Department of Primar y Healthcare and General Practice, University of Otago Wellington Auckland Council The use of interpreters in general practice: Observing consultations This project explores social cohesion in the Auckland suburbs of Albany, Papatoetoe and New Lynn. It examines the factors that promote social cohesion, particularly in relation to ethnicity and disability. It also considers what Auckland Council could do to further promote social cohesion, particularly between different ethnic groups and for disabled people. Communication is crucial to the doctor-patient relationship and the health outcomes of the individual. Patients that do not have adequate English to get optimal care, ideally require an interpreter. . . However, little research has been done to determine exactly how interpreted consultations are carried out, or how effective such consultations are from the perspective of all participants. . . This study, currently in progress, directly observes communication during GP consultations, where an interpreter is used. It aims to describe the key features of effective communication in interpreted consultations from the perspectives of patients, health practitioners and interpreters. Researchers: Maria Stubbe, Ben Gray, Jo Hilder, Tony Dowell, and Lindsay Macdonald Contact: Ben Gray ben.gray@otago.ac.nz and Maria Stubbe maria.stubbe@otago.ac.nz Government Agencies Office of Ethnic Affairs: Action on Diversity Toward freedom from violence: New Zealand family violence statistics disaggregated by ethnicity “We All Get Along”: Social cohesion in three Auckland suburbs Available at: www.knowledgeauckland.org.nz Researchers: Carina Meares and Amanda Gilbertson Contact: Carina Meares carina.meares@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz Ethnic Precincts in Auckland This mixed method study of ethnic precincts in Auckland will be conducted between December 2013 and August 2014. The study aims to better understand the role of ethnic precincts in Auckland communities, the experiences of business operators in ethnic precincts and extent to which these business operators are engaged with their local and international networks. Research will be focused on Dominion Road with some additional analysis of Northcote as a comparison. Researchers: Carina Meares, Susan Fairgray, Hadyn Hitchens, Amanda Gilbertson and Jesse Allpress; Research, Investigations and Monitoring Unit, Auckland Council Contact: Carina Meares carina.meares@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz This report examines the nature and extent of family violence among ethnic groups in New Zealand, including refugees, longterm settlers and people born in New Zealand who identify their ethnic heritage as Asian, Continental European, Middle Eastern, Latin American or African. It also highlights gaps and limitations in ethnicity data collection and encourages agencies to use the Statistics New Zealand Statistical Standard for Ethnicity 2005. The report confirms that while there are significant gaps in the statistics related to family violence in New Zealand, there is sufficient data to be certain that it remains one of our most pressing social problems, with a high prevalence in the population as a whole. Non-governmental, independent and non-profit organisations Available at: http://ethnicaffairs.govt.nz/story/family-violencenew-zealand-what-it-and-what-government-doing-about-it#How Contact: ethnicaffairs@dia.govt.nz Available at: www.imsb.maori.nz Contact: Wayne Knox (wayne.knox@imsb.Mäori.nz Ministr y of Education PISA 2012: New Zealand summary report The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) assesses 15 year old students from 34 nations to compare how well countries prepare their students. This report provides summary statistics of New Zealand student achievement in mathematics, reading, and science scores on the international test. On average, the scores for Mäori students were below both the New Zealand and OECD average and immigrant students who speak in English at home performed better than those that speak in another language. Available at: http://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/__data/assets/ pdf_file/0008/144872/1015_PISA-Summary_2012.pdf Researchers: Steve May, Saila Cowles and Michelle Lamy Contact: Research.Info@minedu.govt.nz 62 Independent Mäori Statutory Board The Independent Mäori Statutory Board (IMSB) issued a discussion paper on Mäori employment within Auckland Council. It called for increased employment numbers among Mäori, and improved support and responsiveness for Mäori employees. The paper also examined factors that may contribute to building the Mäori workforce within the council and set out suggestions and policy recommendations. The Asia New Zealand Foundation New Zealanders’ perceptions of Asia and Asian peoples 1997−2011 This report found that New Zealanders’ attitudes to Asian immigration and immigrants have become more positive over time, driven largely by increased contact between New Zealanders and Asians. The report uses the Foundation’s “Perceptions of Asia” tracking surveys and other research to analyse changes in public opinion towards Asia over time. Researchers: Emeritus Prof. Phil Gendall, Distinguished Prof. Paul Spoonley, and Asia New Zealand Foundation Director of Research Andrew Butcher Available at: http://asianz.org.nz/sites/asianz.org.nz/files/04382_ ANZF_NZ_Perception_of_Asia_1997-2011_E_Publ_FA3.pdf Contact: Dr. Andrew Butcher AButcher@asianz.org.nz