Howick Local Board Community Engagement

 

ETHNIC AFFAIRS FORUM

MEETING RECORD

6 to 7.45pm, 17 May 2011

Howick Local Board Meeting Room

 

Attendance

19 people representing mainly Asian organisations and communities in the Howick Ward attended.

 

Presentations

Presentations were made by:

Michael Williams, HLB Chairman                        Local Board Aspirations Document

Local Plan Process

Wayne Huang, Portfolio Leader Ethnic Affairs           Local Board Ethnic Affairs Priorities

 

Workshop Feedback

Attendees broke into 4 working groups to discuss and provide feedback on the Ethnic Affairs priorities as laid out in the Draft Aspirations Document.

 

Aspiration Document Priorities

The discussion included:

�         Widespread support for the establishment of a Howick Ethnic Affairs Advisory Group / Forum / Committee

o        Such a group was seen as an opportunity for people to get involved in the community and increase connectedness � currently some people are living and mixing within their own communities but not the wider community

o        It was noted that a number of Asian people have come from countries where involvement in committees is not the norm and the format will need to be one that people are comfortable with and feel empowered to speak out

o        The group would be a channel to link into existing ethnic networks 

o        It was considered very important that the group is widely inclusive with representation from all ethnic communities, not just Asian

o        Some felt that the forum should be open invitation whilst others saw it as being representative

o        Membership should include a cross section of age groups � the voice of youth is important and opportunities are needed for ethnic youth to be involved in the community

 

�         Widespread support for celebrating and supporting ethnic events

o        Events showcasing their culture help develop confidence in ethnic communities , build bridges between communities and support successful settlement and integration

o        There are a number of existing events, mainly focussing on single cultures � it was considered important to continue to support such events � the support of Uxbridge Centre and Te Tuhi was acknowledged and welcomed 

o        There was wide spread support for a larger annual event involving all cultures including Kiwi / Maori � people envisaged this event would have a central theme and be run over several days.  Themes such as Lunar New Year would be relevant to a number of different cultures and lend itself to such an event.  Other themes suggested included Moon Cake Festival, Diwali, Lantern Festival, Easter, Christmas.  Some considered the theme should change each year to ensure the event remained interesting and exciting

o        The involvement of all cultures, including Kiwi / Maori, in the event was seen as very important

o        It would be important to offer something different from, and not clash with, other major ethnic events such as are run on the North Shore and the ASB Polyfest

o        Ethnic communities would support events by showcasing their cultures (dance, art, singing, food etc), offering their expertise on organising committees, providing volunteers and access to their networks, promoting events through ethnic media and encouraging community participation

 

�         The forum emphasised the importance of communication through Asian media

o        This is where new settlers go to get important information

o        The Howick Local Board should consider having a regular column in Asian newspapers � this could include information on bylaws, parks and other services in the community

o        It was recommended that all press releases and other communications, eg the recent survey on the Aspirations Document priorities, should be placed in Chinese and other ethnic media, including Indian Newslink, Triangle TV, AusNZ.net

o        It would also be helpful if the Auckland Council call centre and the CABs had interpreters

 

Other Priorities

The forum suggested an additional priority to provide information to help new settlers successfully integrate.  Information needed included:

�         Simple, basic information on daily life in New Zealand such as  the school system, school zoning and how to be involved in their children�s schools, important contacts eg JPs, local facilities and services, council services, building a house, getting a job, local attractions

�         A data base of local support groups who can provide help to families struggling to adapt eg relationship services, domestic violence etc

�         Training and employment information and opportunities � employment is key to successful settlement � it was noted that some large employers such as NZ Steel, Coca Cola and Fisher and Paykel invite groups to visit � this would be of interest to Chinese groups

�         Information for Asian businesses and employers to help them understand what they can and can�t do � such information may already be available but people need to know how to access it

�         How to keep safe from crime � it was felt that fear of crime prevents some people from venturing out into the community

�         The Auckland Council and Howick Local Board�s websites should have links to the above information in Asian languages

 

Other Issues

Forum attendees noted the predominance of Asian attendees and questioned why other ethnic groups, although invited, were not present.  They reiterated the importance of all groups being involved.

 

Feedback from participants

 Howick Church leader originally from Malaysia

 Dear Wayne,

I was very pleased to be invited by the Howick Local Board. The group discussion on that night was very constructive and challenging for the community. I believe this objective will definitely enhance a very positive growth to the economy, business and harmony of the Howick region.

Below are the objectives that I fully agree with:

1.Forming an ethnic affairs advisory committee

2.Enhancing and enriching our local identity by organising cultural and food festivals eg.mid-autumn Moon Cake Festival in Howick.

I hope we will have more of this forum so that the ethnic community will understand more deeply on the local issues so the integration into New Zealand economy and business will grow in a better way.

God bless New Zealand,

Pastor Chong

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It is very encouraging that the Howick Local Board initiated the Ethnic Affairs forum. I found the forum very informative and engaging. I appreciate the Howick Local Board�s effort and congratulate them for organising such a successful forum. It is my hope that the forum reflects the Board�s long-term strategy. With such a high percentage of ethnic Asian population in its area, the Howick Local Board should aim to lead the country and become a role model in promoting ethnic relations.

 

Dr Jian Yang MA (ANU), PhD (ANU)
Associate Dean Postgraduate

Faculty of Arts

To whom it may concern

I am writing this letter to say thank you again to the Howick Local Board for organizing such a successful ethnic affair forum. This is really a good way for the different ethnic groups within our community to connect with each other.

Today's New Zealand is by all means a multi-cultural society. A lot of Chinese people, along with people from all over the world, come to New Zealand to enjoy the beautiful landscape, peaceful and calm life, and to pursue a different lifestyle. We love this country! However, the cultural differences and the language barriers are still there, causing various communication problems. Sometimes the mainstream society just doesn�t understand the way we Chinese people carry on our life, and vice versa. That is why the ethnic committee in Howick Local Board and the events like ethnic affair forums are so important.

 

I totally agree with four priorities submitted to discuss on the forum. Establishing the ethnic committee is not only necessary, but also indispensable, given the fact that 32% local residents come from Asian countries originally. Celebrating ethnic events like the Moon Cake Festival is also a good idea, very creative! The lantern festival in Auckland City has become the annual carnival for almost all Aucklanders. Why can�t we make the Moon Cake Festival in Howick another icon event, attracting people from all over the super-Auckland to visit our beautiful community? As a member of Chinese Community and a professional media worker, I am particularly keen to the last, but not the least priority, namely, to use the ethnic media to publish the Board policies. As mentioned above, smooth communications are essential for the social harmony and extremely significant to prevent things like �anti-Asian flyers� from happening again!

 My family has been living in Shelly Park, a part of Howick for a long time. We love here and really can not find any reason to move out of this great community. We are grateful that we have so many great people of far vision working in our local Board. I will do whatever I can to help the Howick Local Board, if needed, to build up the beautiful, peaceful and harmonious place to live---- we call it HOME!

 Tony YE

Chief Editor

Chinese Herald