Equal opportunity for all

The Office of Ethnic Affairs is holding a range of Law and Order workshops to assist our Ethnic communities in becoming involved in the decision making process of our country.

These workshops are designed to assist in learning how we can have our voices heard during the select committee process to ensure we all have the capability to become confident, equal and proud citizens

For far too long members of our Ethnic communities have been passive bystanders in the decision making process of our country, but the National-led Government is determined to ensure that every New Zealander has a voice in the way our great nation is run.

The select committee process is an important part of our country's democratic process as it gives every New Zealander the opportunity to have their say by making a submission on whether they agree or disagree with the proposed law.

As New Zealanders, every member of every Ethnic Community has the ability and the right to have their say, to tell the Government whether or not they support the law, what changes in the legislation they believe need to be introduced and how the proposed law will impact on them, their families and their community.

We live in a country of great democracy and it is important that as New Zealanders we all have our say. But often, members of our ethnic community are unaware of the knowledge and process. This Government is determined to change that and give all New Zealanders a voice.

The workshops will use the four pieces of Law and Order legislation currently before select committee as working examples - the Criminal Investigation (Bodily Samples) Bill, the Sentencing (Offender Levy) Amendment Bill, the Sentencing and Parole Reform Bill and the Children, Young Persons and Their Families (Youth Courts Jurisdiction Orders) Amendment Bill. Workshop participants will be informed on how submissions are made and how they can help shape the legislation of our country.

These four Bills were introduced to Parliament after an overwhelming outpour of anguish from many within our Ethnic communities, so it is only right that members of these communities have their say on whether they agree or disagree with the proposed laws.

The workshops are being held in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch.

Ours is a country that is made up of many communities with many voices and by having our voices heard, we can continue to make this country great.