India is known for its unity in diversity. A mini-Europe, sort of, with hundreds of languages spoken, every prominent religion practised, and cuisine and culture differing from region to region. That’s why when Indians move abroad, even while forming pan-Indian identity denoting associations, region-specific organisations are also very common. Like in Auckland, while there’s a New Zealand Indian Central Association, but there’s a Tamil Association as well.
Read MoreLast week, Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway announced major changes to post-study work rights, which he claimed will help ensure international students coming to New Zealand gain in-demand skills for the country’s economic growth, incentivise study in the regions and help reduce the risk of student exploitation; The New Zealand Education Strategy 2018-2030 was launched at the New Zealand International Education Conference on August 9.
Read MoreWhile no one knows the authenticity of claims that Chinese buyers are driving up the Auckland housing prices, Chinese builders and financiers are contributing massively to KiwiBuild projects, that’s for sure. This assertion was made by Labour MP Raymond Ho on the sidelines of his office opening in Maungakiekie on August 9.
Read MoreIn an event where Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Minister for Ethnic Communities and MP for Mt Roskill, Michael Wood, seems like “the token white guy” - his own words – New Zealand’s diversity would be amply demonstrated. Such was the case on August 10, at the opening of Labour Party’s new office in Maungakiekie, where three of the Party’s MPs - Priyanca Radhakrishnan, Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki, and Raymond Ho, will now be based.
Read MoreA widely-believed misconception in New Zealand is that, outside Auckland, there's not much diversity or multiculturalism. You just have to look at the year-round happenings of the affiliated organisations of Multicultural New Zealand (MNZ), of which there are many, to see that it is not true. There are 23 regional multicultural councils, and 35 regional New Zealand newcomers network, under the umbrella of MNZ, which celebrate Aotearoa's diversity 24/7, 365 days.
Read MoreTo be published every alternate Wednesday, this newspaper aims to be your definitive guide to all things ethnic and multicultural in New Zealand. At last count, Aotearoa had 213 ethnic groups calling it home. Unfortunately though, inspite of all the good intentions of average Kiwis, and efforts put in by government, ethnic communities in New Zealand still feel "alienated", "left out", or "voiceless".
Read MoreThe immigration system of New Zealand, with all its rules and regulations, needs to be fair and consistent. Right now, it is too much dependent on the officials, who use their discretion while applying these norms. This was the most common complaint that Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway faced on July 18, when he fronted up to a Q and A session with ethnic communities in Christchurch.
Read MoreThe OIA and LGOIMA are laws in New Zealand that allow people to ask for official information held by Ministers and central and local government agencies (agencies). These laws set out how agencies should handle requests for information and give a right to anyone not happy with the result to complain to the Ombudsman.
Read MoreEnglish Language Partners teach English, but with a difference. We teach English needed for settlement. In other words, we provide the language so people can participate in any way they wish in life in Aotearoa. It’s learning English, and so much more. Our origins with the home tutoring programme are belied by our former name - ESOL Home Tutors.
Read MoreOrganised by three community organisations, the Eid Carnival held in Christchurch on June 16, at the Lincoln Events Centre, was a huge success. The evening event, which culminated with the end of Ramadan, was made possible by the tireless efforts of volunteers and office bearers of the Canterbury Muslim Community Trust (CMCT), Muslim Association of Canterbury (MAC), and National Islamic Sister Assembly (NISA).
Read MoreComing to New Zealand as a migrant is a very exciting new challenge, but also a very brave move as you step into a new country with its own unique culture. You bring with you your own cultural nuances, values and language. The norms you have known all of your life need adjustment to assimilate into your new homeland, so change is inevitable, otherwise why have you come to this country?
Read MoreThe Christchurch Multicultural Strategy, launched last year, is a commitment by the Council to provide a framework and a set of goals and actions to ensure every single person in Christchurch feels a sense of belonging. It will also give everyone in Christchurch an equal opportunity to access the Council's services, information, as well as participating in the decision-making process.
Read MoreDedicated to supporting the settlement of migrants, refugees and returning kiwis into the region, Auckland Regional Migrant Services Trust’s (ARMS) initiatives and services are developed with connecting communities, promoting inclusion and community harmony in mind. Since 2003, the Trust’s team of staff, volunteers and community partners have provided specialist settlement, orientation, training and employment services for over 30,000 clients.
Read MoreSupported with funding from NZ On AIR and owned by the Canterbury Communications Trust not-for-profit access radio station, Plains FM, has provided the means for a huge variety of community groups, organisations, educational institutions and individuals to have a voice in the media since 1988.
Read MoreIsolation and a lack of English are among the issues facing people of migrant and refugee background in Canterbury, according to qualitative research from the All Right? campaign. The research consisted of six two-hour long discussion groups and in-depth interviews with people from refugee and migrant communities in Christchurch. Participants came from a range of countries including Somalia, Sudan, Korea, China and Bhutan.
Read MoreAs diversity consultants, we get the opportunity to work with a range of private and public sector organisations, many of whom are at different stages of evolution when it comes to D&I practice. For the last couple of months, we have been fortunate enough to work alongside the Department of Conservation (DOC) to deliver Unconscious Bias Awareness Training.
Read More"The Ministry for Pacific Peoples works closely with Pacific communities to maintain and promote heritage languages. Part of this work is the Ministry’s support for Pacific Language Weeks, which have grown significantly since Samoan Language Week was first celebrated in 2007.”
Read MoreAmerica Rex is a story about power, politics and personalities colliding in an epic drama that calls for a return to indigenous ways of knowing and belonging. Led by a diverse cast of New Zealand talent this is multi-disciplinary collaborative production that invites the audience to imagine a different present - or relinquish ourselves to an inevitable future.
Read MoreWith more migrants arriving every year, how is New Zealand embracing diversity and integrating with migrants to make this country truly multicultural and inclusive? There is no data and insights about migrants once they arrive into New Zealand.
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