25/05/2026
On behalf of Wellington Mutamizh Sangam, we are honored to share Mervin Singham’s farewell message. Wellington Mutamizh Sangam appreciates and acknowledges his inspiring leadership, dedicated public service, and valuable contribution towards fostering inclusion, belonging, and diversity in Aotearoa New Zealand.
His reflections in “A Journey of Service and Belonging” serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of compassion, inclusion, and service to the community, and will continue to inspire many across communities.
We extend our sincere gratitude and heartfelt best wishes for good health, happiness, and continued success in the years ahead.
Mervin Singham’s farewell message: A Journey of service and belonging
Kia ora koutou,
As I prepare to conclude my tenure as the Ministry’s Chief Executive, I find myself not simply reflecting on a role, but on a 32-year journey in the public service of Aotearoa New Zealand. A journey that has shaped who I am and my understanding of what it truly means to serve.
I first arrived from Malaysia to study law at the University of Canterbury 40 years ago.
I thought I would go home after completing my degree. I never imagined this path and the rich opportunities I have had. They are a reflection of New Zealand: a place where opportunity is real, where contribution matters, and where, despite the headwinds many of us face, there is a real possibility to belong. Working in the public service for most of my life became my way of giving back to a nation that has given me so much. It has been, quite simply, a privilege to serve.
I have always believed that the work of the public service nourishes the lives of generations to come. At the very heart of what we do is shaping the kind of society we aspire to be: fair, inclusive, cohesive, democratic, and tolerant.
From my early days at the Ministry of Housing to the role of Chief Executive of the Ministry for Ethnic Communities, I have come to see that a public service career is not defined by positions held, but by the people we serve, the relationships we build, and the changes we effect in others’ lives, even if they never know our name.
Across these three decades, I have had the honour of serving governments of different colours – National, Labour, and Coalitions – each bringing their own vision for our country. It wasn’t always easy! Through all that change, one thing has remained constant: the dedication of government and the public service to improving the lives of New Zealanders. I have worked alongside thousands of stakeholders and hundreds of extraordinary colleagues whose passion and resilience have made this work possible.
Our true colours always show when we come under pressure. New Zealanders have all navigated defining moments over the past 30 years: September 11, the Global Financial Crisis, the Christchurch earthquakes, the tragedy of March 15, and the COVID-19 pandemic. These times test who we are as Kiwis. And in those moments, I saw shining examples when people and communities rose to the challenge. New Zealanders chose compassion, reached across differences, and continued to come together when the pressure was at its greatest. This must surely be a source of optimism as we navigate the turbulence we are all experiencing today.
Our diversity is an advantage. It is a treasure. It strengthens our nation and helps make New Zealand the unique and vibrant country it is today. The Ministry and communities are working together to continue reframing the narrative of New Zealand Ethnic Communities. We are not groups defined by need, but as communities that richly contribute to the fabric of our country. We want our children to internalise this fact so that, one day, they can all stand confident and proud of who they are.
Throughout my career, I was fortunate to be guided by remarkable leaders who challenged and inspired me and shaped both my professional and personal life. There are too many to be named. Their influence remains with me, and I am forever grateful for it.
I have also learned that leadership is not defined by authority, but by stewardship. People follow us because they see we are committed to a cause higher than ourselves. None of us truly owns these roles. We are temporary guardians of institutions that will outlast us. Our responsibility is to leave them and the people within better than we found them.
I have travelled the world, represented New Zealand in international fora and engaged with Ministers throughout my career. Yet, it was often in the smallest moments that I found true meaning in my career. Yes, there have been milestones: initiatives delivered, reports produced, policies enhanced and progress made. But I have been just as humbled by quiet human gestures: a colleague placing a glass of water beside me because they noticed I was losing my voice; a community member kindly driving me home at night after a long event; watching altruism in action when communities helped each other during a crisis with no expectation for anything in return; or a simple “thank you for listening” that carried more weight than any formal recognition. These moments give me hope that the humanity that binds us is so much stronger than the forces that would drive us asunder.
To the staff and stakeholders I have worked with: thank you, genuinely. Your tenacity, your commitment, and your belief in this work have been exceptional. But beyond what we achieved together, it is the relationships we built that matter most. These connections will endure and bear fruit in ways we may not yet see. They are among the most meaningful aspects of my journey.
As I step away, I do so with both deep gratitude and hope. Gratitude for the journey, and hope for the future of this Ministry, the public service, and Aotearoa New Zealand. I leave knowing that this work is in capable and committed hands.
And if there is one hope I carry with me, it is this:
That somewhere today, a young person newly arrived in New Zealand, uncertain of where they belong, uncertain of what their future holds, might look at this country and believe there is a place for them here. Because that belief changes lives. I know, because it changed mine.
As I approach my final day in the office, I wanted to share these reflections now, as a way of expressing my gratitude and marking this transition with warmth.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve. It has been the honor of a lifetime.
Ngā mihi nui,
Mervin Singham
Ministry for Ethnic Communities
New Zealand Police
Hutt City Council
Wellington City Council
Upper Hutt City Council
India in New Zealand (High Commission of India, Wellington)
High Commission of Malaysia, Wellington
Multicultural Council of Wellington - MCW
Multicultural New Zealand: Federation of Multicultural Councils
Aotearoa NewZealand Federation of Tamil Sangam - ANTS
Taranaki Tamil Association
Canterbury Indian Tamil Association
Auckland Tamil Association
Tamil Society Waikato
Dunedin Tamil Society
