Four delegates from the Waikato Multicultural Council attended the Multicultural New Zealand (MNZ) AGM on the weekend of 24th and 25th September 2022 in Brentwood Hotel, Wellington.

Delegates were welcomed with a powhiri.

The AGM started with a 7-people panel discussion speaking on whakapapa, the values important to them and where to go for the future.

This is under a Te Tiriti-based approach with communities engaging with tangata whenua.

An interesting trend shared with us by one of the speakers: By 2050 the bulk of the working tax-payers are going to be multicultural - Maori, Pasifika and ethnic. The aging Pakeha population will become a minority.

One of the impactful quote from speakers Kiriana:

“Do not substitute your essence of who you are” in the work that you do. Stay true.

The executive committee stayed the same. President: Pancha Narayanan, Vice-President: Marion Kerepeti Edwards, Treasurer: Prem Singh and Secretary: Maria Buldain.

Impact reports of 1.5 minutes or 3 main successes were shared by all regional multicultural councils. Click here to read the 2021 report.

The gala dinner had speakers like minister Christ Hipkins and commissioner Andrew Coster.

At the women’s council meeting, Waikato delegate Jeanie Holland was nominated and became the secretary. The Waikato President Ravinder Powar was chosen as the senior council president.

It was announced that there is a exciting youth event in early December.

All in all a wonderful weekend with a rich experience.