Human Rights Commission
Media Release
25 August 2007

Diversity forum brings people together

Over a thousand people from throughout New Zealand are participating in the annual New Zealand Diversity Forum, starting in Auckland today and finishing with a plenary at the Auckland Museum on Tuesday.

The forum comprises over 20 different events at a variety of locations ranging from Waitakere and Parnell to Glen Innes and various venues in the central city.

Today's events include a showcase of the Outward Bound Trust's multi-ethnic and Maori courses at the Parnell Community Centre and a fusion dance event, Viva Eclectika, organised by the New Zealand Asia Association at the Dorothy Winstone theatre tonight.

Fifty young people from throughout New Zealand start a two day National Youth Forum on race relations today before taking part in other Diversity Forum events on Monday and making a presentation to the plenary forum on Tuesday.

Sunday will feature an interfaith celebration at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Parnell at 7.30pm, hosted by the Auckland City Council and the Auckland Interfaith Council. A forum on issues facing refugees in Auckland is being convened by the Ministry of Social Development's Family and Community Services.

Librarians from throughout the country will gather for a two day forum on libraries and diversity hosted by Waitakere City Libraries.

Police ethnic liaison officers, academic researchers, museum staff and local government community workers will attend their practitioner forums on Monday.

The AUT Pacific Media Centre will host the launch by Sir Paul Reeves' of respected journalist Carol Archie's Pou Kōrero: A Journalists' Guide to Māori and Current Affairs, an update of the classic by Michael King.

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