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Ethnic Whispers February 2011


Foreword

Hon Hekia Parata

Kia ora koutou and greetings everyone

Like all New Zealanders, I was shocked and deeply saddened by the devastation of the Christchurch earthquake. I join all New Zealanders in sending condolences and sympathy to the bereaved and sincere support and aroha to everyone coping with the challenges that are now to be faced.

Recently I met with a number of ethnic groups in Christchurch that are supporting others who have lost their loved ones, their homes, their jobs. These communities are facing a number of challenges which I am following up on, and have included in this issue of Ethnic Whispers.


Financial Support to Displaced People and Volunteers

There are international students who have become displaced and urgently require food and shelter. A number of ethnic groups have rallied together to provide assistance to these students.

The Government recently announced Civil Defence payments to meet the immediate needs of people affected by the earthquake. These payments can cover the cost of food, clothing, bedding, billeting costs, and loss of livelihood (where evacuees cannot work and lose income due to the emergency). International students and those that are providing shelter and food to others can access the Civil Defence payments.

For further information contact the Work and Income call centre on 0800 559 009 (for working age) and 0800 552 002 (for 65 and over), or visit one of the Work and Income sites:

For those that have opened informal welfare centres in their homes there may be further financial assistance to support you with expenses. For further information email information@familyservices.govt.nz or call the Family and Community Service’s South Island office on 03 963 2381.

Financial Support to Business Owners and Workers

The Government announced the Christchurch Earthquake Support package estimated to be worth between $100 million and $120 million, which aims to help businesses and workers through the next six weeks.

There are a number of packages available to provide financial support to business owners and workers. The package that you are entitled to will depend on your circumstances. Work and Income will begin taking applications today. You can contact them on 0800 779 997 or visit one of the Work and Income offices.

Social Services and Support

Support and counselling services are available by calling 0800 777 846.

You can also visit Rehua Marae, 79 Springfield Road, St Albans, Christchurch. The Marae holds briefings for ethnic communities on relevant information, including financial assistance packages and general emergency updates. They also provide tea, coffee, food and general support to those in need. For more information please call 03 355 5615 ext 721 or ext 722.

Communication to Isolated People

Effective communication is vital to ensuring that people in your community are aware of the financial and social support available to them. We are trying to organise radio access for people who may be isolated from communication channels because they do not have electricity or access to print media. The Christchurch Migrant Centre Trust is our point of contact for this and can be contacted through Rex Gibson at rex.cmct@xtra.co.nz.

Language Line, the telephone interpreting service, is also available on request in 41 languages. Ask for it, so that you can make your individual needs and that of your loved ones clear. Language Line is also available on the Government’s Canterbury Earthquake Helpline 0800 779 997. If you are concerned about your friends or relatives in Christchurch you can call 0800 RED CROSS (0800 733 276). Language Line is also available for this helpline. The Civil Defence Ministry is providing regular updates on the situation in Christchurch, including where to seek assistance and what to do in emergencies. I encourage you to keep an eye on the Civil Defence updates through the www.civildefence.govt.nz website.

Telecom pay phones are free in Christchurch to people who want to make local, mobile, and national calls. People are being asked to keep these calls to a minimum to free up the network for emergency response lines.

Understanding the Issues for Ethnic Communities

On my recent visit to Christchurch I had the opportunity to meet with four ethnic communities. It was an opportunity to understand and address some of the particular challenges ethnic people face during times of crisis. I am aware that there are other issues faced by ethnic groups and it is important to me and the Office of Ethnic Affairs that we hear about these challenges and do what we can to support everyone. I want to encourage you to please contact the Office to inform us of your needs. In particular we want to know about the migration of ethnic people to other cities and how these people are coping with the resettlement process.

As New Zealanders, we stand together with the people of Christchurch and the Canterbury region. It is times like these that we are reminded of the importance of community and of our common humanity. I encourage you all to support each other to rebuild the city of Christchurch, damaged homes, and communities.

As Minister I want to express my support to all who are suffering, my gratitude to all the rescue teams and back-up support people, and my heartfelt aroha to all who are affected.

Hon Hekia Parata
Minister for Ethnic Affairs

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Support for ethnic communities affected by earthquake

The 6.3-magnitude earthquake has caused significant damage to Christchurch.

For the latest information and advice visit the Ministry of Civil Defence website.

People concerned about the wellbeing of friends and relatives in Christchurch should call 0800 REDCROSS (0800 733 276).

A special phone help-line has been set up for people seeking information about Government services and support. It is 0800 779 997.

For those with little or no English the Office of Ethnic Affairs’ telephone interpretation service is available. Language Line can help provide everyone with the help and information they need.

