Viva Eclectika 2018
Viva Eclectika 2018

The biennial Viva Eclectika Intercultural Music and Dance performance is presented by New Zealand Asia Association (NZAA) Incorporated. With the Late Right Reverend Sir Paul Reeves as its Patron, the association has been presenting the event for over 10 years now. In recognition of NZAA’s outstanding contribution to diversity in Aotearoa New Zealand, it was presented by the New Zealand Diversity Action Award in 2014, by the then Governor General  Sir Jerry Mateparae. This year the event was held on July 28, in Auckland.

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Music and DanceMulticultural TimesComment
Wellington’s international accessibility needs to improve: Mayor Justin Lester
Wellington’s international accessibility needs to improve: Mayor Justin Lester

The Mayor made this observation at the formal launch event of fifth India NZ Business Council (INZBC) Summit, which will be held on September 28, in Auckland, and will focus on aviation, tourism and technology. Addressing the gathering in the capital on August 7, the mayor while commenting on the need for Wellington to increase international linkage, noted, “ Singapore Airlines has done this through a link to Wellington via Melbourne but more would be better.

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Travel and LifestyleMulticultural TimesComment
Local talent showcased at ISCC mid-winter event
Local talent showcased at ISCC mid-winter event

The 350-odd audience who attended the Midwinter Talent Show organised by the Christchurch-based Indian Social and Cultural Club on August 4, were treated to some amazing performances, including 18 different song and dance sequences. Whether it was a song by a five year young performer, or one of the energetic group dance performances, or a classical dance - the audience were thoroughly entertained, and kept engaged throughout the show.

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Music and DanceMulticultural TimesComment
Volunteering provides pathway to paid work
Volunteering provides pathway to paid work

Whangarei migrants Vinkal Gaur and Astrid Kelly found that volunteering helped them successfully find paid work. International Northtec student Vinkal Guar came to New Zealand in 2017 to study a degree in sport. He wanted to build networks and applied for advertised jobs but found the lack of response frustrating. “I applied for jobs,” he says, “but I never heard back.” 

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News you can useMulticultural TimesComment
Spike in number of women applying to become firefighters
Spike in number of women applying to become firefighters

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is hailing a spike in the number of women applying to become firefighters. “With 12 days to go till the current round of recruitment closes, 75 women have completed applications to enter our recruitment pool,” said Fire and Emergency Recruitment Manager Rochelle Martin adding, "That’s the highest number we’ve ever had, but we’d like to see even more women putting their names forward. Presently only 4 percent of firefighters are female.

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RecruitmentMulticultural TimesComment
National public education strategy for CALD communities by 2019: Civil Defence
National public education strategy for CALD communities by 2019: Civil Defence

The Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management (MCDEM) has enlisted the support and advice of Auckland Emergency Management as it develops a new national public education strategy for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities, which is due to be released early next year. The ministry is also providing funding support to a joint project by the Christchurch City Council and Plains FM 96.9 – a community access radio station based there - to develop foreign language emergency messaging for radio.

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A better NZMulticultural TimesComment
Book: Does Britain owe India reparations for its colonial rule?
Book: Does Britain owe India reparations for its colonial rule?

As India celebrated its 72nd independence day this month, the country also debated whether Britain owes reparations to world's largest democracy for its almost 200 years of colonial rule that ended on August 15, 1947. Actually the debate (re)started with former minister of state for external affairs Shashi Tharoor dismantling the myth of Britishers being “benevolent colonial masters” at an Oxford Union (UK) debate few years back.

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BooksMulticultural TimesComment
Organisations come together to celebrate India's 72nd Independence Day; Chch celebrates too
Organisations come together to celebrate India's 72nd Independence Day; Chch celebrates too

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.

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MulticulturalismMulticultural TimesComment
Education: changes to post-study work rights; international education strategy released; varsity enrolment increases
Education: changes to post-study work rights; international education strategy released; varsity enrolment increases

Last 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.

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EducationMulticultural TimesComment
Migrants are here to make New Zealand better: Labour MP Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki
Migrants are here to make New Zealand better: Labour MP Anahila Kanongata'a-Suisuiki

In 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.

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A better NZMulticultural TimesComment
A snapshot of New Zealand's diversity...
A snapshot of New Zealand's diversity...

A 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.

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Diversity & InclusionMulticultural Times54 Ponsonby RoadComment
New Zealand is changing. So should the business of story-telling.
New Zealand is changing. So should the business of story-telling.

To 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".

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Over a cuppaMulticultural Times54 Ponsonby RoadComment
Immigration system needs to be consistent, minister told in Chch
Immigration system needs to be consistent, minister told in Chch

The 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.

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ImmigrationMulticultural Times54 Ponsonby Road Comment
Eid Carnival brings people together in Christchurch
Eid Carnival brings people together in Christchurch

Organised 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).

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MulticulturalismMulticultural TimesComment
Do your research when dealing with immigration specialists: NZAMI
Do your research when dealing with immigration specialists: NZAMI

Coming 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?

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News you can useMulticultural TimesComment
Christchurch Multicultural Strategy, 'Our future together' - one year on
Christchurch Multicultural Strategy, 'Our future together' - one year on

The 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.

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Diversity & InclusionMulticultural Times54 Ponsonby RoadComment