Shared Communities Initiative: Building Belonging Through Culture

As a proud consortium partner in the Shared Communities Initiative, Multicultural Nelson Tasman works alongside Make/Shift Spaces, Arts Council Nelson, and Nelson City Council to celebrate and strengthen the cultural life of Whakatū Nelson.

Our Role

• Hosting the Cultural Navigator
  MNT employs and supports the Cultural Navigator role, which connects migrant and former refugee communities with creative and cultural opportunities across the city.

• Funding Holder for the Initiative’s First Stage
  We managed the initial funding from the Ministry for Culture and Heritage’s Cultural Sector Regeneration Fund (now completed), enabling dozens of community-led projects to flourish.

• Umbrella Support for Ethnic Communities
  We continue to provide governance and financial management support by holding and administering funds on behalf of smaller ethnic community organisations so they can deliver their own projects.  We aim to build their capacity in this area.

What We’ve Achieved Together

During Stage One (Sept 2023 – July 2024), the Shared Communities Initiative supported:

• 64 community-led projects including festivals, performances, exhibitions, and workshops

• Participation from 27 different migrant and former refugee communities across Whakatū Nelson

• Creative use of 26 venues city-wide

• Increased visibility, voice, and connection for culturally diverse communities

Why It Matters

Nelson is home to a rich mix of cultures, with 26.5% of Nelson  residents born overseas (Census 2023),  Shared Communities creates opportunities for people to share their stories, express their identities, and connect with others — helping build the inclusive, vibrant city we all want to live in.

Find out more: Visit the Shared Communities website or contact us at Multicultural Nelson Tasman to learn how to get involved.