The Ethnic Communities Advisory Panel offers advice based on their lived experience as members of diverse ethnic communities.
They will:
Grounded in her African American and Native American heritage, Dr Acacia Cochise brings a strengths-based, intersectional lens to advancing equitable outcomes for ethnic communities.
She works at the intersection of strategy and delivery, partnering with senior leaders and boards to translate lived experience and community insight into coordinated programmes and strategic advice that drive measurable, community-centred outcomes.
Acacia holds a master's degree in Indigenous Studies, a PhD in Pacific Studies, a certificate in Indigenous Peoples’ Policy from Columbia University, and completed postdoctoral research in programme evaluation.
She is currently the Auckland Programmes Manager for Ronald McDonald House Charities New Zealand, leading programmes that support whānau from diverse communities during serious childhood illness. She also chairs the Sisters United Board, recipient of the Vodafone World of Difference Award.
Dr Bill Lu is a senior forensic psychiatry registrar based in Auckland with a career spanning frontline healthcare, governance and community engagement.
He works at the interface of mental health and public safety, supporting individuals and whānau affected by complex social and system pressures and has a strong interest in improving services through evidence-based practice and equitable policy.
Alongside clinical work, he contributes to public and professional governance through committee and advisory roles, bringing a practical understanding of risk, wellbeing and how systems affect diverse communities.
He is passionate about amplifying community voices — particularly those of ethnic communities — so that regional strategies, services and public decisions are culturally responsive, inclusive and grounded in lived experience.
Bill is a former executive member of the Dunedin Multi-Ethnic Council.
Earle Wilkes is director of Equity Matters Limited, supporting organisations to embed equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in their service delivery, leadership and governance.
He brings extensive governance and professional regulatory experience from roles across Aotearoa New Zealand, the UK and Europe, including serving as a council member of the UK Advertising Standards Authority.
Earle also established a scholarship charity supporting students from minority ethnic communities to access education opportunities.
He is passionate about strengthening inclusion and wellbeing and feels honoured to be given an opportunity to contribute to the important mahi of the panel in amplifying the voices and experiences of Auckland’s diverse communities.
Originally raised in India and having completed his higher education in England, Gurdeep now proudly calls Auckland home.
He brings extensive experience in governance, community engagement and public sector advisory roles across Aotearoa New Zealand. He serves on the Funding Panel for the Ministry for Ethnic Communities and is a member of the Ethnic Advisory Panel for New Zealand Police. Gurdeep also sits on the National Trust Board of Community Patrols of New Zealand.
He played a key role in New Zealand’s first report quantifying the economic contribution of ethnic communities, highlighting a $64 billion contribution in 2021 and an updated $87 billion figure in 2025.
Since settling in Auckland, he has actively supported initiatives that strengthen participation, safety, and representation across diverse communities.
Gurdeep is passionate about building trust between communities and public institutions. He advocates for culturally accessible communication, multilingual engagement, and practical approaches that ensure ethnic communities can meaningfully participate in civic life.
Hitesh Patel is an Auckland-based business director and real estate professional with experience in strategic communications, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement.
Through his work in property and media, he supports individuals and families navigating housing decisions and economic opportunity.
With strong connections to Auckland’s diverse communities, Hitesh brings both professional insight and lived experience to the Ethnic Communities Advisory Panel, offering a practical and community-focused perspective.
Janet Kamau is a Kenyan-born New Zealander with over two decades of professional and lived experience in Aotearoa. She has worked across public health, urban and heritage environments, and infrastructure within New Zealand’s public sector, bringing systems-level insight into how policy and planning shape communities.
Increasingly, her focus is on community leadership and advancing education and business connections between sub-Saharan Africa and Aotearoa, with a strong commitment to enhancing diversity and long-term participation.
Janet considers her guiding principle to be becoming a good ancestor — contributing to an Aotearoa where future generations can belong, participate and thrive.
She brings to the panel both professional expertise and lived experience as a former international student, migrant partner, parent and community advocate.
Luke Qin is an experienced community advocate, having volunteered with many community organisations across New Zealand.
He currently leads International Trade Finance for Kiwibank, supporting New Zealand exporters and importers with working capital and risk management.
Arriving as an international student from Sichuan to attend secondary school in New Zealand, Luke has since served on the board of:
He has been a member of the Asia New Zealand Foundation Leadership Network, Ministry for Ethnic Communities Development Fund Panel, and Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum Emerging Leaders Programme.
Luke’s diverse qualifications and voluntary work underpin his commitment to community service, cross-cultural understanding and sustainable development that aligns commercial success with broader community interests.
Luke holds:
He served as a qualified volunteer firefighter with Fire and Emergency New Zealand for nine years and has successfully completed the Sky Tower Stair Challenge to raise funds for charity.
Maha Fier is of Pakistani heritage and is completing a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and a Bachelor of Global Studies in Global Environment and Sustainable Development at Waipapa Taumata Rau / the University of Auckland.
She has been actively involved in the student community throughout her studies, including serving as Advocacy and Intersectionality Officer for University of Auckland Women in Law, where she supported initiatives focused on representation and meaningful dialogue within the legal profession. She has also facilitated student-led discussions on contemporary legal and social issues.
Growing up on the Kāpiti Coast and now working in Tāmaki Makaurau’s legal sector, Maha brings a strong interest in community engagement, sustainable development, and equitable representation. She is committed to supporting diverse communities and contributing thoughtfully to conversations that help shape Tāmaki Makaurau’s future.
Nibras Altayyar is an Auckland-based community leader and ethnic communities project coordinator at Kaipātiki community facilities trust.
Nibras has extensive experience working alongside diverse ethnic communities, building cross-cultural partnerships and supporting community-led initiatives that strengthen inclusion and participation.
Nibras brings strong experience in event planning and delivery, leading large-scale cultural and community events that promote connection and belonging.
With a background in education and postgraduate study, and fluency in English and Arabic, she is passionate about empowering ethnic communities and fostering inclusive neighbourhoods across Auckland.
Parminder Singh serves as South Asian Advisor to Counties Manukau Police, providing leadership in cultural engagement and community inclusion across Auckland’s diverse communities.
He is a Justice of the Peace, White Ribbon Ambassador and social worker. As chairperson of the New Zealand Punjabi Multimedia Trust, he actively supports community development and fundraising initiatives nationwide.
He is a popular host of Punjabi Talk shows on Radio Spice.
Parminder holds qualifications in bicultural social services, te reo Māori, mental health first aid and adult education, reflecting his strong commitment to social wellbeing and cross-cultural understanding.
The panel has a mixture of open formal business meetings and closed workshops each year. The panel meets approximately every six to eight weeks, excluding December and January.
Formal business meetings are open to the public and any elected members of Auckland Council.
Workshops are used for discussion between panel members, Governing Body members and relevant council staff.
For dates, agendas and minutes, visit Agendas and Minutes.
Email ethnicpeoples.advisorypanel@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz to:
