Multicultural NZ and Newcomers Network join forces
Multicultural New Zealand and New Zealand Newcomers
Network join forces
Multicultural NZ (Federation of Multicultural Councils Inc.) and the New Zealand Newcomers Network are to join forces, creating New Zealand’s largest and most far reaching national body concerned with the social and cultural welfare of migrants and newcomers.
Tayo Agunlejika, Executive Director of Multicultural New Zealand, says ‘the joining of the two organisations is exciting, a creative and positive response to the challenges many not-for-profits are facing today. Multicultural New Zealand strives to be an adaptable and relevant organisation and do the best for all ethnic communities throughout New Zealand, including refugees, migrants and newcomers. The two organisations are a natural fit and we are looking forward to further expanding our reach and impact.’
The New Zealand Newcomers Network
will be a free standing and independent programme within the
structure of Multicultural New Zealand and continue the same
national services, supporting regional Newcomers Networks
and all their volunteers to create and provide informal
social activities and events for migrants and all newcomers
to and within New Zealand.
Andreja Phillips, the
National Manager of New Zealand Newcomers, says ‘our
extremely transient modern society makes it difficult for
new people to build a sense of belonging - it can be very
lonely. And it's not just migrants from overseas - Kiwis
moving around New Zealand come up against the same
challenges. Newcomers Networks play a vital role providing
connections, events and other activities to help people feel
at home in their new community. Sometimes it's something
like this that makes all the difference between people
successfully settling down, or becoming isolated and not
being able to integrate. Newcomers Networks are also great
for social connectedness in the host communities and forging
links between ethnic communities. Cultural competence and
connection just happen naturally in these relaxed and
informal settings.”
To now have the opportunity to provide Newcomers Network services under the auspices of Multicultural New Zealand is reason to celebrate. The closer collaboration will enable the two service providers to collaborate more widely, create more linkages and be more relevant to funders.
Multicultural NZ (Federation of Multicultural Councils Inc.) is a national organisation with 19 constituent regional multicultural councils throughout New Zealand and national councils for women, youth, seniors and business. They offer a national collective voice for ethnic, migrant and refugee communities and provide advice to government and civil society on multicultural policy and practice. They work in partnership with other national organisations and foster collaboration to promote cultural diversity and deliver a range of programmes including multicultural education and training, multicultural sports, settlement support programmes, youth activities and community capacity building. Multicultural New Zealand has a record of 27 years’ successful service to the community.
New Zealand Newcomers Network is a national organisation providing a web platform and support services to over 30 regional Newcomers Networks all over New Zealand, for the provision of informal social activities and events for migrants and newcomers to and within New Zealand. This service has been existing for 10 years.
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