'The results show gradual improvement in the diversity of our board members'
New Zealand has reported its highest-ever representation of women on public sector boards and committees at 52.5%, as authorities report "gradual improvement" in the diversity of board members.
"Women's representation on public sector boards and committees is now 52.5%, the highest ever level," announced Minister for Women Jan Tinetti.
"The facts prove that diverse boards bring a wider range of knowledge, expertise and skill. Which of course can only be of benefit to the organisation the board is governing," she added.
According to the minister, 54.6% of new appointments on public sector boards and committees over 2021 were also women.
"This government is taking action to make Aotearoa a more equal society for all. Ensuring women's voices are around the board tables of our public organisations is a crucial component. It also paves the way for more women to follow," she said.
Meanwhile, the government also collected its higher number of ethnicity data among board members.
"We have also received ethnicity data for 98.9% of board members, the highest number of ethnicity data that we've ever been able to collect," said Tinetti. "The results show gradual improvement in the diversity of our board members."
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Priyanca Radhakrishnan, minister for diversity, inclusion, and ethnic communities, said she was pleased over the results on the ethnicity data.
"I'm heartened to see an increase in the ethnic diversity on boards and better collection of ethnicity data, and note that increasing the representation of people from our diverse ethnic communities remains a priority," she said in a statement.
"We are one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world and that diversity is a strength. We must ensure that our public sector boards are able to better serve the needs and aspirations of our ethnic communities that make up close to 20% of our total population."
Tinetti said that alongside Radhakrishnan and Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio, they remain committed to increasing ethnic diversity across public sector boards and committees.
"Ensuring our organisations are representative of the communities they serve is critical to developing organisations to be the best they can be," she said.
The results came from the annual stocktake of public sector boards and committees undertaken by the Manatū Wāhine Ministry for Women every end of the year.
