Multiculturalism and its relevance to 21st century New Zealand

NZFMC is a Volunteer umbrella body with its 19 member Regional Multicultural Councils from around the country, and including a national Youth, Women and Senior Citizens councils . Through its member Councils the federation has a reach to most cities of New Zealand from the far North of the North Island to the far South of the South Island. NZFMC plays an important role in enabling greater self-sufficiency among New Zealand’s migrant and ethnic communities by connecting with each other, connecting across other community groups and working with NGOs and government agencies. The Federation and its member Councils contribution and promotion has led to significant improvements through policy and other means to the improvements to the settlement experience of migrants and refugees in New Zealand. Their members are strong supporters and committed participants of the Diversity Forum. NZFMC has led the debate for a Multicultural framework for New Zealand, now for nearly 5 years. The framework that has been proposed is to support a Treaty based multicultural society.

At this forum, NZFMC President Tayo Agunlejika and Dr. James Liu, Deputy Director of Centre for Applied Cross-cultural Research Centre, Victoria University will present perspectives on a Treaty based multiculturalism and invite attendees to express views, raise questions and provide suggestions. This session will be facilitated by Pancha Narayanan, a past president of NZFMC and initiator of proposed Multicultural Act framework. The forum will be of particular interest to members of other NGOs, central and local government, community workers, community and ethnic groups.

Date: Monday 22 August
Time: 1.30 pm – 3.00 pm Venue: Arena Lounge, Claudelands Event & Conference Centre, Hamilton

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Tauranga, Rotorua & Waikato Multicultural Councils

There are 19 multicultural councils in centres throughout New Zealand, stretching from Auckland to Invercargill. In the Waikato Bay of Plenty region there are councils in Hamilton, Tauranga and Rotorua. Each council provides a range of activities and services for their diverse communities. Activities include potluck dinners, multicultural festivals, exhibitions, clinics, sports tournaments, citizenship ceremonies, social groups, language classes, tree plantings and participation in national diversity events such as Waitangi Day, Race Relations Day, Maori Language Week and Samoan Language Week.

At this forum, members of Rotorua, Waikato and Tauranga Multicultural councils will profile their activities and programmes and discuss the practical challenges as voluntary community groups of supporting diversity, inclusion, participation, settlement, integration and intercultural understanding. The forum will be of particular interest to members of other multicultural councils, local government, community workers and community and ethnic groups.

Date: Sunday 21 August
Time: 3.30 pm – 5.00 pm Venue: Brooklyn 2, Claudelands Event & Conference Centre, Hamilton

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