Statement of Intent 2008 - Equal Employment Opportunities

Our capability is also a product of our diversity, 24 per cent of our staff identify as Māori and 12 per cent as Pacific Peoples. This diversity also flows into our management group with 20 per cent of our managers identifying as Māori and 8 per cent as Pacific P eoples. Women make up 73 per cent of all staff in the Ministry, 62 per cent of managers, and almost half (49 per cent) of our senior managers. A key contributor to this diversity is accelerating the development of emerging Maori and Pacific leaders both at first level and middle management.

Each year we aim to identify a cadre of high potential Māori and Pacific leaders to participate in the Te Aratiatia programme. In November 2007 another 14 staff began the latest programme and for the first time three Child, Youth and Family participants joined the programme.

Pay and Employment Equity

The Ministry commenced an internal Pay and Employment Equity Review in 2007 in conjunction with representatives of the Public Service Association and supported by the Pay and Employment Equity Unit of the Department of Labour.

The review is being conducted by a Review Committee from across the Ministry. The Review Committee is guiding the Ministry in determining if and why any gender equity gaps exist and agreeing potential responses that might ensure equitable outcomes for present and future employees. The review report will be completed during 2008 and will provide the basis for the development of a formal response plan which will propose strategies and initiatives to address any issues and deliver sustainable change across the Ministry.