The Director of the Office of Ethnic Affairs, Mervin Singham says: “in times like this it is essential that people with little or no English are able to access information, advice and entitlements in the same way that any other New Zealanders can. The Office of Ethnic Affairs is committed to ensuring that this occurs”.

The numbers below offer Language Line and assistance in your language. Other agencies which use Language Line and the list of languages can be found at www.languageline.govt.nz.

ACC Claims 0800 101 996
Christchurch City Council 03 941 8999
Work and Income 0800 559 009
Child, Youth & Family 0508 326 459
Housing New Zealand Corporation 0800 801 601
Earthquake Commission 0800 326 243
Inland Revenue 0800 227 774
Heathline 0800 611 116
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Senior US representative to be key speaker at Ethnic Affairs Forum

Farah Pandith

The US Government’s Special Representative to Muslim Communities, Farah Pandith, is to be the key speaker at the Office of Ethnic Affairs’ Auckland forum in April. Her job is to engage with Muslims around the world.

Farah Pandith reports directly to the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton. Her aim is to be in touch with Muslim communities on a local level and to find ways to connect individuals who have great ideas with one another around the world. She has made one other quick visit to New Zealand, in December last year and says she was delighted to meet people from the country’s small Muslim population and from other ethnic communities.

The Auckland Ethnic Affairs forum in Auckland is being held on 1 and 2 April 2011 at Alexandra Park, Green Lane West, Epsom, Auckland. The full programme will be published soon on our website as well as details about our other forums in Wellington and Christchurch.

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2011 Census

Government Statistician Geoff Bascand and Statistics Minister Maurice Williamson announced the 8 March 2011 Census will not be held.

For more information www.stats.govt.nz.

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Christchurch Refugee Resettlement Forum Preparation

More than 60 women with refugee backgrounds have been working together to prepare for a forthcoming forum on 9 March in Christchurch on refugee resettlement.

They recently attended a meeting to discuss some of the details – but it wasn’t all hard work: interactive fun, discussion, and some problem solving accompanied delicious food.

Women from the Somali, Ethiopian, Eritrean, Afghan and Bhutanese communities gathered at the invitation of the Canterbury Refugee Council. The Council is contracted by the Department of Labour, under the national Strengthening Refugee Voices initiative, to consult widely prior to scheduled resettlement forums around the country.

Claire Phillips, an Ethnic Affairs Advisor from the Office of Ethnic Affairs Christchurch office, was invited to facilitate both of the forums. Of the women’s forum, she says “in any setting, when you get a group of women together, interesting things happen, and this event was no different. ... Forums such as these enable people at the grass-roots to contribute to the design of solutions. It’s a privilege to be part of that”.

A youth forum was also held with the same purpose of ensuring a strong and cohesive community voice.

Representatives from the women and youth forums will report back their discussions and recommendations at the upcoming Regional Refugee Resettlement Forum on 9 March 2011.

Canterburys future. Youth forum participants enjoy each others company after a lively evening of discussion back to top

A new poster and bookmark from CLANZ the Language Maintenance group

New resources displaying how to say “hello” in 21 languages celebrate the drive to keep mother tongues alive. Kia Ora, (Maori), Ni hao, (Mandarin), Nei ho ma? (Cantonese), Namaste (Hindi), Ahn nyung ha-se-yo (Korean), Hola (Spanish), and Marhaba (Arabic) are just a few of the languages displayed on new posters and bookmarks produced by the Community Languages Association of New Zealand.

It has been an exciting time for those involved in maintaining the languages of New Zealand’s many ethnicities. February 21st is the UNESCO declared International Mother Language Day and to celebrate, CLANZ (the Community Languages Association of New Zealand) and English Language Partners New Zealand are launching a special poster and a bookmark. They have “hello” in 29 languages that are spoken in New Zealand and the bookmark also has suggestions for teachers and helpers on ways to use the resources.

CLANZ president, Sunita Narayan, says it is timely to celebrate some of New Zealand’s many ways of saying “hello". She adds that while these languages are most often spoken in the home, International Mother Language Day showcases New Zealand’s increasing cultural diversity and highlights the opportunity we have to expand our social and economic connections globally.

For copies of the resource email: grace.bassett@englishlanguage.org.nz and to find out more about some of the sponsoring organisations go to: English Language Partners and CLANZ.

