On December 3, 2016, Christchurch's annual Korean culture festival titled“Taste of Korea” was held at the City's Cathedral Square. Organised by the Korean Society of Christchurch, the K-Culture Festival is a good example of a migrant community sharing its unique culture with the local society as a way to maintain its roots and celebrate diversity and co-existence. This year’s event included a special guest performance from Seoul – The International Youth Arts Troupe – along with the traditional performances put on by members of the local Korean community to offer audiences a tantalising taste of Korean culture.

At the end of November, Citizens Advice Bureau (Christchurch area) hosted a seminar for migrants at the Ashburton Seniors’ Centre on the topic “Policing in New Zealand.” The event was attended by approximately 65 people, the majority of whom were Filipinos working in the dairy industry in Ashburton and neighbouring areas. The new Mayor of Ashburton, Donna Favel, and Councillors Thelma Bell and Selwyn Price, also attended.

An English class for migrants in Waimakariri district has attracted six students from Colombia, Thailand, Japan and France. Recent work by the Waimakariri District Council’s community team in organizing get together for our migrants resulted in the class where ESOL teacher Jude Archer provides tuition. Meeting weekly on a Thursday morning upstairs in the Ruataniwha Kaiapoi Civic Centre the class practise and improve their conversation skills.

Christchurch suffered a major earthquake in 2011. Northern Canterbury, particularly Kaikoura, did so on November 14. Five years back, several - more than 60 - agencies and migrant associations got involved and guaged whether the City's earthquake response was adequate. Some key learnings were presented as a result. We present some excerpts from that Report. Question is, have we learnt something from the past?   

Dozens of people took a seat on a blue ‘Smile Couch’ at the Ashburton A&P Show last month to find out more about the Ashburton District Council’s Start with a Smile campaign. The campaign, which launched in September, aims to make Mid Canterbury feel like home for the many newcomers who are choosing to live and work in the district.