The Pan-Asian Public Sector Network (PAPSN) works across agencies with existing ethnic networks to share information and to support our peers that identify with differing cultures and ethnicities.
We want to support the personal and professional growth and development of people from different cultures and ethnicities. We're keen to promote and celebrate the benefits and value of a diverse public sector workforce and to support improved cross cultural awareness.
What we do
Provide peer support.
Support skills development to improve diversity in leadership.
Inspire cultural and ethnic staff by celebrating the successes of our peers.
Identify barriers/issues at work experienced by cultural and ethnic staff and help to raise awareness, providing a voice for staff, and working with others to come up with actions that can help to address these.
Support good practices for greater inclusion and cross-cultural awareness.
Celebrate cultures and ethnicities.
Who can join
We have members from numerous agencies across the whole public sector.
We welcome all people involved in a cultural or ethnic network, or anyone that supports such a network, to join us.
From time to time, guests from other employee led networks, or professionals from outside of government, may be invited to join the network to provide guidance or assistance.
Why join us
There is strength in coming together (kotahitanga). For many of our members, PAPSN is a space where one can constructively explore and celebrate their cultural heritage and connections in a way that is relevant and beneficial to the New Zealand public sector context (e.g. developing cultural competency, language proficiency, community engagement).
It is also a space where our members can find like-minded people who understand the lived experiences of being a Pan-Asian public servant so that they can easily learn from and support each other to be the best they can be. Collectively, PAPSN can represent you and your views at scale to the decision-makers and stakeholders who need to hear it, so that you can continue to do your jobs and serve the public effectively.
How to join
Click the button below to join the network. To leave the network, please contact them directly.
Who is involved
Gordon Tan
Te Tai Ōhanga | The Treasury
Role: Co-chair
Farhat Shaikh
Role: Co-chair
Sherrie Lee
Role: Social Media Lead
Matthew Chacko
Role: Secretary
Cynthia Khan Tieu
Te Pou Hauora Tūmatanui | Public Health Agency
Role: Project Lead
Prince Mercado
Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora | Ministry of Social Development
Role: ELN Website Coordinator
Mridula Duffader
Eke Panuku Development
Role: Regional Lead (Auckland)
Eva Chen
Te Kaitiaki Take Kōwhiri | Electoral Commission
Role: Regional Lead (Auckland)
Liz Chin
Te Tari Mātāwaka | Ministry for Ethnic Communities
Role: Steering Committee Member
Richard Foy
Te Tari Mātāwaka | Ministry for Ethnic Communities
Role: Steering Committee Member
Ranjit Singh
Manatū Ahu Matua | Ministry for Primary Industries
Role: Steering Committee Member
Desigin Thulkanam
Te Kawa Mataaho | Public Service Commission
Role: Steering Committee Member
Vai Kavthekar
Tatauranga Aotearoa | Stats NZ
Role: Steering Committee Member (Auckland)