Ethnic Engagement Hub

03/08/2026

What’s up this week!

Another rewarding week connecting with communities across Auckland.

The Health and Care public meeting brought together a room full of passionate and diverse advocates, sharing different perspectives on the future of our health system.

The Election Working Group also met this week, bringing together representatives from different agencies to plan how to support ethnic communities ahead of the upcoming election. Thank you to KCFT for generously providing the meeting space. Devonport-Takapuna Local Board Kaipātiki Local Board Auckland Libraries Electoral Commission NZ Kaipatiki Community Facilities Trust Open and Connect NZ

A lovely way to celebrate Matariki Herenga Waka — sharing kai, stories and time with community leaders to welcome August. NZ Ethnic Women's Trust

The Things We Carry, hosted by the Cine Foro Society, opened up a powerful conversation about identity, belonging and the stories people carry with them.

The week ended with an event bringing community leaders and Chartered Accountants together, creating new connections and opportunities to support our communities. Korean Positive Ageing Charitable Trust 翟振弘 CWC Partners Group Limited

27/07/2026

27/07/2026

What’s up this week!

It’s been a somehow weather impact weekend, and still full of community spirit.

Ethnic Rainbow Alliance – "NO-SUMMIT" Summit
We had the privilege of joining the "NO-SUMMIT" Summit, hosted by the . It was an inspiring space dedicated to uplifting, empowering, and creating strong support networks for our ethnic Rainbow community.
Great to see our friends Auckland Emergency Management GendAffirm

Fiji Health and Wellbeing Expo 2026
We also attended the Fiji Health and Wellbeing Expo! A gentle reminder to everyone: prioritizing our health and staying vigilant with regular checks, awareness, and well-being practices is so important for ourselves and our families. Great to see our AEM friend again!!!!

Thank you for organizing, hosting, and having us in your space!

20/07/2026

What’s up this week!

It has been an incredibly rich and diverse week of networking, celebration, and deep dialogue across our community sectors. Here is a look at what I’ve been up to:

North Shore Chinese Community Network Trust: Started the week attending the networking spaces are absolutely vital for connecting local services, sharing resources, and strengthening capability within our diverse ethnic communities. Kaipātiki Local Board Nibras Al-Tayyar

hosted by Okapi Alliance of NZ - Congolese Community of NZ, had the privilege of joining community leaders and changemakers at the event. It was a beautiful evening celebrating resilience, shared visions, and the collective strength we weave into the future of Aotearoa.

: Participated in a deeply meaningful Working with Religious Diversity session. Fostering understanding, open dialogue, and social cohesion across different faith communities is essential work for building truly inclusive, supportive neighbourhoods.

Feeling incredibly inspired by the heart, collaboration, and dedication driving our community spaces this week!

20/07/2026

What’s up this week!

It has been a deeply moving and insightful week centered around community heritage, identity, and shared histories. Here is a look at what I’ve been up to:

World Refugee Day – Storytelling & Heritage: Absolute privilege of attending a special World Refugee Day event that focused on honoring the rich history of the Mt Roskill refugee settlement.
Mt Roskill Collective
Wesley & RYZ Centre
Puketāpapa Local Board

Feeling so inspired by the strength of these stories and the dedicated people continuing to build and celebrate inclusive communities!

20/07/2026

What’s up this week! 🌟

It has been a beautiful week of reflection, celebration, and coming together across our diverse community sectors. Here is a look at what I’ve been up to:

Incredibly privileged to participate in a Matariki celebration focused on fostering welcoming communities. Gathering at the Hoani Waititi Marae provided a special space to connect, share stories, and look ahead to the new year together, reinforcing our commitment to building inclusive communities.

at Mt Roskill Library: Spent a wonderful afternoon at the Three Kings Library marking World Refugee Day. It was a deeply meaningful opportunity to catch up with community members and celebrate the resilience, strength, and diverse contributions of former refugees in our local neighbourhoods.

: Open and Connect NZ hosted a Chinese Dragon Boat Festival community network event. It was fantastic to bring people together over traditional foods and shared learning, celebrating cultural heritage while strengthening our local network connections. Devonport-Takapuna Local Board

Feeling so inspired by the heart, connection, and inclusivity driving our community engagement spaces this week!

20/07/2026

What’s up this week! 🌟

It has been an incredibly busy, diverse, and inspiring week of connection and collaboration across our community sectors. Here is a quick wrap-up of what I’ve been up to:

We had the absolute pleasure of hosting the team from the at the ANCAD office. It was fantastic to connect, share updates, and explore ways we can support each other’s meaningful work moving forward.

Participated in a highly productive Ethnic Leaders Circle (ELC) consultation workshop focused on the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board. Fostering these collaborative, strategic spaces ensures our diverse ethnic communities have a strong voice in local governance. The Asian Network Inc. - TANI

GendAffirm Pride Market Day: spent some wonderful time out supporting the GendAffirm Pride Market Day—celebrating local creativity, inclusivity, and vibrant community initiatives.

: To cap off a brilliant week, I joined the for their vibrant 2026 Dragon Boat & Matariki Cultural Celebration. Seeing different cultures unite to celebrate shared seasons and traditions is the absolute heart of community connection.

Feeling so inspired by the resilience, partnership, and heart driving our sector this week!

20/07/2026

What’s up this week!

It has been an incredibly full and meaningful week connecting with different parts of our diverse community. Here is a quick wrap-up:

Screening - started the week attending a powerful screening and discussion centered around the West Papua Initiative. It was eye-opening to engage with the stories, culture, and ongoing conversations surrounding the region. Sorry, no photos due to the sensitivity.

: also attended the important book launch for He Told Us: How an Australian Committed Far-Right Terrorism in Christchurch, New Zealand by Chris Wilson and Michal Dziwulski. It was a vital space for reflection on the lessons of 15 March and how we continue to foster safety, understanding, and cohesion across our communities.

: To round out the week, it was absolute magic catching up with familiar faces and community leaders out in the sunshine at the Ethnic Community Carnival! Brilliant energy, beautiful weather, and fantastic connections as always.

Feeling so incredibly inspired by the heart, resilience, and dedication of the people working to strengthen our community fabric this week!

Devonport-Takapuna Local Board
E Tū Whānau
Puketāpapa Local Board
CLM Community Sport

Ivan Sean Yeo

20/07/2026

What’s up this week!

I had the absolute pleasure of attending the opening week of Indian Ink Theatre Company's latest production, . Inspired by the classic story Kabuliwala, this contemporary adaptation relocates the tale to modern-day Auckland, exploring the deeply moving experiences of migrant families in Aotearoa.

The play offers an incredibly insightful look into complex issues like migrant worker exploitation and the profound, ripple effect these challenges have on the wider family unit. It sneaks up on you—starting with wonderful warmth and humor before delivering a powerful, emotionally charged message about trust, vulnerability, and our shared humanity.

It was a brilliant night of storytelling, and it was lovely catching up with everyone afterward. Highly recommend catching this season if you can!

Feeling so inspired by the creativity, heart, and vital conversations being brought to life by our arts community this week!

Jennifer Khan-Janif

20/07/2026

What’s up this week!

It was a real privilege to join the Whau local community to celebrate Eid.

Seeing families come together to share food, joy, and culture is always so inspiring. A huge thank you to the organizers for creating such a warm and welcoming space in our local hall. The connections made at these events truly strengthen our community fabric.