Dunedin celebrates cultural diversity with 11 events over 8 days during Race Relations Week 2023

Dunedin Race Relations Week 2023 has kicked off with 11 events planned over 8 days to celebrate the multicultural and racial diversity in the community.

The Dunedin Multicultural Council (DMCC), a non-profit organisation, has organised this series of events to help the multi-ethnic communities come together and develop new skills, networks, and links with the wider communities of Dunedin.

Dr Lux Selvanesan, the Dunedin Multi Ethic Council president, said, “It is a privilege to be a part of this endeavour in bringing people together to celebrate social inclusion. The series of events throughout this week will be a perfect opportunity to celebrate the vibrancy and diversity of the South Dunedin community.”

Dr Lux Selvanesan(Left) at the Opening Event at Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, Dunedin 

Race Relations Day is celebrated annually in New Zealand on 21 March, a public holiday that recognises and celebrates the cultural and racial differences within the country. The holiday was established to honour the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, also celebrated on 21 March. The Sharpeville Massacre, which occurred in South Africa in 1960 and resulted in the death of 69 people, inspired the creation of this holiday.

Race Relations Commissioner of New Zealand, Meng Foon congratulated Dunedin Multicultural Council and said, “Congratulations to the organising committee for the hard work in putting the week together. It is an important occasion for us to talk about the issues of inclusion, belonging and the building of nationhood. I hope you enjoy all the events that have been organised. Our children and our grandchildren will benefit from our work going forward.”

Race Relations Commissioner of New Zealand, Meng Foon

The opening event was held on Saturday, 18 March, at Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, where Kotahitaka and DMCC joined in celebrating the diversity of Dunedin.

On Sunday 19 March morning, a gardening event was organised at the Heart and Soil Community Garden, where people came together to rejuvenate the garden by working on the soil and planting new herbs.

Councillor Christine Garey at the Opening event

Sunday also saw one of the most colourful events at Dunedin Botanical Garden- Sunday Sounds. This cultural festival brought the community together to enjoy a variety of cultural dances and performances from local talents. It was a brilliant atmosphere of appreciation of cultures, arts and beautiful costumes.

On 20 March, Men with Mana Cooking, a cooking session to promote conversation and dialogue about mental health, reducing family violence, and keeping families safe, will be held at SuperGrans Place in South Dunedin.

A special panel discussion with experts working in the migrant and refugee space on Tuesday, 21 March, at the Toitu Otago Settlers Museum, will feature Alaa Sukkar, Settlement Lead at NZ Red Cross, Associate Professor Vivienne Anderson, Abdal Moneem Kyassah of Abdal Catering, and City Councillor Marie Laufiso from DCC.

DMCC on Air Radio on Otago Access Radio 105.4FM will also be held on the same day. This event will provide interviews and panel discussions with key people who make a difference in the community, and discuss topics and areas relevant to Race Relations Day and Migrant and Refugee settlement in New Zealand.

On Wednesday, 22 March, families with children under six will come to a cultural potluck at South City Mall, featuring the Storytime. The day will continue with the Diversity Dinner Potluck, where multicultural communities share a meal cooked by many different cultural groups.

DMCC Youth Council will be hosting the Ethnic Rangatahi Race Unity Event on 23 March where the talents of Otepoti youth from all kinds of backgrounds, ethnicities, and cultures will be showcased through an art exhibition.

Chai & Chat on Friday, 24 March, will be a women’s only event where they will bring a plate of their ethnic or cultural dishes to celebrate the diversity.

Dunedin Race Relations Week 2023 will come to a close with Powhiri on Saturday, 25 March at Araiteuru Marae.