Minister for Ethnic Communities

The Minister for Ethnic Communities is a minister in the New Zealand Government with broad responsibilities for ethnic inclusion.

The current Minister for Ethnic Communities Melissa Lee.

Responsibilities and powers
The minister is broadly responsible for supporting ethnic and culturally diverse communities in New Zealand. They are the responsible minister for the Ministry for Ethnic Communities and also oversee the Chinese Poll Tax Heritage Trust.

History
The first appointment to the Minister of Ethnic Affairs was made in 1999 at the formation of the Fifth Labour Government. Through the 1999 election campaign, both Labour and United had pledged to appoint an ethnic affairs minister to "be involved at all levels of decision-making on issues affecting ethnic communities." The inaugural appointment was George Hawkins.

The position was renamed to Minister for Ethnic Communities in 2015. The title was briefly Minister for Diversity, Inclusion and Ethnic Communities between 2020 and 2023.

List of ministers for ethnic communities
The following ministers have held the office of Minister for Ethnic Communities.


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