Kia ora
October has flown by and it feels that 2020 is racing towards its end too. This past month has been marked by some significant events regionally, nationally and on a global scale:
New Zealand has voted for a "new" government, confirming the leadership of (re-elected) Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern - especially during this tough COVID-shaken year 2020.
Nelson has celebrated its annual Arts Festival including many multicultural events such as the PukaPuka talks "Fleeing to Freedom" and "Our People, Our Cultures, Our Languages" and a series of Hispanic and Latino drive-in movies and performances at Kirby Lane. Despite the insecurities in the planning of the event, the Arts Festival successfully showcased Nelson's openness and creativity as well as offering opportunities for the wider public to gather, encounter different cultures and perspectives. While the focus of this year's Arts Festival has shifted as a result of COVID-19 from showcasing international and national acts that Nelson audiences regularly wouldn't get a chance to see locally to more familiar artists, authors and creative practitioners we can consider ourselves very lucky to being able to enjoy shared real-time experiences, laughter and the freedom to go outside without (too m)any restrictions. Globally, the COVID-pandemic continues to disrupt everyday life and extremist views on all sides are still on the rise.
We would like to invite you to learn with us from and about different cultures, to celebrate the warmer days and focus on staying connected as a (comm)unity in diversity!
Waiho i te toipoto, kaua i te toiroa
Let us keep close together not far apart
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| - MULTICULTURAL NELSON TASMAN - |
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| - MULTICULTURAL YOUTH NELSON TASMAN - |
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MYNT meet PM Jacinda Ardern
Some members of our Multicultural Youth group (MYNT) were invited to an exclusive youth event on October 1st: Niki, Priya, Resika, Ruby, Victoria and Gulliver had the pleasure to meet New Zealand's PM Jacinda Ardern as well as (our newly elected MP) Rachel Boyack in an informal meeting and discuss with them about their needs and visions to make Nelson and New Zealand a better place for young people. As no media was present, the youth representatives that attended the event could be completely honest and upfront without the media reporting on every word...
Our People, Our Cultures, Our Languages
Multicultural Nelson Tasman together with Multicultural Youth Nelson Tasman were proud to co-host the PukaPuka talk 'Our People, Our Cultures, Our Languages' with the Nelson Arts Festival. The talk which was held on Saturday, October 24 2020, included Behrouz Boochani (Kurdish refugee and author of No Friend But the Mountains), Olivia Hall (Head of Department at Te Toki Pakohe, NMIT), Chinese NZ writer Rose Lu (author of All Who Live on Islands), and MYNT-leader Resika Sapkota (a former Bhutanese/Nepali refugee) in conversation with Dana Wensley (NZSA PEN representative).
Panel members explored what ethnic diversity looks like in Aotearoa, how we can find common ground, how social policy can support race unity and counter racism, how we can unpack the legacy of colonisation, what we can learn from tangata whenua—and what this all means for us on a personal, practical level. Resika represented the voice of multicultural youth marvellously!
That's MYNT @ Fresh FM
After months of planning and preparation, our MYNT group recorded their first radio show for Fresh FM. They had great fun in the studio recording the first of what will be a regular show in Fresh FM's programme. If you're curious what they have to say and which music our youth listens to these days, tune in every second Tuesday between 5 and 6pm on Fresh FM to "That's MYNT" - our new multicultural radio show.
Become a member
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?
We are a group of young people between 14 and 21 living in the Nelson-Tasman region. Some of us have been in Nelson for a long time; some for only a few years. We are different in many ways. We speak different languages. We come from all corners of the globe. And we have different ideas for our community.
Get in touch with us if you require more information or want to join the group!
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Update from Immigration New Zealand (INZ)
Refugee resettlement, under the Refugee Quota Programme is temporarily paused due to COVID-19 global impacts and responses including travel to New Zealand.
The New Zealand Government has agreed to resettlement of a limited number of UNHCR-referred cases under emergency priority. INZ is working with IOM and UNHCR to arrange their resettlement when their travel is considered safe, and with cross-government agency protocols related to COVID-19 in place to ensure safe resettlement.
