Professor Edwina Pio, Professor of Diversity and University Director of Diversity at Auckland University of Technology (AUT), has been appointed as an Officer of the New Zealand of Merit (ONZM) for services to ethnic communities.

“In today’s rapidly changing world with diverse demographics exponentially increasing, working with and for ethnic communities and the grace and talents they bring is crucially significant. I will continue to offer my best,” Prof Pio said.

Professor Edwina Pio is an internationally respected management expert in the field of diversity and is New Zealand’s first and only Professor of Diversity at the Auckland University of Technology (AUT) Business School, where she has impacted policies and practices since 2002.

She is Chair of the Academic Advisory Board of Te Kupenga Catholic Theological College. She was involved with the Human Rights Commission in New Zealand to develop guidelines for religion in the workplace.

She has published extensively on reconceptualising workplace diversity.

Professor Pio’s 2014 book ‘Work and Worship’ investigates the impact of minority religions in the New Zealand workplace and how business leaders welcome this growing community.

Her 2008 book ‘Sari’ and 2010 book ‘Longing and Belonging’ encompass the immigration experiences of Asian, Middle Eastern, Latin American and African peoples in New Zealand.

Professor Pio has worked with the Ministry for Ethnic Communities and the New Zealand Police and has provided pro-bono services to migrants as a registered counsellor.

She is a member of the Ministerial Advisory Group on the Government’s Response to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the 2019 terrorist attack on Christchurch Mosques.