Melissa Lee has lost her remaining ministerial roles in a government reshuffle. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Community leaders surprised by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's removal of Melissa Lee from the ethnic communities' portfolio are calling on her replacement to build on the strong foundations of engagement she established.
After sitting on the back benches as an MP for five terms, Lee was given the ethnic communities, economic development, and media and communications portfolios after the coalition government won the 2023 election.
Lee was demoted from Cabinet in April last year, with Luxon stripping her of the media and communications portfolio.
On Sunday, he sacked Lee from her remaining ministerial roles, giving ethnic communities to Police Minister Mark Mitchell and economic growth (formerly economic development) to Finance Minister Nicola Willis.
Lee, who currently remains a list MP, was ranked number 13 on the National Party's list for the 2023 election.
She narrowly lost her bid to win the Mount Albert electorate seat to the Labour Party's Helen White by 18 votes.
Kelly Feng, chief executive at Asian Family Services, said the demotion announced Sunday was "significant".
"Replacing somebody who comes from ethnic communities, with someone who, shall we say, comes from the mainstream, is definitely not good optics," Feng said.
"It's not just me saying this, rather research proves it. The leadership should be more representative of our diverse population. This motivates our younger generation to come forward and strive for leadership roles."
Feng thanked Lee for serving the ethnic communities of New Zealand for a long time and being a strong advocate for them.
Tayo Agunlejika, former president of Multicultural New Zealand, expressed shock at the announcement.
"I feel sad for her because I know how hard she worked over the past two decades to rise through the ranks and get the ministerial position," Agunlejika said.
"For her to have lost the role within a year, and that, too, after finishing strong in 2024 with the launch of the Ethnic Evidence Report is shocking."
Jaspreet Kandhari, general secretary of the New Zealand Indian Business Association, acknowledged Lee's efforts in managing the ethnic communities' portfolio.
"She made significant contributions during her tenure as the minister for ethnic communities, particularly in publishing a comprehensive report on ethnic communities," Kandhari said.
"Her work laid a foundation for important discussions on diversity and inclusion."
Former National MP Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, who entered Parliament with Lee in 2008, called her "exceptional in [her] ability to connect with the broader ethnic communities, fostering understanding and inclusion".
"I believe the PM has made this decision on its merits. He has rightfully acknowledged the significant contributions Melissa Lee made as the minister of ethnic communities," Singh said.
"Mark Mitchell, as the new ethnic communities minister, will bring his own strengths to the role. I am confident that he will be a strong advocate for ethnic communities and continue building on the foundations set by his predecessor."
Similar sentiments were expressed by Lois Yee, vice president of the New Zealand Chinese Association, who also shared a desire to work with Mitchell "to realise a vibrant, cohesive and inclusive Aotearoa New Zealand".
Meanwhile, Feng, whose organisation primarily works in the mental health space, wants Mitchell to take a wholistic view of the issues faced by ethnic communities in New Zealand.
"The new minister of ethnic communities, who is also the minister of police, will definitely have a better understanding of law and order, which is one of the major issues for ethnic communities," Feng said.
"But our hope is for Minister Mitchell to engage with the ethnic communities at a wider level, and look at other issues such as mental health, bullying in schools, and discrimination, which affects us disproportionately."
Agunlejika said New Zealand's ethnic communities needed "someone with an in-depth understanding of the community needs and aspirations, and the complexities within the ethnic communities".
"I think Mike Mitchell's relationship with New Zealand Police Ethnic Advisory Group might help," Agunlejika said. "But, in 2025, I don't think the appointment is reflective of the community, although [the appointment] might be the right experience needed."
Mitchell said he was honoured to take on the ethnic communities' portfolio.
"Law and order remain a significant issue for ethnic communities, and I welcome the opportunity to bring these portfolios [police and ethnic communities] together," Mitchell said.
"Ethnic communities make a huge economic and cultural contribution, and I look forward to continuing to engage with a range of communities in this new role.
"I will spend the coming weeks getting up to speed with the challenges and opportunities, before setting out my priorities."
Luxon told RNZ on Sunday that Lee had committed to staying on as a National MP to the 2026 election "at this point".
