Ethnic Conversations

The Ethnic Peoples Advisory Panel invites you to: Ethnic Conversations.

The Ethnic Peoples Advisory Panel’s main mission is “to identify and communicate to the Council the interests and preferences of the ethnic peoples of Auckland.” With that in mind, the Panel is organising a public meeting for all ethnic peoples to collect the views, opinions and expectations of ethnic communities on EPAP.

This is a unique opportunity for all ethnic peoples of Auckland to voice their valuable opinions. So make sure that you come and join in the conversation.

Highlights
- Meet the Mayor
- Meet the Councillors
- Meet the Panel
- EPAP Chair Dr Camille Nakhid’s report back on progress of the Panel
- Share your views

Introduction to the Ethnic Peoples Advisory Panel.

The Local Government Act 2010, Section 86 (Auckland Transitional Provisions) contained the provision for the establishment of the Ethnic Peoples Advisory Panel (EPAP) for Auckland appointed by the Mayor of Auckland.

The role and purpose of the Panel is:
- to identify and communicate to the Council the interests and preferences of the ethnic peoples of Auckland in relation to the content of the strategies, policies, plans, and bylaws of the Council;
- any matter that the Panel considers to be of particular interest or concern to the ethnic peoples of Auckland; and
- to advise the mayor, and the Council's governing body and local boards, of the Council processes and mechanisms for engagement with ethnic peoples and communities in Auckland.

The panel of 12 members was confirmed by Mayor Len Brown based on their skills, abilities, community connections and networks and do not represent any particular ethnic community.

The Panel operates until 1 November 2013. The decision to continue or re-establish the panel in the same or modified form is within the power of the Mayor’s authority.

Members of the public can contact EPAP via email: Ethnicpanel@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz, or they can go directly to the Auckland Council website: http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/EN/AboutCouncil/representativesbodies/advisorypanels/Pages/ethnicpeoplesadvisorypanel.aspx

Panel members engage with communities, groups, and organisations in different ways. Each member is linked and networked in their communities through their work, the roles that they hold and their on-going relationships. Auckland Council’s website provides information on meetings and other key activities, including media releases, and the Panel has developed its own communication and engagement plan. Its communication media include newsletters and social networking. The
Panel also hosts a number of forums to obtain feedback from ethnic communities on relevant issues such as the Auckland Plan.

To date, the panel has achieved a number of its objectives under the Terms of Reference signed with Auckland Council in December 2011. A list of the work programme is online.

* In this context ‘ethnic’ is defined as: “People whose culture and traditions distinguish them from the majority of people in New Zealand, i.e. those who are not of Māori, New Zealand European/Pakeha or Pacific Island heritage” (Office of Ethnic Affairs, 2001).