Racism Campaign” which provides tools to assist people to take a stand against racism
(www.givenothing.co.nz).
17.
“That’s Us” started a national conversation about racism and discrimination and since
the campaign was launched in 2016 it has reached 4.23 million people and engaged
with 1.3 million more. “That’s Us” supports the New Zealand Migrant and Settlement
Integration strategy and is supported by the New Zealand National Commission for
UNESCO.
18.
In June 2017, the work to tackle casual racism was further supported when the “Give
Nothing to Racism” campaign was launched. The campaign video featured prominent
New Zealanders encouraging people to “give nothing to racism”. So far this campaign
has reached, 4.19 million people and engaged with 2.16 million more, meanwhile
communities and organisations have added their own videos to the website.
19.
The Commissioner maintains a high profile speaking out publicly about discrimination
and inequalities as incidents arise, maintaining close links with different communities.
20.
The Race Relations Commissioner has also been a visible advocate for increasing New
Zealand’s refugee quota. This advocacy, alongside the advocacy efforts of other
organisations, has had some effect. In 2016, the Government announced that it will
increase New Zealand’s refugee quota from 750 to 1,000 people per year, to take effect
from 20186. In addition, the Government will resettle an additional 500 refugees from
Syria in each of the 2016/17 and 2017/18 calendar years, above the current quota7.
The Race Relations Commissioner continues to advocate for further increases to the
quota and supporting alternative pathways to refugee resettlement including private
sponsorship.
21.
The Race Relations Commissioner has advocated for additional programmes to support
settlement for new communities and cultural capability and competency. In 2016, the
Commissioner lobbied the State Services Commission to hold a forum to address these
concerns.
22.
Results from this forum have included the introduction of a new role in the State
Services Commission to strengthen ethnic capability in the public sector, providing a
strategic focus across the state service organisations on diversity and inclusion.
23.
In 2017, under the Migrant Settlement and Integration strategy, two new initiatives
6
Hon Michael Woodhouse, Minister for Immigration, Govt announces increase to refugee quota, press release, 13
June 2016 https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/govt-announces-increase-refugee-quota
7
Immigration New Zealand, New Zealand Refugee Quota Programme, https://www.immigration.govt.nz/aboutus/what-we-do/our-strategies-and-projects/supporting-refugees-and-asylum-seekers/refugee-and-protectionunit/new-zealand-refugee-quota-programme
6