Festivals and Events for Race Relations Day

New Zealand Federation of Ethnic Councils Inc.

PRESS RELEASE

Friday, March 06, 2009

Multicultural Councils Hold Festivals and Events for Race Relations Day

Many thousands of New Zealanders throughout the country will attend cultural festivals and events organized by the Federation of Ethnic Councils this month to mark Race Relations Day.

The festivals are among the largest multi-cultural events that take place in centres such as Tauranga, New Plymouth, Pukekohe, Hutt City, North Shore and Nelson.

The Timaru Multi-ethnic Council will again be holding an international dinner which was attended by a capacity crowd of 450 last year. The new multicultural council in Oamaru is holding its first multicultural concert where Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres will be guest speaker.

There will also be potluck dinners and other events organised by multicultural councils in Dunedin, Invercargill, Gore and Wanganui. Federation of Ethnic Councils President Pancha Narayanan said that the Federation has for a number of years been a principal partner with the Human Rights Commission in celebrating New Zealand’s cultural diversity on Race Relations Day. “We are proud to be working with the Commission and many other community organisations to make this a special day, in our nation’s annual calendar, for all New Zealanders”.

This year’s Race Relations Day theme is “Kia Ora Neighbour: People in Your Neighbourhood”. Details of other events are available on the Human Rights Commission’s Race Relations Day Festivals and Events page. Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres welcomed the Federation’s contribution to Race Relations Day. “I am particularly pleased to see the further extension of Race Relations Day activities to new centres, and am looking forward to joining in the first ever Race Relations Day event in Oamaru”.

The Federation and the Commission take this opportunity to thank the many community groups that are contributing to the respective endeavours in their local communities.

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