The Human Rights Commission has honoured the Police with the ‘the New Zealand Diversity Action Award.’
Governor General Sir Jerry Mateparae presented the Award to New Zealand Police Deputy Chief Executive (and National Manager, Maori, Pacific and Ethnic Services) Superintendent Wallace Haumaha at the Diversity Forum held in Christchurch on August 25, 2014. Among those present were Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy, Inspector Rakesh Naidoo and Asian Liaison Officer Li’ Ying Cai.
Dame Devoy said that the Police have shown remarkable leadership in recent years by recognising the need to understand better the people they serve.
Action Plan
“New Zealand Police is a founding member of ‘Diversity Action Plan,’ and its Maori, Pacific and Ethnic Services (MPES) Division leads Police policy Development and Service delivery for Maori, Pacific and Ethnic peoples. The Police are the first government agency to implement a strategy to engage with ethnic communities and it is great to see that they have a multilingual website,” she said.
“Their programme, ‘Turning of the Tide Whanau Ora Crime and Crash Prevention Strategy’ addresses over representation of Maori in the criminal justice system, is world leading,” she added.
Valuing Diversity
Police Commissioner Mike Bush said that the Police are committed to promoting multiculturalism, valuing diversity and ensuring that they represent all the communities.
“The Award confirms that Police is playing a key role in promoting diversity and protecting human rights. We are believed to be the first Police service in the world to receive such an Award. We can therefore be immensely proud of this achievement,” he said.
The Diversity Action Plan has 250 participating organisation located throughout New Zealand. The Awards were presented to 12 organisations that participated in the Diversity Action Programme.
