Hakatere Multi Cultural Council

11/06/2026

Join us next week for our Cultural Awareness talk to learn all about the culture of Tokelau!
In this Cultural Awareness session, you will learn about Tokelauan culture and discuss basic social protocols to help you interact with clients, whānau, and friends. The session will be led by Whakatere Ashburton local Akosita Ulupano.
All are welcome – nau mai koutou katoa!
Organised with Welcoming Communities - Ashburton District and Ashburton Art Gallery

10/06/2026

🔨 Interested in a career in the Building and Construction Industry?

Come along tonight at 6:00 PM at Ashburton College to learn about the exciting opportunities available in the building and construction sector.

Bring your whānau and find out about career pathways, training and employment opportunities.

🍽️ Dinner provided
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Everyone is welcome

We look forward to seeing you there tonight!

BCITO Trade Secrets is on TODAY!

If you're keen to hear about a career in the building and construction industry, this is for you.

Bring your whānau and come along to connect with employers and apprentices who are already making it happen in the building and construction industry. The Building and Construction Industry Training Organisation team will be on hand to answer any questions about how to get started on your apprenticeship, and you can find out about the awesome industry training scholarships provided by Advance Ashburton Community Foundation.

📍 Ashburton College, 27 Walnut Avenue
⌚️ 6.00pm - 8.00pm
➡️ Register at www.tradesecrets.nz

Dinner is provided so come hungry and ready to connect with your local community.

08/06/2026

✨ Performer Spotlight – Sri Lanka Dance School ✨

Get ready to experience the vibrant culture of Sri Lanka at the Hakatere Multicultural Talent Show Night!

We are delighted to welcome the Christchurch Sri Lankan Dance school / Group, who will be showcasing traditional and contemporary Sri Lankan dance. Their colourful costumes, energetic performances and rich cultural storytelling are sure to captivate audiences of all ages.

📅 Date: 31 July
🎟️ Free Event

Join us for an evening of cultural celebration, talent and community spirit as we showcase the diverse cultures that make Hakatere such a special place.

Bring your family and friends and enjoy this wonderful opportunity to experience the beauty of Sri Lankan culture and many other performances from across our multicultural community.

We look forward to seeing you there!

08/06/2026

To our Filipino community in Mid Canterbury,

Our hearts are with you. We know that many of you have family, friends and loved ones in the Philippines, and we can only imagine the worry and concern you may be feeling right now.

Please know that you are not alone. As part of our Mid Canterbury whānau, we are thinking of you, holding you in our thoughts and sending our love and support to you and your families both here and abroad.

In times like these, community matters. We stand beside you and hope you find strength in the love, resilience and care that surrounds you.

Arohanui to you all. Stay strong, take care of one another, and know that we are here for you. ❤️

05/06/2026

Celebrating Samoan Language Week at Ashburton College 🌺

05/06/2026

As we come to the end of celebrating Samoan Language Week, we would like to extend our sincere thanks to Percy and Tangata Atumotu Trust for inviting us to be part of this special occasion.

We thoroughly enjoyed the experience, learning more about Samoan language and culture, connecting with the community and of course, tasting the delicious Samoan food!

Thank you for your warm hospitality and for sharing the richness of Samoan culture with us. We look forward to continuing to celebrate and support the diversity that makes our community so special.

Fa'afetai tele lava! 🇼🇸❤️

04/06/2026

🌟 Don't Miss Te Whānau o Hakatere Kapa Haka at the Multicultural Talent Show Night! 🌟

Join us for an evening of culture, music, dance and community as Te Whānau o Hakatere Kapa Haka takes the stage at our Multicultural Talent Show Night!

Experience the power, passion, and beauty of Māori performing arts through waiata, haka, and cultural storytelling presented by our talented local performers.

🎟️ FREE ENTRY – Everyone Welcome!

Come along and celebrate the diversity that makes our community so special. Bring your whānau, friends and neighbours for a fantastic night of entertainment and cultural connection.

We look forward to seeing you there!

🌺🎶🖤❤️🤍

03/06/2026

Last night, we travelled to Christchurch to attend the Ethnic Communities Meeting.

It was a great opportunity to connect and strengthen relationships with Assistant Commissioner Iwi and Community Partnerships, Tim Anderson, and Rakesh Naidoo, National Partnerships Manager from Police National Headquarters.

We heard updates on how New Zealand Police are continuing to improve services for ethnic communities and shared valuable feedback from our communities. These conversations are important for building strong partnerships and ensuring our voices are heard.

Welcoming Communities - Ashburton District
Multicultural Aoraki

03/06/2026

A Taste of Aotearoa 🇳🇿

Ngā mihi nui to Byron, Vicky and Roberta for sharing a fabulous Taste of Aotearoa with our community.

Byron demonstrated how to make a traditional Māori boil-up, a hearty one-pot meal featuring lamb, kūmara, homegrown Māori potatoes (purple potatoes), pumpkin, carrots, cabbage, and leafy greens. This delicious and comforting dish was a big hit with participants.

Vicky showed us how to make Parāoa Parai (fried bread), a traditional Māori staple. Crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside, it was enjoyed by everyone.

For dessert, Roberta taught us how to make meringues, a popular Kiwi sweet treat made from egg whites and sugar, served with whipped cream.

Events like these are a wonderful way to connect, share stories, and learn about the foods and traditions that make Aotearoa and our multicultural community so special.

Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the day such a success!