Venkat Raman
Auckland, October 8, 2020
Acting Superintendent (New Zealand Police) Rakesh Naidoo receiving the Distinguished Services Award from Chief Human Rights Commissioner Paul Hunt
Photo Credit: Manasi Subramanian: https://www.facebook.com/Manasi.VFX
Director General Health Dr Ashley Goldsmith and Acting Superintendent of Police (National Engagements and Operations Manager) Rakesh Naidoo were among the stalwarts who were honoured by the Wellington based Multicultural New Zealand (MNZ) at its Annual General Meeting in the Capital on Saturday, September 26, 2020.
The two-day event included speeches, an engagement with the Maori community and other communities, discussions on fostering inclusion and multiculturalism, election of office-bearers for the MNZ Year 2020-2021 and presentation of Awards.
Pancha Narayanan was re-elected to the post of President. His team for the year includes Marion Kerepeti-Edwards (Vice-President), Rabeea Inayatullah (Secretary) and Prem Singh (Treasurer).
Racism and Human Rights
His Opening Address was followed by a message on racism by Sir Mark Solomon of Ngai Tahu.
Chief Human Rights Commissioner Paul Hunt spoke on the need to ‘re-imagine’ human rights based on the ‘3-Rs’: relationships; responsibilities and rights.
“Responsibilities should include not only officials and others connected with the government but all of us to each other. Human Rights are not only about ‘I’ and ‘Me’ but also about ‘We’ and ‘Us.’ They are grounded in Te Tiriti,” he said.
Mr Pancha described the event as a ‘historic moment in the journey of New Zealand to becoming a truly Te Tiriti-based Nation.
“It brought together a unique group of prominent national community leaders along with kaumatua Maori and multicultural delegates from 19 different regions of Aotearoa. Held at Te Wharewaka o te Poneke, it included a powhiri with Te Atiawa, mana whenua of Poneke Wellington and the Iwi to which the MNZ kaumatua and patron Ihakara Puketapu belongs,” he said.
Director General of Health Dr Ashely Bloomfield receives his Award from MNZ President Pancha Narayanan at his office in Wellington
Biculturalism and Multiculturalism
The highlight of the opening ceremony was a Wananga with kaumatua Maori o te motu, opened by Deputy Police Commissioner (Maori, Pacific and Ethnic Services) Wallace Haumaha, facilitated by Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon and E Tu Whanau advocate and Ngati Kahungunu member PJ Devonshire.
“This Wananga challenged notions of biculturalism and multiculturalism in Aotearoa and explored what a Treaty-based Pathway to Citizenship would look like to both Tangata Whenua and Tangata Tiriti. We launched our latest Huarahi Hou report, covering the blessings and wisdom received from tangata whenua for this hikoi,” Mr Pancha said.
Distinguished Services Awards
MNZ honoured five persons with Distinguished Service Awards for their services to various aspects of communities. They included Dr Te Maire Tau (Director, Ngai Tahu Research Centre, University of Canterbury), David Dome (General Manager, Wellington Phoenix), Rakesh Naidoo (Acting Superintendent, National Engagement and Operations Manager, New Zealand Police), Kate Frykberg (Trustee, Te Muka Rau Think Tank Charitable Trust) and Dr Ashley Bloomfield (Director General of Health, New Zealand).
Group photo in the Wharewaka wharenui
Manasi Subramanian: https://www.facebook.com/Manasi.VFX
“We at MNZ look forward to engaging relationships with our member Regional Multicultural Councils, Tangata Whenua, government agencies, organisations and individuals that are committed to the marutau (safety), kotahitanga (unity) and mana of the rich diversity of communities that call Aotearoa home. We published the MNZ’s 2020 Advocacy document at the event. It was acknowledged as the powerful voice of Aotearoa’s multicultural communities’ recommendations for Government in the lead up to the 2020 Election,” Mr Pancha said.
Group photo in the Wharewaka wharenui. Members of MNZ, Regional Multicultural Councils, Kaumatua from Tauranga, Whanganui, Christchurch, Wellington, Upper Hutt, Porirua, Whangarei, Wainuiomata/Lower Hutt, Hawkes Bay. MNZ Kaumatua Ihakara Puketapu, Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon, Former Race Relations Commissioner Gregory Fortuin, New Zealand Police National Engagement Advisor Inspector Rakesh Naidoo, Ngai Tahu Chief Sir Mark Solomon, NZ Police Deputy Commissioner Wally Haumaha.
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