The Christchurch Multicultural Council (CMC), which was one of the first multicultural councils to be set-up in New Zealand, celebrated its three decades of promoting and fostering multiculturalism in the Garden City last weekend.

Surinder Tandon, a Kiwi-Indian, who has been with the CMC since 2000, and its president since 2009, informed, “The 30th anniversary of CMC is a significant moment of pride for all of us. Christchurch is a multicultural city as it represents over 170 ethnicities. Migrants contribute to the society in every field – public service, business, industry hospitality, science and education. Despite the major earthquakes, the related damage to the city, and the terror attacks of March 15, a large number of migrants and international students are still coming to the city as the city treads towards full recovery. And we all need to provide mutual support to one another and work more closely than ever before. ”

CMC’s other offfice bearers include Manish Pandey and Hero Modares as vice-presidents, Irinka Britnell as secretary, and Audrey Davies as the treasurer. Tandon wife, Archna is the president of Women Multicultural Council.

Speaking on the occasion was Pancha Narayanan, President of NZ Federation of Multicultural Councils (MNZ), who noted, “Let’s remember today that CMC was one of our very first Multicultural Councils then called Ethnic Council in NZ. It is also very appropriate for us to congratulate the CMC for the role and influence it had in making Christchurch the very first Treaty-based Multicultural city in New Zealand.”

“I would like to take this opportunity to remember the forebears of Christchurch, people like Professor Kuan Goh, Dame Grace Hollander, and the Great gentleman Jim Fraser and others for their pioneering efforts. I also would like to acknowledge our life member and past president Weng Kei Chen,” he added.

Notably, the multicultural councils of Christchurch, Auckland and Wellington were set up concurrently in 1989, along with the MNZ. And three members of CMC went on to become MNZ Presidents - Prof Kuan Goh, Dame Grace Hollander, and Weng Ki Chen.

Christchurch City Councillor and chair of the Council's multicultural subcommittee, Jimmy Chen, who was also present at the anniversary function, added in a Facebook post, “Over 120 people attended the event, along with Minister Poto Williams, Christchurch Central MP Duncan Webb, and City Councillor Anne Galloway. In my remarks, I acknowledge the CMC role, under the present President Surinder Tandon’s outstanding leadership, in fostering the cultural diversity in Christchurch, and helping the Christchurch City Council establish the multicultural strategy.”

The last word belonged to Tandon, who acknowledged the contributions of former and current members and supporters, who have worked tirelessly for the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities in and around Christchurch. “Acknowledgements are also due to the current and former local MPs, mayors and councillors, and Christchurch City Council-run Inter Cultural Assembly and INFoRM group (Inter-agencies Network for Refugees and Migrants), former Refugee and Migrant Centre, Refugee Council, and the post-earthquake Inter-agencies Network, all of which have served the CALD communities to strengthen and celebrate the cultural diversity,” he concluded.

-TIN Bureau

Some achievements by CMC since 1989: (as told by Surinder Tandon, President CMC)
• Contribution to the establishment of Office of Ethnic (Affairs) Communities.
• Ongoing support to OEC and other partners.
• Contribution to the establishment of Race Relations Office.
• Contribution to the development of Christchurch Multicultural Strategy.
• Support for the annual Lincoln/Selwyn Multicultural Festival.
• Global 7s cricket tournament and now All Nations T20 Cricket Tournament with ChCh Metro Cricket Association.
• Lobbying for Hagley Multicultural Hub.
• Advocacy for settlement of migrants/refugees.
• Living in Harmony project for women
• Strengthened inter-culture and interfaith harmony. Fostered unity in diversity.
• Social and cultural well-being of ethnic people of all age groups and genders.
• Greater participation in decision-making roles/submissions at local and central government levels.
• Encouraged migrants for greater civic participation.
• Lobbying for greater ethnic representation on boards/trusts/councils etc.
• Strategic partnerships with several organisations/groups for ethnic communities.
• Significant participation in, and contribution to, CCC INFoRM and ICA groups.
• Significant support provided post-earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 and mosque attacks of 15 March 2019.
• Promoted the White Ribbon campaign for elimination of violence against women (domestic, family violence).
• Promotion of Treaty-based multiculturalism.

CMC celebrates three decades of a multicultural Chch