All refugees who come under the refugee quota programme are granted permanent residence, so no border exemption is required for New Zealand under the current border restrictions. The first emergency case arrived on 17 October and travel dates have been booked for the next cases. After the required time in the Managed Isolation facility, families will stay briefly at the Mangere Refugee Centre while we finalise housing and settlement assessments. All families will be supported by an Immigration New Zealand Resettlement Case Officer while at the centre, who will liaise with key agencies in the resettlement regions where the families will be settling. The settlement locations are yet to be decided.
For more detailed information about the refugee quota COVID-19 response see: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/documents/media/refugees-and-asylum-seekers-factsheet.pdf
INZ Newcomers skills matching services and job search assistance
Usually newcomer skills matching services are focused on skilled migrants and their partners with residence visas. Now the services are also available for those on work to residence visas who have lost a job and need an equivalent job to help them retain their pathway to residence.
Immigration New Zealand has extended its newcomer skills matching and job search assistance services programme to prioritise assisting skilled migrants who have lost jobs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Click here to find out more!
Giving RSE Workers More Voice in New Zealand
An interesting read about RSE worker's experience in New Zealand from the Solomon Times
New Zealand’s Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme has an international reputation as a good practice temporary labour migration program.
The scheme has been designed to deliver benefits to RSE employers, New Zealand’s horticultural industry, and participating Pacific countries through RSE workers’ savings and remittances, which contribute to economic security at home.
There are, however, features inherent to temporary labour migration programs like the RSE scheme, such as restrictive employment conditions that bond RSE workers to a single employer, which generate criticisms regarding workers’ limited rights and the potential for worker exploitation.
Read the whole article from the Solomon Times here.
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Multicultural Day of Tennis
“A Game for Life”
The Richmond Tennis Club invites all migrant communities to their Club for an introduction to the game of tennis
When: Next Sunday, 8 Nov 2020, Time 1-3pm
Where: 18a Gladstone Road, Richmond
The club will supply BBQ, drink, racquets, balls, instructions and lots and lots of fun, music and laughter. Soft soled enclosed shoes have to be worn on the courts (to protect the floor).
All ages welcome - please let us know you are coming by the 5 November to grahamtrishw@xtra.co.nz or info@multiculturalnt.co.nz
As it is an outdoor event, it will be cancelled in case of rain.
Free English training for New Zealand residents, partners and children
Nelson English Centre is offering students 8 weeks of FREE full time English training (offer available until 30/6/21).
Students must be: NZ resident, Partner of a New Zealander with a Work Visa, Partner of a New Zealander with a Visitor Visa or Child of a New Zealander with a Visitor Visa (16+).
If you or anyone in your community that you know who would like to learn English for free, please email admin@english-school.ac.nz for further information.
Parihaka Day: Celebrating peace in Whakatū
On November 5, 1881, 1600 troops invaded the community of Parihaka - a Māori village in Taranaki which had come to symbolise the peaceful resistance to the European confiscation of Māori land. Whakatū Parihaka Peace Network Connection and the Nelson Quakers invite you to join the honoring of Parihaka Day on Thursday November 5th.
TSNS Tahunanui sandsculpture competition - Everyone is invited - Volunteers are needed
Our friends from Top of the South Neighbourhood Support are organising the 2nd annual Tahunanui Sand Sculpture Competition 2020 - a fun Sunday afternoon of free Kai and sculpting at Tahunanui Beach. Sculptors will be competing for a series of prizes to be announced on the lead up to the event. Join us for a free sausage sizzle and kai after!
Prizes targeted towards young people and families  but all are welcome to join the fun 
When: From 2pm -4pm on Sunday the 13th of December  
Please contact Aniquah from TSNS or Ramiesha from MNT if you have some spare time and would like to help at the event.
Work opportunity - Gladstone Motel Richmond
Gladstone Motel Richmond is looking for 2 Housekeepers to clean at their Motel.
The work is on call casual during the week and also on weekends as required between 9am and 12 to 1pm.
Candidates must be honest, reliable and have their own transport. They also must be used to cleaning and have an eye for detail.
Previous Motel Experience is not necessary as training will be given.
Interested candidates can contact Lesley on 021 0878 6550 or email their resume to: info@gladstonemotel.co.nz
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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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