This year's AGM was again held at the Brentwood Hotel in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington.    

After the mihi whakatau and housekeeping we began the weekend with a governance training session, Whai Wāhi Pai (positive and thoughtful engagement and civic participation). This session was led by Matua Tiipene Philip, the kaumātua who had welcomed us onto Hakatere Marae in August.  

Next was a panel session with partner agency updates featuring Disability Rights Commissioner Prudence Walker from Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission, Pratima Namasivayam from the Ministry for Ethnic Communities, and Imogen Prickett from Welcoming Communities.  

After lunch was our second panel, working together, featuring NZ Police Superintendent Rakesh Naidoo.  

The afternoon commenced with the AGM proper, where the incumbent Executive Committee were re-elected, and the Professor Kuan Goh Community Service Award recipients were announced.  

On Saturday evening the Grand Community Dinner & Awards were held. Outstanding volunteer work was recognised with the MNZ Merit Awards, MNZ Life Memberships, and the Ann Dysart Distinguished Service Awards bestowed. 

This year's awardees: 

Professor Kuan Goh Community Service Award: 

Christchurch Multicultural Council:  Nancy Goh, Archna Tandon, and Emmie King. 

Hakatere Multicultural Council:  Selwyn Price.  

Hutt Multicultural Council:  Saritha Shetty and Lesley Chu. 

Marlborough Multicultural Centre:  Clare Bowes and Wendy Iguaran. 

Murihiku Southland District Multicultural Council: Tushnica Dissanayake.  

Multicultural Nelson Tasman:  Mary Bronsteter.  

Multicultural Council of Rangitīkei/Whanganui:  Sandiya Bandara and Carla Donson.  

Tairāwhiti Multicultural Council:  Kathleen Labardo and Thaveet Kumar.  

Upper Hutt Multicultural Council:  Jane Braun and Yuko Kondo.  

Waikato Multicultural Council:  Jeanie Holland.  

Multicultural Council of Wellington:  Ras Judah Seomeng and Luiggi Riccio.  

MNZ Merit Award: 

Hakatere Multicultural Council: Thelma Bell.  

Hutt Multicultural Council: Prachee Gokhale.  

Tairāwhiti Multicultural Council: Meredith Stewart.  

Waikato Multicultural Council: Anil Gupta.  

Waitaki Multicultural Council: Socorro Laraga.  

Multicultural Council of Wellington: Rehan Badar.  

MNZ Life Membership: 

Multicultural Council of Rangitīkei/Whanganui: Pushpa Prasad 

Taupō Multicultural Community Council: Elena Conaglen 

Multicultural Council of Wellington: Channa Ranasinghe 

The Ann Dysart Distinguished Service Award: 

Aroha Award: Saunoamaali'i Doctor Karanina Sumeo 

Kōrero Awhi Award: Professor James Liu  

Mana Manaaki Award: Commissioner Andrew Coster 

Tikanga Award: Ravinder Powar  

It is noted with sadness that Professor James Liu's award was bestowed posthumously, and we would like to offer our condolences to his family, along with thanks for the work he has gifted to the Federation in the past few years.  

Condolences also to the family of Panth Daroch of Auckland City Multicultural Council. Panth was due to attend this AGM as a delegate and his sudden passing was a shock to us all.  

He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata  

What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people