Race relations chief roasts Govt apathy

By LIBBY MIDDLEBROOK

Outgoing Race Relations Conciliator Rajen Prasad says his office's work has been hampered by a shortage of Government money and support.

Dr Rajen Prasad's five-year term as conciliator ends today.

As he prepared to step down from the position this week, he questioned the Government's commitment to developing good relationships with ethnic groups.

But he also departed with a sense of achievement, as people were now more aware of racism and the importance of relationships between ethnic groups.

"My disappointment and sadness is that we could have achieved more but we didn't ... so I leave with a sense of frustration.

"The Government has not invested in this area.

"I don't want this to sound like sour grapes, but this is a fact."

Dr Prasad said the office could have accomplished much more with proper Government backing, and the community would have benefited from greater leadership on positive race relations issues.

During the past year the office received about $1.4 million - the same as in 1993.

He was disappointed by the present Government's focus on restructuring, which could lead to the office being absorbed into a new national human rights institution.

He believed work on positive race relations could become diluted in an umbrella organisation.

Dr Prasad, a Fiji-Indian, said the state of race relations in New Zealand was still a big concern.

He was particularly worried about the growth of racial harassment in neighbourhoods and problems in public service organisations.

The country still discriminated against new migrants in areas of employment and housing, although ethnic minorities had been accepted when it came to shopping, food and restaurants.

"I think there's every reason to be optimistic about the future, but we've still got a long way to go."

Dr Prasad said key highlights during his time in the office included the outcome of a report on race relations in Taranaki, following the police killing of Waitara man Steven Wallace.

Representatives of a wide range of community groups have established the Taranaki Group, which aims to promote racial harmony.

He also appreciated the support of all the ethnic groups in New Zealand, although he said the office had not enjoyed the same commitment from the Government.

"I think it would be fair to say that there's something equivocal about Government support for the work of the office."

Dr Prasad will this month take up an academic position at Massey University's Albany campus, where he was previously employed as the director and associate professor at the Department of Social Policy and Social Work.

His replacement in the Race Relations office will be announced next week.