Cultural & Linguistic Diversity at Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade

Te Manatū Aorere, The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, aspires to be a workplace that values and utilises diverse and inclusive thinking, people and behaviours. This means that staff reflect the diversity of Aotearoa New Zealand and the countries where MFAT works, and that the contributions of staff with diverse backgrounds, experiences, skills and perspectives are valued and respected.

MFAT wants to demonstrate and represent to global partners and to New Zealanders the aspirations of Aotearoa New Zealand: a tolerant, diverse, inclusive and welcoming society. A number of initiatives help to foster this: 

• MFAT has committed to inclusion and diversity as an organisation and has developed a 10 year strategy to guide us in achieving our goals. This means we actively consider an inclusive and diverse approach in various ways across the organisation, from recruitment, to professional development to HR policies.
• MFAT is focused on lifting capability in Mātauranga Māori. This is a key driver to achieving representational aspirations abroad and at home. A programme of work is being developed for all staff to participate in.
• Vibrant employee-led networks within MFAT encourage staff to build community ties in the workplace, provide forums to discuss issues and air ideas, and advocate for inclusive practices and policies. We have formal networks for Women, Te Pou Māori, Vaka Pasifika, Ethnic, Rainbow, Disability, Solo Parents, and Kaitiaki/Sustainability.
• In 2021, MFAT received the Rainbow Tick certification. This means MFAT is a safe and inclusive workplace for employees who are members of the rainbow community. MFAT is building on this foundation to keep improving rainbow awareness and inclusion and received reaccreditation in 2022.
• Flexible working at MFAT recognises diverse and changing work and life situations. All roles at MFAT are now flexible by default, and ask the question if not, then why not? Differing flexible working arrangements enable staff to do their job efficiently and effectively while also balancing other aspects of their lives.