Ethnic Conversations Public Meeting

The Auckland Council's Ethnic Peoples Advisory Panel that has been appointed by the Mayor of Auckland has been in existence for one year.

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

The EPAP consists of 12 people from nine ethnicities.  The Panel members who between them speak 24 languages, work across different community groups and work with them. Auckland is the most diverse city in New Zealand, with over 180 ethnicities. The Panel act as a sounding board to the Mayor, Governing Body and Local Boards and bring to the table interests and concerns of these diverse communities.

The Panel meet once a month formerly with Council staff to provide advise on strategic plans, policies and initiatives. The Mayor meets with them periodically and Councillor Richard Northey, their liaison councillor attends most of their meetings. Each panel member is a member of one or more sub committees and work in the areas of Communication and Engagement, Economic Development and Youth and work on contributing to Council submissions and offering input in various areas.

“This is a unique opportunity for all ethnic peoples of Auckland to voice their valuable opinions” says Dr Camille Nakhid, the Chairperson of EPAP. She further said that this was an opportunity for ethnic Aucklanders to let the Panel and Council know what they expect from them and to discuss issues. The Mayor of Auckland His Worship Len Brown and some of the Councilors will be attending the meeting.

Dr Nakhid would like to invite anyone living in Auckland who has an interest in ethnic issues to make sure that they attend the meeting and join in the conversation.

The Ethnic Conversations public meeting will be held on Saturday 25 July 2012 at the Fickling Centre in Three Kings from 10 a.m to noon. Attendees should RSVP using the email ethnicpanel@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz or by using the Ethnic Peoples Advisory Panel Facebook page or calling 021 042 7368.