The Public Service populations and communities sector supports specific groups of people in our community, including Māori, Pacific Peoples, ethnic communities, women, seniors and disabled people.

Photo by Erica Sinclair Photography

Tā te rāngai taupori, hapori hoki mahi What the populations and communities sector does

The populations and communities sector is made up of organisations that look after particular groups of people in our community.

Te Puni Kōkiri is the Ministry of Māori Development, which works toward the greater wellbeing and development of Māori. The Ministry for Pacific Peoples is the Government’s main advisor on policies and interventions to improving outcomes for Pacific peoples, and the Ministry for Ethnic Communities aims to increase the inclusion of ethnic communities and funds programmes that support community development and social cohesion.

The Ministry of Women works to achieve better results for women and wahine Māori. The Office for Seniors is the Government’s main advisor on issues affecting older people, while Whaikaha — Ministry of Disabled People advises the Government on behalf of disabled New Zealanders to ensure their needs and interests are considered.

The Human Rights Commission advocates and promotes respect for human rights in New Zealand, as well as responding to, and resolving, human rights complaints.

The populations and communities sector works to ensure New Zealand is a country that values diversity and respects human dignity and rights.

Ngā kaimahi o te rāngai taupori, hapori hoki Who works in the populations and communities sector

The populations and communities sector employs:

  • policy advisors
  • cultural advisors
  • communications staff
  • experts in community engagement and public consultation.

Ngā painga o te rāngai taupori, hapori hoki mō Aotearoa How the populations and communities sector benefits New Zealand

Achieving better results for tangata whenua, women, the disabled, seniors and ethnic communities achieves better results for society as a whole. Supporting different population and community groups, and providing them with information, advice and services, means the sector helps them to be a supported and included part of society.

Enhancing the ethnic diversity of Aotearoa New Zealand provides more people with opportunities for cross-cultural exchange, which results in greater cultural awareness. Improving lives for seniors and the disabled community creates opportunities for everybody to participate, contribute and be valued.

Ngā whakahaere o te rāngai taupori, hapori hoki Populations and communities sector organisations

These are the main Public Service organisations that support Aotearoa New Zealand’s populations and communities sector.

  • Te Tari Mātāwaka | Ministry for Ethnic Communities

    The Ministry for Ethnic Communities is the Public Service’s chief advisor on ethnic communities and ethnic diversity. It provides information, advice and services for ethnic communities in New Zealand. Its work improves how responsive the Public Service is to the needs of ethnic communities by developing policies and interventions aimed at improving outcomes for ethnic communities in Aotearoa.

    Sectors

    Populations and communities

    Leader

    Mervin Singham, Te Tumu Whakarae | Chief Executive

    Current Public Service Leaders

    Leadership groups

    Public Service Leadership Team

    Website

    ethniccommunities.govt.nz

  • Te Manatū mō Ngā Iwi ō te Moana-nui-ā-Kiwa | Ministry for Pacific Peoples

    The Ministry for Pacific Peoples is the Crown's primary advisor on policies and interventions aimed at improving outcomes for Pacific peoples in Aotearoa New Zealand. It influences public policy, programme, and service decisions that affect Pacific Aotearoa by leveraging our extensive networks with Pacific communities across the country, as well as our knowledge and understanding of Pacific people, cultures, and values.

    Sectors

    Populations and communities

    Leader

    Gerardine Clifford-Lidstone, Te Tumu Whakarae mō ngā Iwi o Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa | Secretary for Pacific Peoples and Chief Executive

    Current Public Service Leaders

    Leadership groups

    Public Service Leadership Team

    Website

    mpp.govt.nz

  • Manatū Wāhine | Ministry for Women

    Manatū Wāhine Ministry for Women is the Government’s principal advisor on improving the lives of wāhine women and kōtiro girls. The Ministry aims to ensure wāhine Māori have improved outcomes, all women and girls enjoy economic security and thrive throughout their lives, fully participate in society, and are safe from all forms of violence. Its work benefits women, their families and New Zealand as a whole. 

    Sectors

    Populations and communities

    Leader

    Kellie Coombes, Te Tumu Whakarae mō te Wahine | Secretary for Women

    Current Public Service Leaders

    Leadership groups

    Public Service Leadership Team

    Website

    women.govt.nz

  • Whaikaha | Ministry of Disabled People

    Whaikaha was established to work in partnership with the disability community, Māori and the Government to drive change towards a better, more independent future for disabled people, tāngata whaikaha and their whānau. A key intent of the ministry is that it gives full effect to the individual and collective voices of disabled people, tāngata whaikaha Māori, whānau and the wider disability community. Whaikaha is honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi | Treaty of Waitangi while transforming the disability system and helping shape the future of Aotearoa New Zealand in partnership with the disability community and Māori.

    Sectors

    Populations and communities

    Leader

    Paula Tesoriero MNZM, Secretary for Disabled People and Chief Executive

    Website

    whaikaha.govt.nz 

  • Te Puni Kōkiri | Ministry of Māori Development

    Te Puni Kōkiri is the Public Service’s principal policy advisor on Māori wellbeing and development. It works to build a more sustainable and resilient Māori economy, and to ensure the rights and interests of Māori as tangata whenua are protected and supported. Its work improves outcomes for Māori across key areas of Public Service investment.

    Sectors

    Populations and communities

    Leader

    Dave Samuels, Te Tumu Whakarae mō Te Puni Kōkiri | Secretary for Māori Development

    Current Public Service Leaders

    Leadership groups

    Public Service Leadership Team

    Māori Crown Relations

    Website

    tpk.govt.nz

  • Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora | Ministry of Social Development

    The Ministry of Social Development (Office for Seniors) manages and delivers New Zealand’s welfare system. It works with other organisations, communities and iwi to build strong, healthy families and societies. It provides employment, income support and superannuation services that help people in New Zealand be safe, strong and independent. Its work also includes public housing assistance, funding for family and sexual violence prevention, funding for community service providers, social cohesion, resolving claims of historical abuse and managing student loans to help young people achieve their education goals.

    Sectors

    Housing

    Populations and communities

    Social

    Leader

    Debbie Power, Te Tumu Whakarae mō te Whakahiato Ora | Secretary for Social Development

    Current Public Service Leaders

    Leadership groups

    Public Service Leadership Team

    Website

    msd.govt.nz

    odi.govt.nz

    officeforseniors.govt.nz