Super diverse women celebrated at launch
Women from indigenous and migrant backgrounds were celebrated at the launch of new organisation Super Diverse Women.
The launch was held at NZME Central in Auckland last night, with inaugural chairwoman Mai Chen. Chen said women were “looking for more role models that look like them”.
“It’s about refreshing diversity in the 21st century. It’s important for us to get more sophisticated with how we look at diversity.”
She related a piece of advice given to her by singer Bic Runga, which she said helped her overcome obstacles related to diversity.
“Everything I’ve experienced as a coloured woman is fuel,” she said.
Also in attendance were Auckland mayor Phil Goff, nib New Zealand chief executive Rob Hennin, Ateed general manager destination and marketing Vivien Bridgewater and Perpetual Guardian investment and philanthropy partner Sumita Paul.
Goff said although there had been improvements in accepting diversity, there was still work to be done.
“I’ve seen some huge progress in the recognition of the part that diversity and ethnicity can play in our city.”
He said everyone deserved “equal respect as a human being” and an “opportunity to achieve to their full potential”. “Our inspiration must be to be a fully inclusive society.” Runga then performed. “I don’t know why I haven’t be-
HFor video from the launch go to nzherald.co.nz longed to a group like this before,” she said.
Chen is the author of Diversity Matrix: Updating What Diversity Means for Discrimination Law in the 21st Century.
The key foundation sponsor of Super Diverse Women is nib NZ. Other sponsors include Ateed, BNZ and NZME, publisher of the Herald.
— Ben Hill