Waitaki Multicultural

04/06/2026

Important info about some exciting changes to the volunteer-run community shuttle between Oamaru and Dunedin!

02/06/2026

You're invited to the Waitaki Multicultural Council AGM.

Thursday, 11th of June 2026, 5.30 pm at Fale Room, Ōamaru Pacific Island Trust , 22-26 Ribble Street, Ōamaru

Please see the attached flyer for more details.

We look forward to seeing you there.

29/05/2026

This week, many Muslim families celebrated Eid al-Adha.

Please find below a beautiful example of inclusion at Fenwick School this week, where children were invited to dress in their traditional clothing.

It was so lovely to see kids proudly sharing and celebrating their cultures together.

Thank you to Fenwick School for embracing diversity and creating such an inclusive environment for all families and children.

Eid Mubarak to all Muslim families. Wishing you joy, good health, and endless blessings.

Justyna
WMC Community Connector
Fenwick School

Within our school we have many cultures. Some of our students have celebrated Eid al-Adha with their whānau this week. This is an important celebration on the Islamic calendar. As part of this celebration some of our students dressed in traditional clothing today- don’t they look fabulous! ♥️

28/05/2026

Also on this evening, hosted by HOST International Aotearoa, is this online Starting a Business Workshop from 7:30 to 8:30 pm.

If you're already running your own business, or thinking of starting one, it may be of interest!

David
WM - Community Engagement Lead

✨ You have something valuable to offer the world - and we want to help you share it.

Starting a business can feel overwhelming, especially when you're navigating a new country, a new system, and a new set of rules. But you don't have to figure it all out alone.

We are delighted to invite you to our Starting a Business Workshop - a free, one-hour online session full of practical knowledge, real guidance, and genuine encouragement for anyone from a refugee or migrant background who has ever thought about running their own business in New Zealand.

This is more than just a workshop - it’s a community of people who understand your journey, believe in your potential, and want to see you succeed. Come as you are, with your dreams, doubts, and questions.

📅 Thursday, 28 May 2026
🕖 7:30pm – 8:30pm
💻 Online via Microsoft Teams

💚 Free for all refugee & migrant community members

Spaces are limited - don't miss yours!
🔗 Register now: https://events.humanitix.com/starting-a-business-workshop

This is an exciting collaboration between Girl in Motion and HOST International Aotearoa New Zealand, as part of our Grow Your Roots series - because when you grow, we all grow. 🌿

Tag a friend who is ready to take that first step. 💪

.co Girl in Motion NZ

28/05/2026

Our Migrants Meet and Share event is on this evening from 5:30pm in the Scottish Hall (back entrance door).

As it's now getting cooler in the evening, we'll have the heat pump cranked up to make it as warm as possible!

Full details: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BUSyrL1Jg/

David
WM - Community Engagement Lead

25/05/2026

Navigating your children in the digital world can sometimes feel overwhelming.

Netsafe has created a fantastic resource especially for parents — the Digital Guardian Guide — packed with practical tips, advice, and support to help keep tamariki safe online.

Visit the guide here:
https://digitalguardian.guide/?mc_cid=38054e5700

A great resource for families navigating online devices, social media, gaming, and cyber safety together. 💙

Justyna
WMC Community Connector

Keep Your Family Safe Online | Connecting And Talking About Online Safety and Wellbeing | Netsafe's Digital Guardian Guide

25/05/2026

Yesterday we had a great wellbeing workshop with Satoko Kuriya at the Pottery patch, learning how to create memory books.

Thank you, Satoko for sharing your expertise, creativity and knowledge with us.

The wellbeing programme is designed to encourage the participants to slow down, take some "me" time and connect through creativity and mindfulness. Great to see that happening yesterday.

All your memory books look amazing.

Thank you everyone for coming and making it such a lovely afternoon.

Until the next one🙂

Justyna
WMC Community Connector

25/05/2026

A new episode our Migrant Musings with Waitaki Multicultural podcast is now out!

In the latest episode, Maddy Lovatt interviews Nikolai Valov (a music teacher at Waitaki Boys' High School, originally from Australia), has a conversation with Waitaki Multicultural Chair Robert Roodnat, and an events and activities update.

Thank you Nikolai for sharing you story!

🎧 Tune in, be inspired, and celebrate the voices that make our community stronger.

Listen at https://oar.org.nz/shows/migrant-musings/

Happy listening!

David
Community Engagement Lead
Waitaki Multicultural

21/05/2026

💪: Stronger Waitaki's one-stop support shop

Finding help in Waitaki has just become easier, with the launch of the Stronger Waitaki Support Finder — a new online tool designed to connect residents and whānau with the support they need, when they need it most.

The interactive tool brings together information on housing, health, finances, food, and social support, making it simpler for individuals and families to find the right help quickly and easily. Developed through a partnership between Stronger Waitaki and Health New Zealand, the Support Finder is a key outcome of the Waitaki Health Futures Project, Te Waka Hauora o Waitaki.

Ali McIntyre, Community and Stronger Waitaki Lead, says the new tool responds directly to a clear need in the community.

“We know there is already a wide range of support available across Waitaki, but it can sometimes be difficult for people to find or navigate,” says McIntyre.

“The Support Finder brings that information together in one place, so people can quickly see what is available and how to access it.”

The Support Finder has been built to be practical and easy to use, with straightforward information about what each service offers and who may be eligible. The platform will continue to grow over time, with additional services and updated information added as community use and feedback increase.

“This is just the beginning,” says McIntyre. “We will keep building on the Support Finder, adding services and refining the information so it remains current and useful for our community. We also know there will be services we have not captured yet.”

Community groups, organisations, and service providers who would like to be included in the Support Finder are encouraged to get in touch with Stronger Waitaki at [email protected].

Residents, whānau, and community organisations are encouraged to explore the Support Finder and share it widely across their networks.

The Stronger Waitaki Support Finder is now live and available at: https://www.waitaki.govt.nz/Support

21/05/2026

✨ You have something valuable to offer the world - and we want to help you share it.

Starting a business can feel overwhelming, especially when you're navigating a new country, a new system, and a new set of rules. But you don't have to figure it all out alone.

We are delighted to invite you to our Starting a Business Workshop - a free, one-hour online session full of practical knowledge, real guidance, and genuine encouragement for anyone from a refugee or migrant background who has ever thought about running their own business in New Zealand.

This is more than just a workshop - it’s a community of people who understand your journey, believe in your potential, and want to see you succeed. Come as you are, with your dreams, doubts, and questions.

📅 Thursday, 28 May 2026
🕖 7:30pm – 8:30pm
💻 Online via Microsoft Teams

💚 Free for all refugee & migrant community members

Spaces are limited - don't miss yours!
🔗 Register now: https://events.humanitix.com/starting-a-business-workshop

This is an exciting collaboration between Girl in Motion and HOST International Aotearoa New Zealand, as part of our Grow Your Roots series - because when you grow, we all grow. 🌿

Tag a friend who is ready to take that first step. 💪

.co Girl in Motion NZ