Communities Action Trust New Zealand (CATNZ), in association with Auckland Council’s Onehunga Centre, hosted Race Relations Day at the former’s centre with the community.
March 21 is observed as International Race Relations Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination since 1966, and several community organisations across New Zealand host events to commemorate the day and create awareness about racial discrimination and equality.
CATNZ, on Sunday, March 21, presented a multicultural concert, bringing together diverse communities from South and Southeast Asia.
“The event was brought together at short notice, with the performing groups really keen to connect and present their culture.
“We must come together, share our culture and work together, rejoicing the connections and diversity we have around us! Murali Kumar from CATNZ said.
In Dunedin, a celebration of culture was conducted observing Race Relations Week during the last weekend presenting a powhiri, drumming, musical shows and dance.
The event was attended by hundreds of people, starting with the powhiri at Arai Te Uru Marae, some performances near peach police at the museum-reserve, some groups gathered in their national costumes at the musical event Dunedin Botanic Garden.
In Timaru, International Food Festival was held outside Landing Service Building with 84 food stalls from around the world alongside Timaru Artisan Farmers Market.
The International Food Festival turned the city’s Landing Service precinct into a United Nations as several hundred people from different ethnicities and backgrounds came to enjoy the Race Relations Day event on Saturday, March 20.
Food and music-dance performances from India, Malaysia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Korea, South America, middle-eastern, Pacifica countries, and 20+ different nations feasted the crowd's taste buds and entertained them.
In Invercargill, Southland Multicultural Food Festival was held on Saturday, March 20, which was also attended by hundreds of people at the ILT Stadium Southland. The event presented cuisines of Korea, Brazil, Jamaica, South Africa, India and Colombia, among others feasting the crowd with multi-ethnic food on Race Relations Day celebrations.