Multi Cultural Festivals - Race Relations day

Aotearoa New Zealand is a multicultural society. The Federation believes that the challenge for the future of our country is to formulate a national policy which responds to the cultures of all New Zealanders, while at the same time reflecting the special status of the Maori as Tangata Whenua and their special rights under the Treaty of Waitangi. The foundation of this policy must respect for Mana of all cultures.

Most of the regions now have at least one multicultural celebration during the year. These festivals bring together the cultures and colours of our diverse society. Thousands of people around the country attend these festivals in their respective regions. Most of these events are now a calendar event of ethnic councils, local body councils and Human Rights Commission. However, the general awareness and benefits of these events are not recognised nationally.

We believe that its time now to move forward to have a national day for multicultural festivals, where the entire nation can celebrate and recognise the contributions of our diverse ethnic communities.

All the member ethnic councils of the Federation have been celebrating this day at various times, however, we have endeavored to bring this together as close as possible within the month, coinciding with the Human Rights Commissions’ Race Unity day.

We would like to invite you to attend, support and participate in the following Multicultural festivals are being held in March-April 2007.

Multicultural Festivals in March-April 2007

Saturday 17 March 2007

Hutt Ethnic Council: Race Unity Day
Riddiford Garden, 11am-3pm. Involving cultural performances and ethnic food stalls, Lower Hutt's Race Unity Day brings together the many different cultures and races living in the Hutt region.

Christchurch: Culture Galore Festival
Ray Blank Park, 12-4pm. The Christchurch City Council together with the Christchurch Ethnic Council present the Culture Galore Festival, part of the Summer times programme, which showcases the region's music, dance, food and crafts of more than 50 cultures.

Sunday 18 March 2007

Marlborough: Multicultural Festival, Blenheim
Pollard Park, 11am-3pm. Mayor Alistair Sowman will open the new Marlborough Migrant Centre. The day will feature music, dance and food from around the world.

Dunedin: International Race Relations Day
Mayfair Theatre, South Dunedin, 2pm, gold coin donation. Ten of the city's cultural groups will present a variety of performances, games and fashion.

Saturday 24 March 2007

Manawatu: Festival of Cultures, Palmerston North
The Square, 10am to 6pm. This festival is a showcase of the cultural diversity of Palmerston North. The Festival features a wide range of activities, encompassing a mixture of live music and dance.

Nelson: Race Unity Day
Victory Square Park, 11am-4pm, gold coin donation. Highlighting and celebrating the diversity of the Nelson region, this event will include ethnic food stalls and art and will feature a large number of performances from various cultures.

Sunday 25th March 2007

Counties Manukau Ethnic Council: Multicultural day/Race Relations Day
Venue: Pukekohe Town Hall, Massey Avenue, Pukekohe
Time: 1.00pm to 4.00pm.
Please come and celebrate the first such multicultural extravaganza in Franklin District with locals and the members of various ethnic communities.
Saturday 3 March

Rotorua: Multicultural Festival
Parade, to run through city, followed by the main event at the Sportsdrome from 10am, gold coin donation. The day will start with the Parade of Nations that will run through the city and end at the Sportsdrome, the venue for the main event. There, the Festival will include food, performances and stalls presenting Rotorua's ethnic diversity.

Saturday 31 March 2007

Upper Hutt: International Festival
New Zealand International Campus, Trentham, 11am-3pm. The International Festival will serve as a showpiece for the region's cultural and ethnic diversity and will feature ethnic food stalls and performances.

Sunday 1st April 2007

Wellington Multicultural Festival
Multi Ethnic Day - Wellington celebrating Cultural Diversity
Date: 01 April 2007
Venue: Town Hall, Wellington City Council
Time: 10.00 am to 4.00 PM
Cultural performances, displays and ethnic food stalls. A day out for the entire family.

Hoping you are able to attend some of these colourful festivals with your families and friends.

ENDS

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