Kia ora
Woah! After two and a half years of few public events and limited social connections with the wider community due to Covid, we have finally remembered what the 'old' normal used to be like when stuff was actually happening - and it's a great kind of hectic!
Multicultural Nelson Tasman staff and Board have either attended (or helped organise) more than 13 events in the last few weeks, we've danced, eaten, sung, smiled and enjoyed: a Multicultural Pot Luck Dinner with Welcoming Communities in Motueka, China Week, the Nepalese Community Dashain Festival, Garba Night, Colombian and Latin American events (x3!), the Karenni Deeku event, the Ukraine Art Auction Fundraiser, Kai and Korero, the MYNTIES Outdoor Movie Night with Tasman District Council, Diwali Celebrations (x2!) and Random Acts of Kindness with MYNTIES at the Coastal View Retirement Village. Phew!! That's a lot of stuff and I've likely forgotten some...
One thing is for certain, when we attend these events and see our communities in Whakatū celebrating, championing and retaining their cultural traditions and festivals here in Aotearoa with such energy and pure enjoyment, it definitely brings about that enormous sense of wellbeing that comes through social connectedness, which we have missed sorely during the pandemic.
We're in a privileged position to be guests at many of our communities' special celebrations and the hospitality is amazing. While we know that some are a more private celebration to enjoy, many of our communities equally want to share their traditions with the wider Nelson community wherever possible, to show others what they value, what they believe in, how they like to have fun and what special occasions they like to mark and why.
These kinds of opportunities all help foster social cohesion and underpin our enduring kaupapa of Unity in Diversity: kotahitanga i roto i te kanorau.
Ngā mihi nui,
The Team at Multicultural Nelson Tasman.
Staff and some of the MNT Board members with Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon, at the launch of China Week on September 28th
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| MULTICULTURAL NELSON TASMAN NEWS |
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Kai and Kōrero - Arabian Cuisine
We had our second Kai and Kōrero with Mona on the 1st of October at The Food Factory. Mona did a great job of teaching everyone how to make the perfect Dolma and participants enjoyed interacting and preparing the Dolma with vine leaves, as well as making the dip and salad. Mona also served a very soothing saffron coffee which was specially imported from Saudi Arabia, along with yummy dates.
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Next Kai and Kōrero - Learn To Cook Moroccan
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Shared Communities - Engagement Report Available
The Shared Communities report is now available (click here for a digital version). The aim of this initial engagement was to find out about the ways that migrant and former refugee communities would like celebrate their arts, culture and heritage, and what some of the barriers are that may be preventing them from doing this. The report was initiated by a consortium that includes Multicultural Nelson Tasman, MakeShift Spaces, Nelson City Council (and libraries) and Nelson Arts Council. Looking ahead, the Consortium hopes that leadership will be secured from the migrant and former refugee communities to make some of the ideas a reality moving forward.
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Latin America and Spain Film Festival opens... and continues...
True to their promise from their remotely-delivered speech back in 2021, the Peruvian Embassy representatives turned up in-person to the opening night of the Latin America and Spain Film Festival on 30 September, with double the amount of delicious pisco sours in hand. Around 100 people came to the opening, which was held at Putangitangi Greenmeadows Centre, and watched the Peruvian film "Mataindios".
The completely free film festival continues this month and next and showcases a range of 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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Multicultural Nelson Tasman together with Nelson Women's Centre are pleased to offer a "Diverse Women's Walk" as part of the month-long "Step Into Spring" Walking festival running across the region this season. We invite women of all ages, stages and backgrounds to don some bright clothes and come for a stroll around beautiful Isel Park, following by some nibbles, drinks and conversation.
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Registrations for Multicultural Festival and Tasman Asian Night Food Fair (TANFF) 2023 are Now Open!
We are now accepting registrations for vendors and performers for both Summer events 2023.
Tasman Asian Night Food Fair
Saturday, 11 February 2023 from 4pm-9pm, Washbourn Gardens, Richmond.
Vendor and Performer registration form
Terms and Conditions form (for Vendors only)
Multicultural Festival
Sunday, 19 March 2023 from 11 am to 4 pm, Founders Heritage Park, Nelson.
Please register if you or your community are interested in performing or having a food or information stall at the MF2023
Performer registration form
Vendor registration form
Terms and Conditions form (for vendors only)
We will acknowledge your registration and confirm your participation through email once you have registered with us.
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| - MULTICULTURAL YOUTH NELSON TASMAN - |
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MYNTies Outdoor Movie Night!
Our Multicultural Youth Nelson Tasman organised an outdoor movie night last Friday at the Washbourn Gardens in partnership with Tasman District Council.
In keeping with the theme of the Colombian-based movie Encanto that was shown, There were Latin-American food carts, Zumba, Cumbia, games and a lot of fun activities planned too. The turnout was huge and we are so glad it brought many communities together to share some fun and laughter on a relaxing Spring evening.
