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Ngā mihi o te tau hou! As 2024 draws to a close we reflect on another year of hard work from a Federation of deeply committed people, united by their dedication to enriching the lives of the people in their communities.  This past year has not been an easy one, and we have all been busy dealing with the many massive changes taking place in.. Keep Reading

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... Keep Reading

First launched in 2021, Te Tiriti-based Multicultural Day is a day for bringing your cultural heritage into your daily life through the wearing of cultural attire, the sharing of traditional food and music, the speaking of your mother language, or in any other way you wish to celebrate and acknowledge your whakapapa. Although still young, this... Keep Reading

For our final noho for 2024 we headed to Ashburton to work with Hakatere Multicultural Council in organising a stay at Hakatere Marae on the 10th of August. After the pōwhiri, manuhiri were provided with an historical overview of Ngāi Tahu iwi and tales of the legendary figures Māui and Kupe before learning about te ao Māori (the Māori... Keep Reading

Across the country RMCs once again embraced Matariki this year with celebrations infused with their own cultural flavours.   Christchurch Multicultural Council gathered for their Matariki Festival in Halswell to share cross-cultural stories about the stars, while Waikato Multicultural Council partnered with Earth Diverse to plant... Keep Reading

MNZ's latest NoHo marae stay took place last Saturday the 22nd of June at Murihiku Marae in Invercargill.  After the pōwhiri came kōrero on the history of Māori-Pākehā interaction in the region from the 1790s onward, the impacts of colonialism on the Māori way of life, the Doctrine of Discovery, and Māori Sovereignty. Much local... Keep Reading

MNZ reached an exciting milestone on the 8th of June with the establishment of an office space in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. This office marks our commitment to serving the community, providing support throughout the Auckland region, and to seeking an Auckland perspective on national issues.   The office is a one-year trial and was made... Keep Reading

To coincide with the signing of our refreshed memorandum of understanding, MNZ was invited to provide feedback on the implementation of NZ Police's Ethnic Strategy in Aotearoa New Zealand at a hui on the 6th of June.   Meeting at the Royal New Zealand Police College in Porirua, RMC leaders were asked to share their insights on which aspects.. Keep Reading

On the 18th of May MNZ partnered with Tairāwhiti Multicultural Council for a visit to Te Poho o Rāwiri Marae in Tairāwhiti Gisborne. Despite unforeseen challenges not allowing a full noho, this event was a successful and enriching experience for all involved.  Manuhiri from fifteen different ethnicities gathered for the pōwhiri and were... Keep Reading

"Diversity enriches our understanding of our identity by exposing us to a multitude of perspectives and experiences", said Pancha Narayanan who presented Multicultural NZ Award for Diversity to Caleb Jenkins, a Year 12 from Auckland’s Selwyn College for fostering empathy and understanding of the cultural, ethnic and linguistic diversity of... Keep Reading

Last weekend MNZ held its third noho marae, with 26 people from 12 ethnicities gathered on Saturday morning at the gates of Omaka Marae in Blenheim to experience what was, for most, their first pōwhiri.  The kaupapa of the MNZ Noho Marae programme is to provide new migrants to Aotearoa New Zealand the opportunity to be formally... Keep Reading

SUDAN'S ENTRY INTO THE ACADEMY AWARDS AND Winner of the Un Certain Regard Freedom Prizeat the Cannes Film Festival 2023 GOODBYE JULIA  In NZ cinemas March 14 Across the divides of rich and poor, Muslim and Christian, north and south,light-skinned and dark, Mona and Julia become friends. A film by Mohamed Kordofani  Dir.... Keep Reading

On Saturday the 24th of February, delegates from 18 RMCs converged at the Brentwood Hotel in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington for the MNZ Seniors’ Council Hui 2024.    The hui began with updates from across the motu, emphasising activities for seniors in different regions. Common challenges were identified, such as social isolation and... Keep Reading

The New Zealand Federation of Multicultural Councils hosted its 34th AGM and Community Awards Dinner on the weekend of the 16th – 17th September 2023 in Wellington. Twenty-four regional multicultural councils gathered to recognise the achievements of the past year and evaluate the direction of the Federation going forward.  The... Keep Reading

Multicultural New Zealand held its 34th AGM and Community Awards Dinner over the weekend of the 16th and 17th of September 2023 at the Brentwood Hotel in Kilbirnie, Wellington. Twenty-four Regional Multicultural Councils gathered to celebrate the achievements of the past year and evaluate the direction of the Federation... Keep Reading