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NEWSLETTER September 2022
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Kia ora
All of us would agree that the past few weeks have been more than challenging for our region due to the extreme weather event that hit us in August. Our hearts are with those in our community who suffered property damage in the floods and slips and we sincerely hope that the recovery and return to normality does not take too long for those people and for Te Tau Ihu.
Of course, it was not long after our deluge that Pakistan was also hit by floods on an absolutely unprecedented scale - further on in this newsletter you can find a way to donate to this cause via the Pakistan Association of NZ.
With warmer weather (and hopefully drier days) ahead of us, we're looking forward to our summer festivals and are pleased to announce a brand new event on the calendar, which will thrill our cricket-loving communities. The first ever Multicultural Cricket Day will take place on Sunday March 12th at Victory Square - kicking off a week of events with the Multicultural Football Tournament and Multicultural Festival both taking place the following weekend. We know that many in our diverse communities live and breathe for cricket - so start getting your teams together now!
Later this month will see the ever-popular Latin America and Spain Film Festival (LASFF) returning to our region for the third time. Organiser Pablo Salas has done a great job of ensuring the films are spread further afield for 2022, with free screenings planned for Nelson, Mapua and Richmond. You can find the complete list here. The Peruvian Ambassador His Excellency Mr Jose Emilio Bustinza will open the festival on 30 September and films will run through until November 12 at various locations.
The Support Ukraine Art Auction which was to be held on on August 25th to raise money for humanitarian aid efforts in Ukraine was rescheduled to October 6th due to the severe weather event.
The auction (with more than 40 donated art works) will take place at the Nelson Centre of Musical Arts and a $25 ticket will get you drinks, nibbles and a chance to bid on some amazing pieces, as well as some performances and updated information about the situation in Ukraine currently. Tickets are still available here.
Ngā mihi nui,
The Team at Multicultural Nelson Tasman.
"If we wish to ensure everyone’s peace and happiness we need to cultivate a healthy respect for the diversity of our peoples and cultures, founded on an understanding of this fundamental sameness of all human beings" Dalai Lama.
Ramiesha and Anna celebrate the arrival of King Maveli
(aka Blint Varghese) at Onam Festival 2022
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| MULTICULTURAL NELSON TASMAN |
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Continuing Engagement with NZ Police
In mid-August, Multicultural Nelson Tasman hosted a visit from NZ Police representatives Superintendent Rakesh Naidoo (Police National Partnerships Manager - Ethnic) and Yumi Nguyen (Principal Partnerships Advisor – Ethnic). The visit provided a good opportunity for communities and agencies to connect with police management at a national level and to talk about some of the issues for our communities, and what further engagement would be useful from Police.
Those present were interested in hearing more about Te Raranga - The Weave (Hate Crime Programme) and also about how to pathway young people from diverse communities who may be interested in pursuing a career with the Police. We will look to hold a recruitment information event with Police for communities/young people before the end of the school year.
After a significant gap, our region also looks forward to welcoming a new Ethnic Liaison Officer back into post soon and we will keep you updated once we know more.
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Kai and Korero - Indonesian event
We had our first Multicultural Kai and Korero of the year on Saturday, 1 September at The Food Factory Nelson. Thanks to Mini and Feni from IndoNelson for the amazing facilitation of Indonesian cuisine. Everyone who attended got the chance to be involved in the food preparation and it was not only about cooking, but also a great chance to hear stories and insight from Mini and Feni about the diverse cultures from their home country of Indonesia.
Interesting fact, Indonesia's national motto is "Bhinekka Tunggal Ika" (Unity in Diversity) - the same as ours here at MNT!
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Next Kai and Korero - learn to cook Arabic cuisine with Mona
If you missed the Indonesia event, don't worry - there's more! Our next Kai and Korero will be Arabic Cuisine with Mona. This will be held on Saturday, 1 October from 12.30 pm to 3.30 pm at the Food Factory, 11 Findlay Place, Stoke, Nelson.
If you are keen to be a part of it, please register at admin@multiculturalnt.co.nz to reserve your space. The cost is $30 per person, which covers everything.
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Latin America and Spain Film Festival Returns for 2022!
The Latin America and Spain Film festival (LASFF) visits Nelson for the third time shortly and kicks off on Friday September 30th with a special opening event featuring a film from Peru and the presence of the Peruvian Ambassador, His Excellency, Mr Jose Emilio Bustinza Soto. There are limited (free) tickets available to the opening festivities - which will be held at Pūtangitangi Greenmeadows Centre.
LASFF is a cultural event dedicated to contemporary cinematographic productions from Latin America and Spain. It is also a non-profit event which aims to bring together Latin America, Spain and other New Zealand communities through the big screen.
Multicultural Nelson Tasman together with Nelsonson Dance & Entertainment, are proud to be supporting this event again for 2022. Films will run through until November and you can find the entire schedule here.