Thanks to Tasman District Council for funding and support and to Timezone Nelson and Pridewear for sponsoring prizes.
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"Random Acts of Kindness Day" by MYNT
MYNTies celebrated "Random Acts of Kindness Day" with the residents of Coastal View Retirement Village and spent some quality time with them. They brought some food from different countries to share and also enjoyed doing some interactive games with the residents. Girls from the Nelson Malayalee Community also did some lovely dance performances.
MYNTies shared some sweet greeting cards with their own words and wishes for the residents, and they were so happy to receive them.
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We are recruiting new members for MYNT!
Do you want to empower other young people to thrive in an environment of diversity, unity and acceptance? Do you want to help us make Nelson Tasman a paradise of unity? Do you have children that would like to get involved with the MYNTies? Get in touch with us if you require more information or want to join the group!
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The Spirit of Colombian Culture comes to Victory!
Nelson Colombian Community Trust organised their "Colombian Integration and Cultural Expression" event on 24th of September at the Victory Square. There was face-painting for kids, a sneak preview of the Colombian float for the upcoming Santa Parade, catchy cumbia tunes from Transandinos, traditional dance displays and delicious empanadas and arepas.
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Sopita Pa' Todos - Integration Event for Latin American Community
The Aotearoa Latin American Community (ALAC) Nelson Branch also organised an integration event for the Latin American community here on September 26th at the Victory Community Centre.
It was a hugely fun night with music, dance and food (soup for all), and also a chance to share information about the services that ALAC offers to the community in Nelson.
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Garba Dance Night for Navaratri
It was a pleasure to be invited to the Garba dance night organised for the Navaratri Festival by members of the Indian (Gujarati) Community in Nelson. Their night of dancing, festivities and food was held at the Hampden Street School Hall on October 1st.
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Dashain with Nelson's Nepalese Community
The most important hindu festival for those from Nepal, Dashain is a time for family reunions, the exchange of gifts and blessings, and elaborate pujas. Our Nepalese Community in Nelson celebrated Dashain on the 8th of October, at a beautifully-organised event which was held at old St John's Hall in Hardy Street.
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DIWALI 2022
One of the most popular Hindu festivals, Diwali, was very well-celebrated in Nelson this year.
The Fijian-Indian community who are part of Nelson Sanatan Ramayan Mandli held their event on October 15th at the Trafalgar Hall. It was a huge success and their first time pulling together an event like this for their community.
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Diwali was also celebrated with the wider Indian and local community at an event held at Founder's Park on October 16th. There was a wide range of delicious food on offer, performances, music and a wonderful opportunity to catch up with friends.
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Support Ukraine Art Auction
The Tautoko Ukraine Group would like to express their gratitude to all volunteers and supporters and sponsors involved in the Support Ukraine Charitable Auction event which was held on October 6th at the Nelson Centre of Musical Arts. They raised nearly $8000 for humanitarian efforts in Ukraine, which was an amazing result.
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Multicultural New Zealand AGM
MNT Board member Marie Lindaya attended the Multicultural NZ AGM in late September. The AGM was held in Wellington and was attended by representatives from all the Regional Multicultural Councils around Aotearoa.
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A Message from Interpreting NZ Nelson Tasman Branch
Kia Ora, My name is Sanam Mukhtar and I am the Regional Manager of Interpreting New Nelson Marlborough. Interpreting New Zealand is a not-for-profit incorporated society operating
across New Zealand. It was established in 1993 as the Wellington Community Interpreting
Service. We are a social enterprise (not government-funded), so we charge fees for providing interpreters, allowing us to keep investing in training. Interpreting NZ strives for people in New Zealand to have access to interpreting services of the highest professional and ethical standards. We offer a range of services including:
- 24-hour, 7-day a week accessibility, including public holidays
- a pool of trained, New Zealand-based interpreters who are familiar with local agencies, nuances of language and ways of working
- approximately 75 community languages including New Zealand Sign Language
- interpreters bound by a Code of Ethics ensuring confidentiality, impartiality and accuracy
- on-site interpreting, particularly but not exclusively, in Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch, Dunedin and Auckland
- telephone or video conference interpreting
- mandatory, comprehensive and high-quality training and assessment for all prospective interpreters
- monitoring of the performance of the interpreters and provision of ongoing professional development
- well-established community networks which enable the most culturally appropriate interpreter to be chosen for each situation
- training for professionals in the effective use of interpreter
I am here to help. Please reach out to me if you need further information. I am happy to share more details with you. M: 022 412 0163 | E: nelson@interpret.org.nz
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Upcoming Events From Our Friends
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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) T: 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 bi-culturalism, and the richness and benefits that a multicultural society brings. We advocate for 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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