New Zealand Federation of Ethnic Councils Inc.

PRESS RELEASE
Thursday, July 02, 2009 Federation name change endorsed

20 years on and looking 10 years ahead the New Zealand Federation of Ethnic Councils members unanimously endorsed the council to be known as New Zealand Federation of Multicultural councils at their Annual General Meeting held in Wellington recently.

The meeting was well attended with over 80 delegates from around the country and guest speakers Wellington City Council Mayor Kerry Prendergast, Mervin Singham, Director of Office of Ethnic Affairs representing Minister Hon. Pansy Wong.

The Federation is the only pan ethnic and a truly multicultural national organization with networks nationwide. The meeting recognized the changing demographics of NZ and the urgency for a solid multicultural infrastructure for the nation. The Federation endorsed constitutional changes to allow it to operate as a Treaty based multicultural organization.

Moving forward the Federation will be carrying the brand name “Multicultural New Zealand”.

The Federation’s MOU partners were represented by Supt. Wallace Haumaha, National Manager for Maori Pacific Ethnic Services of NZ Police and Ann Dysart, Manager for Family & Community Services of Ministry of Social Development and Morgan Davie of Centre for Applied Cross-cultural Research. Wellington City Council was represented by Deputy Mayor Ian Mckinnon.

Mayor Kerry Prendergast, Mervin Singham Director of OEA and other speakers applauded the Federation’s outgoing President Pancha Narayanan for his six years of leadership and achievements over the period. The Federation awarded its highest honor Merit Certificate presented by MP. Dr. Rajendra Prasad at the annual dinner held after the meeting.

Mr. Prem Singh, Vice president of NZFEC and immediate past president of Ethnic Council Wellington was elected the new President of the NZ Federation of Multicultural Councils, along with Ms. Alexis LewGor of Rotorua, as Vice President, Al-haj Gul Zaman of Counties Manukau, Secretary and Mr. Vijeshwar Prasad of Wanganui, Treasurer.

The Federation is looking forward to a sustainable future to build through its Capacity and Women’s projects to provide New Zealand with well trained volunteers and assist successful settlement of immigrants.

The Federation is the only pan ethnic and non aligned national organization that has collective reach of over 700,000 people of New Zealand.

ENDS

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