Kia ora
When we hold our AGM and compile our Annual Report (and our Impact Report for Multicultural New Zealand), it provides a great opportunity to look back and reflect on all the things we have been doing over the past 18 months or so. For a small and part-time team, we do feel pretty proud of what we have achieved, but we REALLY wouldn't be able to do it without the support of our diverse and committed Board, our amazing youth group, our tireless volunteers, our stakeholders and partners, and the community members who have invested so much trust in us. Additionally, when we hear from those communities (such as in the following email), it motivates us to continue our mahi: "I am writing to express my sincere gratitude on behalf of NMA members for the support and encouragement you have provided us for supporting our community. Your continuous commitment to our cause has been instrumental in helping us make a positive impact in our community."
We now look forward to providing more support and encouragement to multicultural communities in Motueka via our new part-time Community Coordinator. This role was something we had desired to create for a few years - with agencies and service providers expressing to us that Motueka was becoming increasingly diverse, but lacking a central connection point for new migrants. We hope to succeed in this important connector role and see multicultural communities in Motueka visible, thriving, celebrating and retaining their cultures. You can read all about our new staff member Sez Fyfe, further on in the newsletter.
Finally, we'd like to say 'Mānawatia a Matariki' to you all, let's gather, reflect and make wishes for the future.
Ngā mihi,
Anna and Ramiesha
|
|
|
| MULTICULTURAL NELSON TASMAN NEWS |
|
|
|
Multicultural Nelson Tasman - now in Motueka
We now have the "Tasman" covered in Multicultural Nelson Tasman Inc. A big warm welcome to our new Motueka Community Coordinator Sarah "Sez" Fyfe (unrelated to MNT Manager Anna Fyfe).
Sez will be working out of Community House at Decks Reserve on Tuesday morning and Fridays, and we look forward to being able to connect communities and perhaps organise some multicultural events for Motueka!
Having lived in Motueka with her family for twenty years, Sez says she is excited and humbled to have the new position of MNT Motueka Community Coordinator. She believes her community appreciates the variety of cultures coexisting in Motueka and makes an effort to welcome and involve newcomers from around the world..
You can find Sez's full profile on our website: Multicultural Nelson Tasman
|
|
AGM 2023
We had our AGM on 11 May, which was attended by many stakeholder agencies and communities at the Victory Community Centre. Thanks to our Multicultural Youth Group and Pantherapee Sanda from the Burmese Community in Nelson for their amazing performances. Special thanks to Kate Garnyk for some layout help and printing donated by Fujifilm Business Innovation New Zealand (Nelson) for our Annual Report 2022.
Thanks again to everyone who attended to help review and celebrate a very busy year's work.
|
|
|
Police Recruitment Workshop
With the New Zealand Police working proactively to increase the diversity of their staff to better serve our community, MNT was only too happy to assist in jointly holding a recruitment event on June 22 in the Nayland College Hall.
Ethnic Liaison Officer for Tasman District Senior Constable David Cogger, plus Senior Constable James Masters, Sergeant Stephen Mariu and Sergeant David Edwards delivered an informative couple of hours and the event was well-attended by diverse younger (and older) people from Nelson Tasman. The workshop was open to anyone who was interested to find out more about careers with the NZ Police and staff covered three information 'stations' - including an introduction to Police, the various careers within policing and also some practical tests, including a vertical jump and a grip test. It was great to see people from diverse communities interested in future careers with the police.
|
|
|
Police Recruitment Workshop
With the New Zealand Police working proactively to increase the diversity of their staff to better serve our community, MNT was only too happy to assist in jointly holding a recruitment event on June 22 in the Nayland College Hall.
Ethnic Liaison Officer for Tasman District Senior Constable David Cogger, plus Senior Constable James Masters, Sergeant Stephen Mariu and Sergeant David Edwards delivered an informative couple of hours and the event was well-attended by diverse younger (and older) people from Nelson Tasman. The workshop was open to anyone who was interested to find out more about careers with the NZ Police and staff covered three information 'stations' - including an introduction to Police, the various careers within policing and also some practical tests, including a vertical jump and a grip test. It was great to see people from diverse communities interested in future careers with the police.
|
|
|
Tangata Tiriti - Treaty of Waitangi Workshops for migrants and refugees
Te Tiriti O Waitangi (The Treaty of Waitangi) is important for everyone living in Aotearoa,
but many new (and older) migrants don't know very much about it...
Thanks to funding secured from Te Korowai Whetū Social Cohesion Fund (MSD) we were able to roll out Tangata Tiriti (Treaty People) workshops last month, with amazing facilitation by Jen Bennett from Kind Mind Kai.
We held one in English, plus one for Spanish-speaking community members, and the final workshop will be on Saturday July 1 for the Zomi community from Myanmar.
These FREE interactive full-day workshops help people learn more about:
- How we connect to Te Tiriti as people from diverse backgrounds
- The political context - leading to the Declaration in 1835 and the Treaty in 1840
- A history of colonisation: Crown actions and Māori resistance
- Matike Mai: A future vision for Aotearoa
- What Te Tiriti means today: next steps for individuals and organisations
|
|
|
New Sponsorship from NBS!!
This month Multicultural Nelson Tasman was thrilled to become one of the fortunate organisations receiving sponsorship from the Nelson Building Society (NBS). A spokesperson for NBS said they were pleased to financially support MNT with community initiatives and believe the funding will make material difference to the activities of our diverse cultural groups in Nelson Tasman.
MNT will admninister small grants on behalf of NBS - enabling cultural groups in the region to access up to $500 for their community initiative or event, To find out more, please email: admin@multiculturalnt.co.nz
To find out more about NBS visit: https://www.nbs.co.nz/ |
|
More photos from the Multicultural Festival 2023
Here are more photos from the Multicultural Festival 2023 which beautifully showcase our kaupapa, "Unity in Diversity".
Thanks to Rachel Hampton Fine Art for these amazing captures.
|
|
|
Cross Cultural Awareness Workshop
The Nelson-Tasman region is home to people from many different ethnicities who live, work and volunteer together. In our increasingly mobile, globally connected world, the ability to understand the culture and culture-related behaviour is a core skill for successful personal as well as professional interactions.
Increase your Cultural Intelligence to be ready for life in a diverse society.
In this one-day workshop, you will…
 reflect on your own cultural identity and the impact of beliefs and values,
increase your knowledge about culturally related behaviour and gain insight into cultural traits beyond confining stereotypes
get to know models and tools to compare and understand cultures better
learn about appropriate ways to communicate in different settings and minimize misunderstandings.
If you or your organisation is interested in attending a workshop, please email admin@multiculturalnt.co.nz or call 03 539 0030 for more information. |
|
| - MULTICULTURAL YOUTH NELSON TASMAN - |
|
|
|
Multicultural Youth Movie Night
Muticultural Youth Nelson Tasman organised a movie night on 17 May as a part of the National Youth Week 2023. About 60 youth from various cultural backgrounds attended the event and they had a lot of fun. The new movie Guardians of the Galaxy was screened and it was a really a good time for the young people in Nelson to gather. They also got some new members joining their group after this event.
 
