What is MELAA
MELAA acronym is an official ethnicity classification grouping in use in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
It is the designated classification of persons of Middle Eastern, Latin American, African, African American, non-European South African, non-European Zimbabwean, South American, Caribbean and other ethnicities in this country. There are issues with this classification, but it continues to be used despite concerns that very diverse cultural, linguistic and geographical backgrounds are poorly represented by this classification. A review is ongoing.
According to the 2018 Census, 70,332 people in New Zealand identify with at least one MELAA ethnicity. This is 1.5 percent of the total New Zealand population, up from 1.2 percent at the time of the 2013 Census. MELAA comprises 39 ethnic ‘subgroups’ with populations over 100 people.
Stats NZ
In 2022, the wider MELAA community were invited to participate in a hui (meeting) with Stats New Zealand to start the process of addressing concerns with the classification and contribute to improving it. MAG was formed to facilitate engagement, amplify voices, connect and improve representation
Meet our Governance team
Dr Carolyn Providence MBBS, MRCP, FRACP is a Consultant in Internal Medicine, specialty stroke medicine, Auckland. She was born and raised on the idyllic Caribbean Isle of St Vincent. Her primary medical training was at the University of the West Indies. She completed her post-graduate education at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh and specialty training at the University of Cardiff. Carolyn is married and started her family while training and their love of travel brought them across the globe to NZ. The early years in Aotearoa / New Zealand were dedicated to planning, building and leading a multidisciplinary, accredited, provincial stroke service. The family has now settled in Auckland where she practices and passionately champions ethnic minority causes – which led to the collaborative creation of the MELAA Advisory Group. She is a past President of the NZ Caribbean society and a writer of opinion pieces in her spare time.
My name is Anmar Taufeek, I work at Auckland Council as Health, Safety & Quality Integration Manager. I’m a civil engineer originally from Baghdad, Iraq. I have been here for almost 25 years. I’m also a member of PM -PMP, NEBOSH and Engineering NZ. Co- founder of The Good Deed Group (group of female volunteers that is dedicated to give back to the wider NZ community), I am interested in issues relating to gender equity, community, and diversity, and keep myself motivated and optimistic through ongoing study and self-development. In 2021 I was awarded an honorary PHD degree in Engineering and Safety and selected as Emerging Leader by “Super Diversity Institute” and “Ministry for Ethnic Communities”. In Feb 2022 I was elected to the board of NCWNZ. Also, I’m the coordinator of IMAMIA Women Wing for NZ Chapter and a board member at NZ Ethnic Social Service Organisation.
Rachel Mukwezwa Tapera is a Public Health Specialist with a background in emergency humanitarian programme management. Rachel is a passionate researcher working with marginalised ethnic migrant communities, with a desire to see social and health inequities being addressed. Rachel understands her place as tauiwi and tangata Tiriti. She is a strong advocate for Indigenous theorising and Tiriti-based innovations and believes that when the obligations of Tiriti o Waitangi are met, tangata whenua and Aotearoa will thrive. Rachel is a diligent humanitarian at heart, seeking opportunities to advocate for communities in need and devising sustainable and innovative strategies that promote social justice. Rachel was born and raised in Zimbabwe and has lived in Aotearoa New Zealand since 2019.
My name is Sara Richards. As a certified Change Practitioner and holistic wellbeing coach I am enthusiastic to use my skills as the MAG Comms and engagement principal advisor. My understanding of cultural competence in a professional environment and within communities means that I am very passionate about diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. I possess a wealth of cultural experiences which equips me with the interpersonal sensitivity skills to effectively engage multiple stakeholders. My focus and studies have always been centered on community engagement (hapori), unity (kotahitanga), leadership, human development and people’s responses to stress and change. I also have a keen interest in Te whakakoha rangatiratanga (the constant recognition crucial to successful learning outcomes) and how connection and a sense of belonging (whanaungatanga & mana atua) is essential for the rituals of first encounter in traditional Maori culture and our MELAA communities.
Laura V. Moreno-Durán is a Colombian Lawyer holding a Master’s in Policy and Governance from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand and now pursuing Doctoral studies at the Victoria University of Wellington. Laura began her career in Law in Colombia’s Supreme Court of Justice’s Criminal Chamber and later excelled as a litigator in a prominent law firm for over a decade. Laura arrived in New Zealand in 2017, and since then, she has been involved in the volunteer sector. She has volunteered with different organisations, supporting women victims of sexual violence and immigrants in Christchurch and Wellington, supporting their resettlement processes. She is currently a member of the Advisory Ethnic Board at English Language Partners. She is also a co-host of a Radio Show in Spanish broadcast weekly at Wellington Access Radio, promoting spaces, especially for the Latin American community. Laura advocates for positive change towards migration in New Zealand, focusing on migration laws and resettlement policies. Laura is determined to make visible the inequities of immigration laws and the embedded practices that facilitate exclusion and discrimination towards immigrants in New Zealand.
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Ngozi Penson is the Co – founder of MAG. She was born and raised in Nigeria, is of of Ibo tribe in South Eastern Nigeria, West Africa. She moved to New Zealand in 1988. She has also lived in Britain, United Arab Emirates and Australia. Her work experience includes starting and operating various businesses, volunteering and working for Not-For profit organisations, lecturing in tertiary education, Coaching and governance roles in committees and councils within Business, Education and Health sectors. Her advocacy work spans across sectors and communities with a focus on equitable access to participation, representation and engagement. She is past deputy chair Te Whatu Ora / Health New Zealand, Consumer Council Waitemata and past Member Metro Auckland Clinical Governance Forum (MACGF). She is also Board member Africa New Zealand business chamber (ANZBC), and English Language partners Ethnic Advisory Group member (EAG). A mum of two and mentor to many in her community, Ngozi is an advocate for shaping perception about many important issues including mental ill-heath and alcohol and other drugs (AOD).
MELAA ADVISORY GROUP (MAG) 