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Sooyoung Lee is making a difference in her community

Sooyoung Lee

Sooyoung Lee, the President of the Korean Women’s Network in New Zealand, recently told the Office of Ethnic Affairs her inspiring story of building a busy and fulfilling life as a ‘new Kiwi’. Sooyoung says, “now I feel I am totally a Kiwi – I enjoy being part of our multicultural society and the Office of Ethnic Affairs has been with me along my journey. I have learned that having diverse people and ideas brings power to a country”.

Arriving in New Zealand in 2003, Sooyoung encountered many challenges settling as a new migrant. “For a long time, I felt lonely and isolated, like an outsider and I wanted to go back to Korea. I spent a lot of time in my house, experienced depression and struggled to feel worthwhile”. A turning point came when Sooyoung volunteered at an Office of Ethnic Affairs’ event and subsequently attended an Office of Ethnic Affairs Women’s Leadership Training workshop. The training inspired Sooyoung to get involved with the community – “I realised that I could be a leader. The workshop was a really significant opportunity which motivated me to start working for my community”.

Realising that other women would be going through similar experiences to her, Sooyoung established a Korean women’s coffee group in 2009 to bring women from her community together to chat, share their experiences and offer each other encouragement and support.

She registered her group as an incorporated association, the Korean Women’s Network in New Zealand (KWNNZ). This now has more than 90 members in Auckland. The group runs seminars on accessing services and information, a wellbeing programme which offers educational information on topics ranging from breast screening to managing stress, and fun fitness activities including yoga, golf, salsa and zumba classes. Last December, Sooyoung’s group received a Community Excellence Award from Harbour Sport in recognition of its contribution to the wellbeing of women in the community.

Sooyoung says she has big plans for expanding KWNNZ in the future. The Office of Ethnic Affairs looks forward to continuing working together and to witnessing the group’s continued growth and success.

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Chinese New Year Celebration at Parliament

Staff from the Office of Ethnic Affairs joined the Prime Minister, John Key and the Minister for Ethnic Affairs, Hekia Parata, at Parliament on 9 February to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit. Around two hundred representatives from the Chinese community attended.

As guests arrived, staff from the Minister for Ethnic Affairs’ office presented them with a small red envelope, decorated with gold Chinese characters, which is a symbol of good luck and is thought to ward of evil spirits.

The Director of the Office of Ethnic Affairs, Mervin Singham was among the dignitaries who were led in to the Banquet Hall by a Chinese Lion.

The traditional lion dance is another symbol of good luck and in election year, the Prime Minister, John Key was probably delighted to be treated to an up close and personal encounter from the lion.

Chinese New Year Celebration at Parliament - 9 February 2011

Berlinda Chin, who’s the Manager of the Intercultural Advisory team at the Office of Ethnic Affairs, acted as MC for the occasion and introduced the four speakers.

In her speech, the Minister for Ethnic Affairs, Hon Hekia Parata, described New Zealand as a multi-ethnic society with a rich and historic Chinese culture, which has contributed a lot to the country.

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Your story can help research about moving to New Zealand

A Victoria University PhD student, Jessie Wilson, is looking for newcomers to participate in a survey to help her research. If you have moved to this country and you are happy to discuss why and the opportunities and challenges you have faced, consider being a part of it.

The Office of Ethnic Affairs and researchers with the Centre for Applied Cross-Cultural Research (CACR) at Victoria University of Wellington invite you to participate in a survey regarding your reasons for moving to New Zealand, the opportunities and challenges you experience here, and your well-being. The survey is for migrants who are 16 and over, born outside New Zealand and who have been living in the country for five years or less.

If you would like to take part you can access the survey at www.surveymonkey.com. A hard copy of the survey is also available upon request e-mail jessie.wilson@vuw.ac.nz. The organisers thank you for your interest! They say:

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Increasing the visibility of events for New Zealand’s diverse communities

Ethnic & multicultural events are a vibrant and important part of New Zealand's cultural activity. They represent an excellent way for all New Zealanders to learn about, celebrate, and respect each other’s cultures.

The Office of Ethnic Affairs is now using Eventfinder and this means you will find it easier to identify what is happening and where in the ethnic calendar. Eventfinder has also created a home page to group together events of interest to the Ethnic communities.

Eventfinder is New Zealand’s national events calendar. We have recently engaged with them to create new categories for ethnic and multicultural events. They have added sub-categories for ethnic and multicultural events under their key categories of Festivals, Performing Arts, and Workshops.

It can be found at: www.eventfinder.co.nz.

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If you'd like to be sent Ethnic Whispers by email, please let us know by contacting the Office of Ethnic Affairs at ethnic.affairs@dia.govt.nz

Ethnic Whispers is published by the Office of Ethnic Affairs. Readers should note that apart from the foreword the contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the official views or policy of the Minister for Ethnic Affairs.