PROMOTING MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITIES: MULTICULTURAL

COUNCILS IN ACTION

OverviewINTRODUCTION

CURRENT ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMMES

LOOKING INTO THE FUTURE

STRENGTHS

ISSUES AND CHALLENGES

QUESTION TIME

INTRODUCTIONWhere is Lower Hutt?

Lower Hutt / Te Awakairangi is a city in the Wellington region of New Zealand

It is the tenth largest city in New Zealand in population (103,000 – 2011 estimate); and covers an area of 376.74km2

In 2006, 64.9% of the Lower Hutt population was recorded as being of European descent, 17% Maori, 10% Pacific Island, 8.5% Asian, and 1% from other Ethnic groups

Although there is projected to be limited growth to 2031, the Asian, Maori and Pacific populations will increase up to 2021 while the proportion of European continues to decrease

The Asian population is projected to increase most rapidly, at 2.5% per annum whilst Pacific and Maori populations experience annual increases of 2.2% and 1.4% respectively.

In addition to being growing populations, Maori, Asian and Pacific are also predominantly younger. The median age of those of Maori, Asian or Pacific descent is also significantly lower than for the European population.

Interesting fact about Lower Hutt: its council has adopted the name Hutt City Council but neither the New Zealand Geographic board nor the Local Government Act recognise the name Hutt City. There are actually two cities in the Hutt Valley: Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt, and the name Hutt City has sometimes led to confusion.

Hutt Multicultural CouncilOfficially established in 1987

Affiliated with the New Zealand Federation of Multicultural Councils

Promote and protect the interests of the many different ethnic groups which make Lower Hutt a multicultural city and society

Raise consciousness among the ethnic groups of the special status of the Maori people as Tangata Whenua and their special rights under the Treaty of Waitangi

Hutt Multicultural CouncilAccess to information between ethnic groups and

agencies

Forum to share experiences and friendship

Enable ethnic groups to give each other mutual support and strength to deal with issues that affect them all

Protect against racial behaviour

Democratic right and decision-making

Openly express their commitment to New Zealand while at the same time protecting and sharing their ethnic heritage and identity

CURRENT ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMMES

Hutt Multicultural Council Monthly team meetings

Race Unity Day Annual celebration of localcultural diversity

Pacific Advisory Committee Empowering Pacific Communities throughnetworking and consultation

Filifest Filipino arts and cultureprogramme

CURRENT ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMMES

Community Networking Attending local community organisation meetings and

events e.g. Citizenship ceremonies Organising community events i.e Potluck Dinners

Community Representation Advocating for cultural communities of Lower Hutt to local

and central government – LTP, Green Paper, Representation review

Providing opportunities for the community to be involved in decision-making process – Hui and Fono

Community Support Distributing information to the community relating to

services, facilities and support Promoting local opportunities for refugee and migrant

communities

Anita Mansell (President – HMC), Alfred Ngaro MP, Tayo Agunlejika (President, NZFMC), Joris De Bres (Human Rights Commission) and Mayor Ray Wallace (Lower

Hutt) at Race Unity Day 2012 at the Lower Hutt Town Hall

CURRENT ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMMES

Settling In Project:Women – Mana Wahine

Series of workshops for women of refugee and migrant backgrounds

Focus on self-empowerment, community connectedness, and family life in New Zealand (children and youth)

Youth – YOUth Settling In Series of workshops for youth of refugee and migrant

backgrounds Establishing a local youth network with ongoing activities Focus on supporting young people transitioning into a new

community, where to get support, where to get involved

Leole Malama (Youth Infusion Coordinator) Ephraim Gazo (NZFMC Youth Council President) Peter-Clinton Foaese (Youth Worker/Advocate) and

Tribhuvan Shrestha (Lower Hutt Nepalese Association and Hindu Council) at Race Unity Day 2012

LOOKING INTO THE FUTURE

Funding, sponsors and support Securing a paid coordinator to support community lead

initiatives and volunteers

Providing resources for community use Developing information materials for public distribution

Three E’s – Education, Engagement, and Empowerment: Education – raising awareness of what HMC does Engagement – organising forums to gauge and engage

local ethnic communities Empowerment – empowering the community to

establish support networks and action groups

LOOKING INTO THE FUTURE

Events and ActivitiesRace Unity Day – expanding the scope and

experience to become a world tour of local culturePacific Festival – exhibition of Polynesian flavours,

arts. crafts and cultureYouth Lead initiatives – outcome of YOUth Settling

In program, young people initiate their own events to celebrate their culture and talents

Social Inclusion – Friendship groups, Special Speakers, Cooking Classes, Arts and Culture, Information Workshops

STRENGTHSStrengthening relationships with Tangata Whenua –

local Iwi Te Atiawa, Tenths Trust, Port Nicholson

Strong relationships with local council and central government – i.e. location within the Wellington Region

Improving relationships with traditional migrant communities – Pasifika, Chinese, European

Strong core team – cultures and faiths, skills and experience well represented

Lower Hutt has many services and organisations that allow for collaboration and coordination of activities

ISSUES AND CHALLENGESVisibility of the HMC – people knowing that we are

there to advocate

Important to not reinvent the wheel – network and connect to existing programs and services

Unity in diversity – a true representation of the city

Security in funding and resources

Engagement – language and cultural barriers

Limited volunteer capacity

We would like to take the time to thank our

sponsors:Ministry of Social Development – Settling In

Hutt City Council

Human Rights Commission

Office of Ethnic Affairs

Hutt Mana Charitable Trust

Community Trust of Wellington

New Zealand Federation of Multicultural Councils

And many more…

Thank you!

We are happy to answer any of your questions