Office of Ethnic Communities Update Flourishing ethnic diversity; thriving New Zealand What's been happeningThe Office of Ethnic Communities is government's authoritative advisor on ethnic diversity in New Zealand. Our purpose is that Ethnic Communities are strong and the benefits of ethnic diversity for New Zealand are realised. Director's UpdateFebruary has brought mostly beautiful weather for many places around the country, and I hope you have enjoyed the long days and warm evenings. The heat however, can cause it to get very dry in some regions. Our thoughts are with all those affected by the Nelson fires, including the many ethnic communities who have settled in the area. The strength of a community is so powerful at a time like this. Sport Waitakere works to increase diversity in sports clubsSport Waitakere Trust’s Diverse Westies project aims to support West Auckland sports clubs to create welcoming environments for all participants. It is one of the initiatives receiving funding from our Ethnic Communities Development Fund. In New Zealand, sport is shown to contribute to happier and healthier people, and better-connected communities. Grant applications open for Community Connects FundThe Ministry of Social Development’s Community Connects Fund is now accepting grant applications. The Community Connects Fund supports projects that either:
Happy International Mother Language Day 2019Thursday 21 February 2019 marks International Mother Language Day, an opportunity to promote and celebrate our linguistic and cultural diversity. This year is also the International Year of Indigenous Languages. Spotlight on: Monina HernandezWe recently spoke with Monina Hernandez, a leader in the health sector, to find out more about who she is, her career, and her goals for the future. The Office of Ethnic Communities Nominations Service supported Monina’s successful application to the Board of the New Zealand Nursing Council. Ethnic communities and the suffrage movementNew Zealand was the first country in the world to give women the right to vote. Did you know, members of New Zealand’s ethnic communities played a role in shaping this part of New Zealand’s history? 250 years of encounters – a snapshot of first encounters between the people of Aotearoa and our ethnic communitiesJames Cook arrived in New Zealand 250 years ago while on his first Pacific voyage. The year 1769 not only marks the first encounters between Māori and Europeans, but also the beginning of continuous and increasing encounters between the people of Aotearoa and people from across the globe. Book celebrates migrants' contributions to New PlymouthA recently published book, Homelands Then and Now, celebrates migrant contributions to New Plymouth. The book looks at migrants from a range of countries including Jordan, Zimbabwe and India. Would you like to subscribe?Keep up to date with our projects and ethnic diversity issues by subscribing to our contact list. You will receive details about stories, events and community news by email. This includes our monthly newsletter the OEC Update. |