Racism is global and entrenched. Around the world, countries are creating practical plans to end racism. The New Zealand Government has committed to developing a national action plan against racism that reflects the history, challenges, and aspirations of Aotearoa New Zealand.
The aim of the action plan is to progressively eliminate racism in all forms. The Minister of Justice is responsible for this important work. The National Iwi Chairs Forum - a collective of Iwi leaders from Aotearoa New Zealand - are partnering with the Government in the creation of the plan.
Eliminating racism will take time and determination. The plan will set concrete steps for the Government to take, and provide guidance for communities, businesses and institutions to support their own solutions.
Aotearoa New Zealand has no agreed definition of racism. The Human Rights Commission describes racism as “any individual action, or institutional practice backed by institutional power, which subordinates or negatively affects people because of their ethnicity.” This means racism is any belief in the superiority of one group over another, or any behaviour or system that overpowers or negatively impacts people because of their ethnicity or the colour of their skin.
There are many forms of racism. It can be hidden or obvious, conscious or unconscious. It occurs:
Within people
Individual racism is negative stereotypes, attitudes or beliefs held by a person that are based on the idea of one group being superior to another. These ideas can be about one’s own ethnic group or about other groups.
Examples:
Between people
Interpersonal racism is harmful beliefs, attitudes, or behaviour directed towards people because of their ethnicity or the colour of their skin. This can be unconscious or intentional, and include biases, discrimination, verbal and physical attacks, as well as both overt and subtle ways of making people feel they are outsiders.
Examples:
Across organisations and society
Institutional or structural racism is when government, organisations, education, and wider society use laws, policies and practices that create unfair advantage for some groups, and disadvantage for others. It builds over time and though not always intentional, drives inequality and disempowerment.
Examples:
It is a fundamental human right to be treated fairly, equally, with respect and to be free from racial discrimination. These rights are protected, supported, and reinforced by:
and also by New Zealand’s commitments through the:
Racism affects individuals, whānau and families, entire communities, and the sort of society we are.
Racism is harmful in any form, and shapes people’s everyday lives: their work, schooling, sense of belonging and mental and physical wellbeing.
The harm can be worse for those who experience discrimination on several fronts such as sex, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.
Across different surveys and studies, it is indigenous, ethnic and groups of colour who report experiencing racism the most. The reports and experiences tell us that racism is deeply ingrained in society, and it can be difficult to identify.
The Ministry of Justice is responsible for developing the plan, working closely with the National Iwi Chairs Forum, government agencies and community groups.
The process used to develop the plan will focus on ensuring everyone’s voices are heard, especially those who experience racism. It will acknowledge the history of racism that Māori have experienced and our responsibilities under Te Tiriti o Waitangi. It will involve:
We may need to release your feedback after an Official Information Act 1982 (OIA) request. Your personal details, including your name and address, can be withheld under the OIA. Other information provided by you (your opinions and experiences) will be anonymised and will not be able to be attributed to you personally. This information may be released if requested.
If you need support, you can contact any of the following numbers free of charge.
Information on experiences and views collected through the workshops is anonymised and will not be linked to you. The purpose of collecting this information was to identify key priorities for the national action plan against racism.
A summary of the action points that we got from all of the workshops will be anonymised and shared with a joint steering committee.
We may follow up with you about future workshops or other engagements. If you don’t want to be contacted again, please contact us at endingracism@justice.govt.nz.
You have the right to ask for a copy of any personal information we hold about you, and to ask for it to be corrected if you think it is wrong. If you’d like to ask for a copy of your information, or to have it corrected, please email us.
If you have any other questions, please contact endingracism@justice.govt.nz.