Who We Are

Our Services

Our services include raising awareness, increasing accessibility and empowering communities to build their capacity. We actively support communities to have their voices heard, specifically on provision of health & social services.

To enable this objective, we provide numerous activities such as:

Educational seminars in various Asian languages
forums, workshops, community development programmes
ikanga workshops and programmes
Focus groups
'Regional Network' meetings
Cultural tours
Research consultations
Multi-language newsletters

Our History

Auckland City Council organised the first Asian Forum in October 2000, to facilitate the liaison process and build rapport between various statutory and non-statutory agencies. The intent of the forum was to raise awareness about issues faced by Asian peoples in the Auckland region.

This event identified the need for a support network for Asian communities. The Asian Network Steering Committee was established to respond to this need. The Committee consisted of members from diverse ethnic groups, predominantly from Asian communities.

The Committee worked with clearly defined objectives to advocate on behalf of Asian communities and provide opportunities for the voices of Asian communities to be heard in the public arena.

In December 2002, The Asian Network Steering Committee was registered as an incorporated society under the new name of The Asian Network Incorporated (TANI).

What we do

TANI supports Asian New Zealanders enjoy optimal quality of life and well being and develop strong and healthy Asian communities in Aotearoa New Zealand by:

Networking and creating connections between diverse Asian communities
Advocating for, and promoting the welfare of these communities
Ensuring their active participation in policy making
Liaising with local and central government entities, as well as other stakeholders
Identifying further opportunities for collaboration
Responding to the changing needs of Asian communities and stakeholders
Being a credible national voice for Asian communities

How We Do This

Here is a list of activities to give you a glimpse into how we are working to achieve our goals.

Deliver quarterly ‘Regional Network’ meetings for stakeholders to feature presentations focusing on issues and services of interest to Asian communities. Provide information on potential future collaborative opportunities.
Coordinate the Annual Asian Forum to provide a platform for the community, stakeholders and other service providers to identify and respond to emerging Asian health needs.
Organise workshops, seminars, and focus groups to discuss about current & emerging health & wellbeing issues.
Provide public consultation meetings and forums for government agencies and service providers to listen to the voices of diverse communities.
Publish quarterly newsletters in other languages to update Asian health initiatives and promote health and social support service information.
Reach out diverse communities at a grass root level to promote health messages and information.
Provide community development and capacity building programmes for diverse ethnic communities:. Healthy Baby Health Future, Migrant Women Wellbeing Programme, Stay Well Stay Connected. are some of the programmws provided to Asian communities
Research and insights on diverse areas
Provide cultural advice to organisations to deliver culturally appropriate services to Asian communities.

Something special in the past

Past Projects

Improving Public Health for Asian Peoples:

Since its formation, TANI has worked closely with the Ministry of Health and other health agencies in promoting the public health needs of Asian communities. This includes organising seminars, forums and workshops in collaboration with these agencies for local Asian ethnicities.

These projects range from raising mental health awareness, improving access to healthcare, preventing communicable disease (e.g. Tuberculosis), as well as educating on public health law and legislations.

Research and Conference:

TANI has taken a lead role in promoting and facilitating research to address gaps in the knowledge base about Asian communities in New Zealand, particularly in the area of public health. Examples of this facilitation are mentioned:

In 2002, TANI played a key role in publishing the ‘Asian Public Health Project’ which was co-ordinated by the Ministry of Health.
In 2005, we published the first systematic review of the health of Asian peoples in New Zealand, ‘Asian Health in Aotearoa: an Analysis of the 2002/03 New Zealand Health Survey’.
TANI also contributed to the ‘Asian Health Chart Book 2006’ publication by the Ministry of Health.
We co-hosted the second and third International Asian Health Conferences in collaboration with the Centre for Asian Health Research and Evaluation, University of Auckland in 2006 & 2008 respectively.

The Asian Network Inc. (TANI) is a pan-Asian community-based organisation, committed to working together with ethnic communities including Asian migrants and former refugees, to help them experience a better quality of life & wellbeing in New Zealand.

Through a variety of programmes, activities and information events, TANI assists members of Asian communities live more independently and build confidence in accessing various health & wellbeing services.

Treaty of Waitangi

The Asian Network Inc. (TANI) ensures that the principals of the Treaty of Waitangi are reflected and implemented in the delivery of our service. TANI is committed to understanding the implications for Maori health that are implicit in the Treaty of Waitangi. TANI believes that all migrants who have chosen New Zealand to be their home shall equally respect the principles of the Treaty.
These include:

Partnershipcollaborative process between groups to achieve a common purpose

Participation enablement of individuals or groups to reduce inequalities

Protection akin to fiduciary duty – responsibility of individuals or groups to recognise and respond to cultural needs beliefs and practices.

Below are some useful links to help you gain a deeper understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi; its relevance to community developement and public health sectors.

Treaty of Waitangi (The Waitangi Tribunal)

Treaty of Waitangi & Community Development

The Treaty of Waitangi and Asian Communities – Symposium organized by Human Rights Commission on 13 Nov 2005 – presentation by Manying IP

How should Treaty of Waitangi and Ottawa Charter translate into public health practice? And much more!