

Auckland

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20

Mar

The Korean Day 2011

The Korean community of Auckland have put on another wonderful day at the North Shore Event Centre on Saturyda, 19th March 2011. The are currently 20,000 – 30,000 Koreans living in New Zealand and 70% lives in Auckland. The Korean Society of Auckladn Inc came together to raise funds for the Christchurch earthquake and were working together as one to enjoy what the community have done for Auckland.

It is wonderful to see the number of youngsters and the elderly participated in the performances. It is lovely to see how to temple organised the tea ceremony to raise funds for Christchurch. It is also lovely to see how the Korean community is working together despite how worn out everyone is to support those in Christchurch.

It was great to be there at the event. A number of the EPAP members attended the event, with a number of VIPs such as the Minister of Ethnic Affairs, Mayor Len Brown, Consuls from Japan, Panama and the Philippines, Ambassador from Korea and reprsentatives from Busan city, community leaders.

As Len Brown said, it is wonderful to see the young people participated yesterday’s community event. They are the future, and no matter what happened, we should be looking at what we can do for the young ones, for the future, and not look back at what happened and who we should blame.

If you have missed the event yesterday – don’t worry! I am sure it will be here at the North Shore Event Centre again next year. See you next year then!

798 days ago Short URL Comments

Community Events and Services

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20

Mar

Kia Kaha Christchurch – Memorial Service at the Auckland Museum

A number of us at the EPAP have attended the memorial service held at the Auckland Museum on Friday 18th March, to pay our tribute and respect to those affected by the quake.

The Museum is one of the leaders in organising memorial services. The event was solemn. At most times, emotional. Perhaps the most significant part of the memorial service is it shows how people of different ethnicity and faith can come together as one.

While we may still be grieving, and while we may still be working very hard to rebuild ourselves, but please don’t forget the spirit of coming together as one, regardless of ethnicity, culture, faith, gender or age. It is only through this, that New Zealand can rebuild and continue to grow as one. Like the old Chinese saying, we can only be strong if we come together as one.

798 days ago Short URL Comments

Community Events and Services

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