72 S e cti o n One – General New Zealanders are more positive about race relations ethnic communities and increase the number of ethnic than they were in 2004, and public institutions, particu- police officers. larly Parliament, are now more ethnically diverse. The New Zealand Diversity Action Programme has There have been many positive developments in race grown from a small number of community organisations relations since the last Review of Human Rights in New seeking to enhance their diversity capability and foster Zealand Today in 2004, indicating increasing recognition harmonious race relations to approximately 250 organisa- and support for cultural diversity. Many of these develop- tions with more than 660 projects. Networks have been ments will have long-term benefits in enhancing race established for people interested in religious diversity, relations. A central example of this is the New Zealand language policy, media and refugee issues, and policy curriculum introduced in 2008, which contains the core statements on race relations, language and religious principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, cultural diversity and diversity have been developed through them. inclusion. Curriculum requirements to learn a language will further expedite the development of language policy and resourcing. Challenges remain, however. These include promoting public understanding of diversity, combating discrimination and harassment, meeting the needs of diverse A range of initiatives have been implemented to further communities and fostering harmonious relationships. the goal of establishing New Zealand as a bilingual Anti-discrimination provisions would be enhanced nation by 2040, and supporting other languages in the by adopting the Article 14 complaints procedure in community. In addition to new curriculum require- Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination ments to learn a second language, these include the (see the ‘New Zealand Today’ section of this chapter). development of new strategies, resources and media, the establishment and increasing profile of awareness-raising Enduring priorities dealt with in other chapters of this language weeks, and making New Zealand Sign Language report are to: an official language of New Zealand. • address outstanding issues in relation to the Treaty of New Zealand media have become more diverse, with a range of media (radio, television, newspapers and websites) available in a variety of languages and formats. Initiatives aimed at promoting diversity in the media have played a role in increasing the number of journalists from diverse backgrounds in mainstream media. The Office of Ethnic Affairs has established Language Line, the telephone interpreting service, and programmes such as Building Bridges. By collaborating across government Waitangi • reduce social and economic inequalities between different ethnic groups • better support the settlement and integration of migrants and refugees • review section 61 of the HRA to ensure it fulfils its legislative purpose • promote understanding between people of different beliefs. departments, it is in the process of implementing a range The Commission consulted with interested stakeholders of new initiatives to address the challenges of diversity and members of the public on a draft of this chapter. The through developing robust monitoring mechanisms, Commission has identified the following areas for action improving policy advice, establishing business forums and developing, training and maintaining a culturally diverse workforce. The New Zealand Police have developed both national and regional strategies for engagement with ethnic communities. Their foundation strategy for working with to advance human rights and race relations: Asian New Zealanders and international students Countering the relatively high level of prejudice, discrimination and harassment experienced by Asian New Zealanders and international students. ethnic communities is currently being reviewed. Structural discrimination In addition to the strategy, the police have undertaken Investigating the extent to which structural discrimination a range of initiatives to improve their responsiveness to underlies entrenched racial inequalities in the enjoyment