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Diversity and Inclusion
The Ministry values diversity in our ideas, people, and skills. We recognise that diversity allows us to be more innovative in how we think and act, which enhances the quality of our advice and services.
To help achieve this, we’ve developed a Diversity and Inclusion Strategy to ensure we have a workforce that is responsive to the needs of New Zealanders.
Our organisational values help drive the behaviours needed to achieve our goal.
Gender and Ethnic Pay Gap Action Plans
In line with Kia Toipoto, a comprehensive set of actions to help close gender, Māori, Pacific and ethnic pay gaps in the Public Service, MFAT annually publish plans to report on our progress and continued commitment to closing unjustified pay gaps.
We have now published the Ministry’s new Gender and Ethnic Pay Action Plan [PDF, 747 KB]. You can view our progress over time and previous annual plans here:
Staff Networks
We recognise the important role staff networks play in helping us implement our Diversity and Inclusion Strategy. Each of the staff networks has a Senior Leadership Team member to support and champion the Networks’ goals and plans.
Our staff networks include:
- Te Pou Māori (support group for Māori employees)
- Vaka Pasifika (Pasifika network)
- Ethnic Network
- Women’s Network
- Rainbow Network
- Disability Network
- Solo Parents Network
- Flexible Work Network
- Kaitiaki Network (Sustainability/carbon neutrality)
Inclusion of our rainbow communities
MFAT’s Rainbow Network has been operating for 25 years and has a proud history of representing and advocating for the interests of its members. Our staff organise education and awareness sessions in Wellington and some of our overseas posts. Many of our staff at overseas posts, including our leaders, participate in pride parades in various cities around the world.
In April 2021, as part of the Ministry’s Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, we became Rainbow Tick(external link) certified. We look forward to further improving our rainbow awareness and inclusion to maintain our certification.
