New Zealand's ethnic communities to be better represented in data.
The New Zealand government has taken a significant step towards increasing the visibility of its diverse communities with the launch of the first-ever Ethnic Evidence report. The comprehensive document, prepared by the Ministry for Ethnic Communities, provides over 120 measures across various areas such as work and employment, health and wellbeing, and connectedness and belonging.
Minister Melissa Lee says that ethnic communities have been largely invisible in public sector data, resulting in their voices not being heard in government decision-making. The report aims to fill this void by bringing together existing evidence and creating a baseline for tracking the progress of ethnic communities over time.
Key findings from the report include the significant economic contributions made by businesses owned by Asian, Middle Eastern, Latin American, and African people, with these businesses representing more than one in five businesses in New Zealand and around 13% of those that export goods. The report also highlights the need for better understanding of links between ethnicity and disability or ethnicity and gender.
The government hopes that this report will lead to more inclusive policies and services for all New Zealanders, and Minister Lee looks forward to seeing public sector agencies, non-government organisations, academics, and others using these insights to shape more equitable policies.