Fluent in Māori and elected Gisborne mayor for 6 consecutive terms, this Chinese New Zealander has just been appointed Race Relations Commissioner
He is New Zealand’s only mayor fluent in Māori.
Meng Liu Foon is fluent in English, Cantonese and Māori.
He was first elected to Gisborne City Council in 1995 and became mayor in 2001.
He went on to be elected mayor of Gisborne for 6 consecutive terms.
He remains the only mayor in New Zealand fluent in Māori.
He will retire as Gisborne mayor this year and was today appointed New Zealand’s next Race Relations Commissioner, taking up the role on 26 August.
Justice Minister Andrew Little congratulated Meng Foon on his appointment, describing him as an outstanding relationship builder who moves comfortably between New Zealand’s Pākehā, Māori and Chinese communities.
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Andrew Little said: “Race relations are a priority for the Human Rights Commission. We need to continue removing barriers to racial and ethnic equality in New Zealand.
The Human Rights Commission is an independent Crown entity that works with government and civil society. Its main tasks are to promote human rights, encourage harmonious race relations and equal employment opportunities, and handle discrimination complaints.
Meng Liu Foon has had a remarkable life. He is among the few people of Chinese descent to have become mayors in New Zealand.
He has also chaired Gisborne/Tarawhiti Rugby League since 2007 and is a board member of New Zealand Rugby League.