AUT supports ethnic communities event
AUT last week sponsored the Ministry for Ethnic Communities annual conference which brings together 300 leaders from Auckland’s ethnic communities.
Named ‘Ethnic Advantage 2025: United against Headwinds’, the conference is an invaluable opportunity for AUT delegates to engage with ethnic community leaders, government agencies and ministers, and to communicate our position as the country’s most diverse and inclusive university. It is also another example of bringing our Te Kete engagement aspirations to life.
Four AUT representatives took part in the conference, including our Vice-Chancellor.
Professor Salesa says, “As the most diverse and inclusive university in New Zealand, it is essential that we demonstrate our support for, and collaborate with, those who lead, and represent, our ethnic communities.
“This conference was a wonderful opportunity to do so and similarly, to reiterate that these values are deeply embedded in our AUT community.
“Our investment in this conference helps us be part of the wider discussion about Auckland’s growing ethnic populations, build on our existing connections with ethnic community leaders and to establish new partnerships.
“It was a place to communicate that we warmly welcome prospective students from their communities and greatly appreciate the contribution they bring to life on campus, and to New Zealand.
“I was also extremely proud to see so many AUT alumni present at the conference – contributing their cultural insights and lived experiences to the discussions on the day and who are helping shape the future,” he says.
Ministry for Ethnic Communities Chief Executive, Mervin Singham, says “We were delighted to have AUT as a major sponsor of our Ethnic Advantage 2025 conference. AUT has strong connections with Auckland’s Ethnic Communities and a very diverse student population, so they’re well aligned with this important event.
"Their support demonstrates a commitment to inclusion and fairness, and it enables us to work together to support Ethnic Communities across Aotearoa New Zealand. We look forward to exploring further collaboration opportunities to make a positive change in ethnic-Kiwis' lives.”
Ethnic Communities are the fastest-growing populations in New Zealand, more than tripling in size since 1996*. Ethnic Communities are incredibly diverse and, based on the 2018 Census, speak more than 160 languages and are affiliated with 45 faiths. The composition of Ethnic Communities in New Zealand was 76% Asian people, 11% Continental Europeans, 7% Africans, 3% Latin Americans and 3% Middle Eastern people. Within these broad groups, there are many different ethnicities.
*2024 Ethnic Evidence Report - Ministry of Ethnic Communities.