Melissa Lee
Wellington, August 4, 2021
I don’t think there is a single baked item of food more representative of quintessential Kiwi cuisine than a pie. From the classic $2 mince and cheese at the corner dairy to the more diverse flavours like butter chicken and creamy kumara and pumpkin found in our boutique bakeries, the pie is an antipodean delicacy that few can deny has a place at the heart of New Zealand eating.
This month, New Zealand celebrates the Bakels 2021 Best Pie in New Zealand Awards and the winners are a reflection of the amazing and diverse cultures of our nation. From Supreme Winner Mrs Sopheap Long baking at Euro Patisserie in Torbay to a long time multiple awardee and Bay of Plenty legend Mr Patrick Lam operating out of his eponymous Tauranga landmark Goldstar Patrick’s Pies, it is in the Pie Awards we see the convergence of ethnic communities newer to our country with New Zealand tradition.
Migrants to our shores add value to our nation and, as my colleague, Erica Stanford has been highlighting, recent immigration struggles of many and this is becoming a significant problem to the continued advancement of our multicultural nation and its economy. We need a practical plan to get more migrants onto our shores to bring their talents, expertise and skills to our nation, benefiting local communities with greater resilience as the world develops its post-Covid-19 economic recovery.
From the earliest ethnic New Zealanders like Appo Hocton to more recent ethnic migrants their arrivals have been an economic boon to our South Pacific Islands. Frankly, it is baffling we aren’t helping support and grow their cultures and their ethnic identities.
I am aware of countless ethnic Kiwi families split apart by border closures unable to secure MIQ spaces from hard-hit parts of the world. We also now have important workers here on work visas who are making the tough decision to leave New Zealand, despite their sectors being under critical job shortages, because of the simple fact they haven’t seen their families for over a year and there’s no end in sight for their loved ones to come to our shores or security for their future in New Zealand.
Make no mistake.
The loss of these people is a loss to our economy, a loss to our national identity and also a loss to New Zealand’s diversity. It is now become a cliché to say to others ‘Be Kind’ in the face of Covid-19 and the Government simply is not being kind to those critical workers, who need kindness now more than ever, especially in our technology sector.
Our technology sector more than ever needs skilled IT workers on the front line of the digital economy and we just cannot upskill local talent in the time needed for those jobs the industry crucially needs. We are constantly seeing New Zealand’s cyber borders under attack threatening the future of our digital sectors and we must act faster by getting the workers in now.
Since 2017, New Zealand has dropped from the Top 20 to No. 48 in global cybersecurity rankings. It’s absolutely clear that we need help now. It is bizarre that we are being so close-minded to practical border solutions that will support our tech sector and enhance New Zealand’s diversity at a time it is so critically needed.
Simply put, we need to give certainty and support to ethnic communities that are adding value to our nation. They are bringing the best of their cultures and skills to amalgamate and grow those homespun in New Zealand.
I should know as my family were an example bringing Korean cuisine to our shores in an age long before Soju, Kimchi and Choco-Pies could be found at the local Supermarket!
Covid-19 is simply not enough of a reason to turn them away. National has already announced solutions to these problems from purpose-built MIQ facilities to a more ambitious vaccine rollout to help our nation re-open faster and get back on track.
In the storefront of those pie award winners, we see stories of resilience and economic standing and we also see the stories of migrant struggles and cultural exclusion.
In achieving their culinary endeavours they are a voice to all the people of New Zealand that they are a cherished part of our nation.
The government needs to do better for ethnic New Zealanders.
The proof is in the pie.
Editor’s Note: Melissa Lee is a Member of Parliament on National List and is the Party’s Spokesperson for Broadcasting and Media| Digital Economy and Communications and Ethnic Communities.
