Race Relations
Hamilton City Council
Hamilton’s population growth is among the fastest in the country. It is a growing multicultural city with more than 160 ethnicities being represented.
The Hamilton City Council seeks to enhance the social, cultural, environmental and economic wellbeing of ethnic communities. The aim is to strengthen city wellbeing by working with agencies and the community to bring about positive change for people. There is an Ethnic Development Advisor dedicated to achieve this end. This has allowed for increased services for new settlers and the promotion of cultural diversity in the region. The Hamilton City Council works in collaboration with Settlement Support New Zealand based at the Waikato Migrant Resource Centre contributing to the New Zealand Settlement Strategy.
Visit the Hamilton City Council’s website.
Projects 2012
Waitangi Day
Hamilton city will commemorate Waitangi Day at Civic Square, Garden Place 7am – 3pm on Monday 6 February. The event will begin with an opening ceremony at 7am which will be followed by interactive Treaty workshops and live entertainment.
Race Relations Day 2012
Date: Saturday 24 March 2012
Event Duration: 11am – 3pm
Venue: Garden Place City Central, Hamilton
Indigo Festival
The Hamilton City Council will again support the Indigo Festival which is now an annual event. The event this year will be in mid November. The event is supported each year by the Hamilton Multicultural Services Trust, Waikato Multicultural Council, Hamilton Community Arts Council, and the Department of Internal Affairs.
Ethnic Listening Forums
The annual Ethnic Communities Listening Forum is between ethnic communities and the elected members of Hamilton City Council. It is an opportunity for the Hamilton ethnic community to discuss issues with the mayor and councillors.
Citizenship Ceremonies
HCC hosts monthly citizenship ceremonies at Reception Lounge, Hamilton City Council.
Cultural Festivals, Events and Functions
New Zealand’s longest standing ethnic football festival takes place in Hamilton every year with 24 teams playing 66 games over two days, plus eight women teams will be competing in the women division. This year is the 11th New Zealand Ethnic Football Festival and will include food, and arts and craft stalls. The festival will again take place at Gower Park in early October.
Hamilton Directory for New Settlers
HCC publishes the Hamilton Directory which provides a wealth of information for new settlers including interpreting and health/community services.
Services for New Settlers
HCC provides full support to the many initiatives within the city that help to assist new settlers. It works closely with the Waikato Migrant Resource Centre, which provides a number of useful services to new settlers. These services include ESOL home tutoring services and Relationship Services, which deliver the “Relating Well in NZ Orientation Programme”. The programme is designed to support people to develop knowledge, skills and confidence to set and meet their goals for successful settlement and adjustment to life in New Zealand
Contact: Philip Yeung philip.yeung@hcc.govt.nz