A huge thanks to our sponsors Nelson City Council, Richmond Aquatic Centre and SYP Café - Whanake Youth.
|
|
|
Youth Forum
Every year the Youth Councils from Tasman through to Kaikōura meet up to share what they have been doing and to make connections. Some members of the MYNTies had the opportunity to attend this hui on 19 June, where they made new connectins and had a lot of fun in the process.
|
|
That's MYNT on Fresh FM
"That's MYNT" airs Sunday evenings at 7.00 with new content every 2 weeks. This is a programme hosted by members of Multicultural Youth Nelson Tasman. Last month they invited Ehtisham Ahmed into the studio for a chat. Ehtisham works as the Community Champion for New Zealand Red Cross.
You can listen to all the episodes from That's MYNT here
 
|
|
MYNTies will be at the Victory Matariki Festival
Our Multicultural Youth Group is planning to have a stall at the Matariki Festival, this time to be celebrated at Victory Community Centre on Friday 21 July. They will have an interactive stall and give attendees a chance to decorate it with stars: writing about remembrance, celebrating the present and looking to the future, which are of course the principles of Matariki.
The youth group will be there from 4.30 pm onwards.
  
|
|
|
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!
Thanks to Nelson City Council for funding the Multicultural Youth Nelson Tasman.
Watch our latest recruitment video here
Thanks to Nelson City Council for funding our projects and events, we really appreciate it.
|
|
|
Experience India in Nelson
Indian culture is all about celebrating food, and members of Nelson's Indian community will offer an authentic experience in August by showcasing Indian rituals and customs, while also imparting knowledge about Indian cuisine. The purpose of the event is to create a memorable experience for the local community and Experience India will be a great opportunity for showcasing different aspects of Indian cuisine and the rich associated culture.
The event will feature two distinct sessions, a lunch, and a dinner, providing a sit-down dining experience with two different cuisines. As the capacity is limited, we encourage you to secure your tickets promptly here. In the event that you are unable to attend, substitutions are allowed.
OR
Just drop in between 1 to 5 pm to enjoy Indian food stalls which will be set up outside the hall.
12-2 pm- South India Seated Lunch in Oval Pavilion
5-7pm- North Indian Seated Dinner in Oval Pavilion
1- 5 pm- Indian Food Stalls, Open to the public on the Oval ground.
On another note, if you are keen to volunteer at this amazing event and would like to know more about the volunteer roles please reach out to Anjali Puri experienceindia.nz@gmail.com
|
|
|
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!
|
|
|
|
|
