Race Relations Commissioner announced as Meng Foon

Thursday, 11 July 2019

Gisborne mayor Meng Foon, who is retiring from local politics this year, will be the new Race Relations Commissioner for New Zealand.

Retiring Gisborne mayor Meng Foon has been appointed the new Race Relations Commissioner more than a year after Dame Susan Devoy left the role.

Foon will take up his new appointment on August 26 and will be responsible for leading the work of the Human Rights Commission in promoting positive race relations.

Justice Minister Andrew Little says the role of Race Relations Commissioner had to be re-advertised in March.

He is fluent in te reo Māori, Cantonese and English and is understood to be the only New Zealand mayor fluent in te reo.

Foon was first elected as a councillor for the Gisborne district in 1995, before being elected mayor in 2001 – a role he held for 18 years.

Fatumata Bah says the delay in appointing a Race Relations Commissioner is not good enough.

The search for a commissioner was put on hold while Colin Henry sued the Ministry of Justice.

* Former race relations conciliator Gregory Fortuin asks nation to come together

* Search for a Race Relations Commissioner on hold

Dame Susan Devoy stood down as Race Relations Commissioner in June last year.

* Dame Susan Devoy steps down from HRC**

In an interview with RNZ on Thursday, Foon said he hoped to 'showcase New Zealand as a great country to live'.

After 24 years in local government, Gisborne mayor Meng Foon has announced this will be his final term. Foon leaves as the only fluent reo Māori-speaking mayor in New Zealand.

'I want to continue the good work of the past commissioners … and continue to enhance harmonious relations right throughout New Zealand.'

He said there were a wide range of multifaceted issues and solutions that needed to be implemented.

Raising the average salaries of those in need, enhancing education levels, providing affordable housing and matters regarding state care were particular issues that required attention, Foon said.

'Hopefully we can actually support our communities to be better prepared for their futures in New Zealand.'

Justice Minister Andrew Little congratulated Foon on his appointment.

'This is an exciting appointment to a role that presents enormous challenges but tremendous possibilities.

'[Foon] has an outstanding record as a relationship builder and walks comfortably in the Pākehā world, the Māori world, the Chinese community and other communities making up New Zealand.

'Race relations is a priority area for the Human Rights Commission. We need to continue to break down barriers to racial and ethnic equality in New Zealand society,' he said.

The long delay in finding a replacement was criticised by an African community group after the Christchurch terror attack.

Fatumata Bah, spokeswoman for the Auckland-based African Communities Forum Inc, said in March that it was unacceptable Dame Susan Devoy had not been replaced after she stepped down in June last year.

'In a moment like this the role is so vital, and especially going forward with the conversation the country needs to have collectively,' said Bah, herself a Muslim.

'The fact it's taken so long is disappointing and sad. The other commissioners who have left, they've been replaced; it says that race relations isn't important in New Zealand.'

Bah said the attacks had prompted reflection about racism, white supremacy and 'how actually New Zealand's not OK for everyone', which should have been led by a commissioner.

Her organisation petitioned the Government to have a new commissioner appointed by May.

Justice Minister Andrew Little, who oversees the Human Rights Commission, said the position was readvertised in March following a legal challenge by an unsuccessful candidate.

Devoy stepped down in a staff shake-up at the Human Rights Commission, after a Ministerial review uncovered culture issues and divisions between employees.

The process of appointing a new commissioner was then put on hold while an international human rights lawyer sued Little over the selection process.

Colin Henry, a Jamaica-born Aucklander, claimed the process was unlawful.

His application for an interim injunction was dismissed in the High Court in November. He then sought a judicial review of the process earlier this year.

Little said a decision on the review was finalised in May and the governor-general accepted the recommendation to appoint Foon this week.

'It is regrettable that the appointment of the Race Relations Commissioner has been delayed as long as it has been.

'It has been a long wait but I am confident this is an excellent appointment,' he said.