Prime Minister Helen Clark will launch a landmark statement on race relations aimed at finding common ground among New Zealanders at the opening of the annual Diversity Forum tonight.
It will identify the foundations for racial equality in New Zealand as being laid at the signing of theTreaty of Waitangi in 1840 between representatives of Maori and the Crown, and state that immigrants have the same rights as other New Zealanders, with a few exceptions.
The statement will also address issues such as freedom of expression and the entitlement of people from diverse ethnicities, cultures and beliefs to be given an accurate and balanced representation in the media.
The forum, which runs until tomorrow, has been organised by the Human Rights Commission to highlight practical action by organisations and individuals supporting cultural diversity in New Zealand.
Yesterday, a panel discussion on "the benefits of diversity" was held at the Town Hall and a "faith in harmony concert" was staged at the Buddhist temple in Papatoetoe.
Speakers at this year's forum will include the Australian Race Relations Commissioner, Tom Calma, the Aboriginal elder who was chosen to respond to the Australian Prime Minister's parliamentary apology to the Stolen Generations.
