- The Upper Harbour Ethnic Peoples Plan 2025–2030 has been adopted as a comprehensive strategy to support the area’s diverse ethnic communities.
- Developed in partnership with The Asian Network Incorporated (TANI) and input from residents, the plan aims to ensure all communities feel seen, heard and included.
- Guided by the Upper Harbour Ethnic Advisory Circle; Harbour Sport will lead delivery efforts by managing funding and governance, and the plan will soon available on the council website.
A new strategy designed to support Upper Harbour’s growing ethnic communities and ensure their voices help shape the future of local services, engagement and wellbeing has been adopted recently by the local board.
The Upper Harbour Ethnic Peoples Plan 2025–2030 marks a major milestone as the first comprehensive strategy for ethnic communities in Upper Harbour, one of Auckland’s most diverse local board areas.
More than 54 per cent of residents identify with an ethnicity other than European, and nearly half identify as Asian.
Upper Harbour Local Board Chair Anna Atkinson says the plan is an important step in recognising and supporting the diversity within the local population.
"Upper Harbour is home to many ethnic communities, and this plan is about making sure every one of them feels seen, heard and supported.
“It’s a roadmap to inclusion so that all who live, work or play here feel they belong and can fully participate in the wider community."
Community-led and grounded in real voices
The plan was developed in partnership with The Asian Network Incorporated (TANI), who led the research and engagement process. More than 600 residents contributed their voices through surveys, interviews and workshops.
TANI Chief Executive Officer Vishal Rishi says, “We take great pride in our collaboration with the local board and the community to undertake groundbreaking efforts that engaged with ethnic peoples across Upper Harbour providing an opportunity to share their lived experiences and help shape the future direction of the local board.”
A diverse advisory group supports the plan
A key group supporting the plan’s implementation is the Upper Harbour Ethnic Advisory Circle, made up of residents and others who have a strong connection to Upper Harbour’s ethnic communities. These representatives come from diverse cultural backgrounds and life experiences.
The 13 advisory circle members have Chinese, Indian, Korean, Malaysian, Cambodian, Nepalese and Middle Eastern backgrounds and their ages range from 24 to 79 years old.
They bring valuable life experience and strong community connections to help guide the plan and make sure it continues to meet the community’s needs.
Next steps
To help bring the plan to life, He Toa Taua / Harbour Sport has been identified as the lead organisation supporting its delivery.
Harbour Sport will help manage funding for community events and grassroots projects that support the plan’s goals. They will also support the ongoing coordination and governance of the Ethnic Advisory Circle.
ActivAsian Manager Husmit Uka says the plan is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when communities come together.
“We give full credit to the Upper Harbour Local Board for enabling this plan and we're honoured to be appointed as the anchor organisation to help carry it forward.”
The next step is to officially launch the plan in late September, and it will soon be available to view on the Auckland Council website.
Stay up to date
Sign up for your Local Board E-news and get the latest news and events direct to your inbox each month. Or follow us on Facebook.