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Morning Tea for Newcomers
We organised a small morning tea event last month for the newcomers to our region. It was a great opportunity to share stories and get to know each other while having a cup of tea and some kai.
We hope to organise more such events to welcome our newcomers and support them in many ways.
If you are new to Nelson and would like to get in touch with us, email at admin@multiculturalnt.co.nz and also follow Nelson Newcomers Network.
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| - MULTICULTURAL YOUTH NELSON TASMAN - |
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It is always great to have MYNTies holding their meetings at our office - they bring a huge amount of energy and enthusiasm with them.
At the moment, they are planning their "Random Acts of Kindness" project for September. This time the MYNTies will be visiting another retirement village in Nelson to spend some quality time with the residents there. They are planning to share some food from various countries, do a few performances and other activities and games.
MYNTies are also planning an outdoor movie night which will be held on Friday, 14 October at the Washbourn Gardens in Richmond. It is going to be another exciting event with lots of fun and kai for our youth in the Nelson Tasman region.
Follow Multicultural Youth Nelson Tasman for more updates on these events.
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A Happy Onam with Nelson's Malayalee Community
Nelson's Malayalee Community (who primarily come from Kerala state in India) celebrated the harvest festival of Onam in a joyous way this month, starting the day with preparation of pookkalam (flower carpet) around 7.30am and followed up with plenty of energetic games to engage those from the very young, to the young-at-heart. There was also plenty of dancing, singing and entertainment on stage - showing off the wide talents of this community.
The hero of the festival (King Māveli, also known as Mahabali) was loudly welcomed to the celebrations around midday. Around 260 people attended the function which was held at the Trafalgar Centre on September 4th. The event concluded with a delicious (and colourful) traditional lunch (Onam Sadya).
You can find a wrap-up video of the Nelson Onam event here
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Support Ukraine Art Auction - new date!
Following the flooding event in Nelson, this art auction was rescheduled and will now take place on October 6.
The ticketed event will be hosted at the Nelson Centre of Musical Arts, from 6pm to 9pm and tickets will be available for purchase online at and at the door at a cost of $25.
Supported by Nelson Centre of Musical Arts John Walker Auctions, Multicultural Nelson Tasman and Nelson City Council.
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To celebrate the opening of China Week, join Special Guest, Meng Foon, Race Relations Commissioner from the Human Rights Commission, who will discuss the evolving cultural mix in New Zealand and in particular focus on the integration of Chinese communities - including his own journey.
Topics will include:
- Confronting racism in local communities
- Difficulties Chinese have integrating into NZ society
- Historical connections between Chinese settlers and Māori
- Synergies between Māori and Chinese cultural practices and traditions
Date: Wednesday 28 September, 2022 - 19:30 - 21:00
Location: Trafalgar Centre Northern End, Paru Paru Road, Nelson, 7010 Register Here
A full schedule of events planned for China Week can be found here
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Cultural Conversations Events
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Pakistan Emergency Flood Appeal
The recent flooding in Pakistan has been absolutely devastating for the country. The Pakistan Assocation of New Zealand (which has a regional branch in Nelson, headed by Sanam Mukhtar) is collecting donations to assist those in need.
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Upcoming Events for Our Communities!
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SPEAK OUT Nelson Tasman
MNT together with Community Law and Nelson Police work together to minimise racist incidents in our community. Speak Out Nelson Tasman (SONT) provides a user-friendly way to report racist incidents. Reports can be made by the victim, a witness or support person on behalf of the victim. Reporting of incidents is important whether or not the victim wants anything done about it as it provides important information to assist the police and other agencies regarding the extent of this problem and ways to address it.
Please do reach out to us if you have any concerns or would like to report anything.
Tel: 0508 (SPEAK OUT)
0508 773 256
For more info, go to our website
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We always appreciate your help
Multicultural Nelson Tasman is an independent charitable organisation that ensures that ethnic migrants and former refugees settle and integrate well, and have opportunities to participate in and contribute to the wider community. Equally, we educate locals and newcomers from different ethnicities to understand each other, learn about and appreciate new Zealand's biculturalism, and the richness and benefits that a multicultural society brings. We advocate unity in diversity.
By becoming a supporter, you'll be helping us to carry out our mahi!
Your participation within our organisation makes the difference! Whatever your age or lifestyle, ethnic background or individual living situation, you can help to make the world a better place and influence the course of society. Your membership, collaboration, insights and/or kind donation will enable us to continue doing our vital work. Only a strong organisation that acts as the voice of many is capable of achieving our common goal! And only through increased funding, we will have the capacity to make this voice heard.
You can support us by becoming a member or simply giving a contribution towards our cause.
Are you an organisation or do you own a local business? You can support us by donating here:
Naku te rourou nau te rourou ka ora ai te iwi -
With your basket and my basket the people will live!
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Thanks to all our wonderful founders and sponsors.
Your support is kindly appreciated.
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