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Source: ONE News -
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The global recession is likely to pose a major challenge to race relations in 2009.
Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres says economic problems could see progress halted or reversed in terms of employment, standard of living and other social conditions for Maori and Pacific people.
Speaking at the launch of the Race Relations Report for 2008 in Manurewa, South Auckland de Bres says equality in these areas is an important foundation for positive race relations.
De Bres also says more needs to be done to reduce discrimination against Asian people and racially motivated crime.
"The New Zealand Police need to continue their efforts to be responsive to ethnic communities and to develop effective relationships with them."
He says it was pleasing to see Hayden Brent McKenzie, 31, convicted last year for the racially motivated 2003 murder of Korean backpacker Jae Hyeon Kim.
"It is heartening that the police are strongly committed to bringing such people to justice."
The report, the fifth annual record of race relations developments in New Zealand, looks at community action on diversity, discrimination, the Treaty of Waitangi, human rights, migration and settlement, language, media, and religious diversity.
Also coming shortly is Race Relations Day, held on March 21 and focusing on "people in your neighbourhood".
