While it is too premature to answer the challenges that would be attendant in her new role, Dame Susan Devoy believes that it is about understanding and promoting human relations.
But the new Race Relations Commissioner is upbeat about her latest assignment.
“I have always been an advocate of an inclusive society, in which every New Zealander has equal rights and opportunities for education, employment, expression and the ability to pursue their interests and faiths without reservation. I hope to engage closely with the media to promote the concept of oneness of the New Zealand society,” she said, speaking to Indian Newslink.
She would take up her post on April 1, 2013 for a five-year-term and work from her Wellington and Auckland offices of Human Rights Commission.
She replaces Joris de Bres who recently concluded his second term of office.
The Race Relations Commissioner is a member of the Human Rights Commission, which is an independent Crown entity, working with government and civil society to promote respect for human rights, encourage harmonious race relations and equal employment opportunities, and to resolve complaints about discrimination and related issues.
Positive contribution
Justice Minister Judith Collins announced her appointment on March 20, saying that Dame Susan is a proud and highly motivated New Zealander, who will contribute positively to our society.
“Her communication and relationship management skills, coupled with experience working with diverse groups, are key areas of strength. Dame Susan has sound governance experience and mature judgement. I am confident she will be a sensible and intelligent voice for race relations issues,” Ms Collins said
According to Dame Susan, although the world is changing and there are issues that are typical to a multiracial and multicultural society, New Zealand has shown the world that it is possible for people of varied background and religious beliefs can live and work together, promoting harmony and goodwill.
“We are not understating that no problem exists, but they are not as acute as they are in some other countries. We do not have a civil war, there are no demonstrations against communities and such other unwanted events,” she said.
Public opinion
She however warned against complacency and underscored the importance of freedom of speech and expression and the need to ‘take in’ all opinions.
“”Everyone has an opinion. Cultural and economic diversity, differing concepts of rights and responsibilities and the significance of living together in a society that is constantly changing are all important, which emphasises the importance of cordial race relations,” she said.
Dame Susan believes that one of her initial tasks would be to meet people and listen to them. There would perhaps be an education campaign, meetings with groups and associations for a proper understanding of the pros and cons of issues of relevance.
Educating people
“There are complaints of structural discrimination and problems and challenges relating to prejudices and bias in work places. We need to get ahead of the problems and ensure that people achieve their goals in life.
“One of the most important aspects of education is to make people fully understand the importance of the basis on which our society is founded. For instance, many people speak about the Treaty of Waitangi, without even knowing what it is all about. It is important the every New Zealander is aware of what the Treaty means and why it was signed,” she said.
Dame Susan said that she would also interact more with the ethnic media, since “this is one of the most important avenues of reaching across to minority communities and understand their needs and aspirations.”
Ethnic Media
´The ethnic media performs the vital role of connecting people on a common platform. I believe that they would be more significant to my role than social media websites. I suppose I would use web resources such as Facebook and Twitter only when necessary,” she said.
Dame Susan is a former world squash champion and currently Director of Women Walking Ltd, a board member of the Sustainability Council of New Zealand and a member and former Chair of the Halberg Trust.
She is also a trustee of the Tauranga Energy Consumer Trust and Chairperson of BNZ Partners, Bay of Plenty.
Her earlier assignments included the post of Chief Executive Officer and Chair of Sport Bay of Plenty. She also served on the board of the Auckland District Health Board.
