Inclusive Aotearoa Collective Tāhono – UPDATE #31

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Kia Ora Koutou

Kei te pēhea koe?/How are you?

The last month has been a tough one for many with raised Alert Levels and lockdowns, and the tragic event that occurred in West Auckland on Sept 3. We’re sending our aroha to you with this latest e-news – we hope you’re doing OK.

Keep scrolling for all the latest events, news, opportunities and updates from us. This month presents several opportunities for you to be involved in our mahi, and participate in some awesome national awareness campaigns!

Ngā mihi nui,

The IACT team


Upcoming Hui

Like everyone else, some of our planned hui had to be postponed to a later date due to the recent changes in Alert Levels. Here’s an updated schedule of planned hui for the coming weeks.

Having the Important Conversations: Thursday 16 September, 1pm – 2pm, hosted on Zoom. Places still available – email us if you’d like to attend.

Te Toto Kei Roto (a Treaty that resonates with all of us): Tauranga, rescheduled for Wednesday 13 October. Email us if you’d like to attend.

We are planning to host a hui in Whangarei in October and we want to know from YOU what you would like to us to deliver. Get in touch with your ideas!

Head over to our Events page on our website for regular event updates.


In the News

Join us for a Zui with the NZ Human Rights Commission

When: Wednesday 15 September 2021, 3pm – 4pm, hosted on Zoom.

The New Zealand Human Rights Commission (HRC) is currently engaging with the public over the best action to take to eliminate racism in Aotearoa New Zealand. This is a strategic priority for the Commission – the nation’s independent human rights body. This mahi will feed into the Government’s National Action Plan Against Racism.

We are teaming up with the HRC to deliver an online consultation, so that ourselves and members of the public can have their say on the following questions:

  • What is your vision for an Aotearoa New Zealand that is free of racism?
  • What difference would a racism-free Aotearoa New Zealand make to your life?
  • What are your best ideas that would enable Aotearoa New Zealand to be free of racism?

If you can’t make our Zui, you can make your submission online until 23 Nov 2021.

For additional information, check out the HRC’s tips for responding to racism and anti-racism tools.

Register to attend Zui


Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori 2021 – starting today!

Today is the first day of Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori/Māori Language Week for 2021!

Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori has been developed by the Māori Language Commission and is about honouring the past, celebrating one of our national languages and preparing for our future. Together.

We are a proud Te Tiriti based organisation and a very important part of this is regularly using and learning reo Māori in our daily work – at our hui’s, on our social media, when we communicate with each other.

To mark the occasion, we’ll be participating as a team in the Māori Language Moment on Tues 14 Sept, 12pm. Look out for our Moment on our social media!

The Reo Māori website has everything you need to participate in Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori and the Māori Language Moment – jump online and sign up now!

Kia kaha te reo Māori! #reomāori


Co-facilitate conversations with us

This week we are co-facilitating an important conversation with Eva Chen, founder of the Wellbeing Charitable Trust and members of her community to help answer the question “What being seen and heard looks like for minority ethnic children and their whānau in accessing mental health services.”

Cross-community collaboration is an important part of our kaupapa, and we’re keen to hear from other communities and organisations who are interested in co-facilitating an important conversation with us.

One of our project facilitators, Ara, recently did a short video interview with Eva about why this is an important conversation to have.

Watch the interview


Take time to Kōrero – Mental Health Awareness Week 2021

From the 27 September – 3 October 2021 it’s Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW).

MHAW is an annual national awareness campaign led by the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand and is all about connecting with the people in our lives and creating space for conversations about mental health and wellbeing.

This year’s theme is take time to kōrero/mā te kōrero, ka ora – through conversation, comes wellbeing. Connection is so important for our wellbeing – it brings purpose and belonging to our lives and makes us feel happier and more secure.

Keep an eye on our socials that week, as we’ll be sharing reasons why taking the time to kōrero is vital from a belonging and inclusion perspective.

Check out the Mental Health Foundation website for MHAW resources, activities and much more! #MHAWNZ


IACT in Action

Speak Up Kōrerotia Panel Discussion

An interesting panel discussion with Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel, Jordan Carter (Internet NZ) and Anjum on what progress has been made since the Christchurch Call was established in 2019.

Listen now

Festival for the Future – Videos

Last month we shared that Anjum had given two presentations at the Festival for the Future event in Wellington. The videos of her presentation are now available for viewing, click here to watch!

Waatea News interview – New Lynn attack

Anjum spoke to Claudette Hauiti at Waatea News about the tragic incident that took place on Friday 3 September in New Lynn – in particular what actions can be taken from a belonging and inclusion perspective to prevent similar events from occurring in the future.

Listen to the interview

Review of ‘On Hate’ documentary

Anjum wrote a review for The Spinoff of the Patrick Gower documentary ‘On Hate’, which screened on TV 3 on 30 August and is now available to view via Three Now.

“On the whole, the documentary did a good job of presenting issues to the public in a digestible way, while keeping the victims at the forefront. It was never going to be an easy watch, but I hope my fellow Kiwis not only watched it, but continue to engage with the issues it raised.”

Read the full review

Webinar: Being human in an Inhumane World

The National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Otago hosted a highly informative panel discussion on Friday 10 September to discuss the New Lynn attack and amendments to the Terrorism Suppression Act 2002.

The panel featured: Anjum Rahman, Richard Jackson, Andrew Geddis, Clarke Jones & Shirley Gabriella Achieng.

Watch the webinar


Opportunities

Fully funded PhD scholarship with University of Auckland

An exciting opportunity has opened up to contribute to an emerging area of racism scholarship in Aotearoa New Zealand. The scholarship is offered as part of Working to End Racism (WERO) and the topic is ‘Inter-ethnic racisms and ethnic minority communities in Aotearoa New Zealand’.

Expressions of interest are open now and close 15 October 2021. Learn more here.

Consultation on the Disability Survey 2023

Statistics NZ is asking for submissions on what content should be included in the next disability survey in 2023. The last survey was in 2013. This consultation presents an opportunity to hear from disabled people, and more accurately reflect their views in the next survey. Submissions close 29 Oct 2021, 5pm. Click here to have your say!


You can take a lead

A more inclusive Aotearoa New Zealand needs collective leadership and action. We invite you and your community to connect with us and others working for an inclusive society via the options below: