Election season contrasts political power with the ongoing marginalization of Māori, women, and migrants, noting that while recent anniversaries celebrate progress, systemic barriers like pay gaps persist. To counter these divisions, Belong Aotearoa invites everyone to their annual public hui on October 29 to focus on collective wellbeing and foster true inclusion.

While political rhetoric globally increasingly weaponizes anti-migrant fearmongering - from populist playbooks in international politics to the rise of far-right movements in Europe-inequality and systemic economic gaps are often the real culprits. However, local counterforces are fighting back. Grassroots campaigns, intercultural leadership initiatives, and community kōrero prove that connection, shared knowledge, and inclusion are far stronger than fear.

In this update, Angela Wilton explores the invisible energy spent navigating complex, overlapping identities, challenging rigid social categories and monoliths. Drawing from her own family's multicultural story and insights from the Belonging and Social Cohesion Kōrero, she highlights why institutions must embrace diversity and intersectionality so everyone can fully belong.

Following recent political rhetoric, AUT invites migrants and refugees in Aotearoa to participate in a wellbeing survey. This effort builds on the recent Belonging and Social Cohesion Kōrero hosted on Tuesday. Inspired by that event, a new fully funded intercultural leadership programme for Māori and migrant women is launching. Led by Ziena Jalil and Kaye-Maree Dunn with support from the Clare Foundation, the initiative fosters deep connections.

After a week in which misogyny and racism seemed to dominate parts of our political conversation, it was interesting to spend time at the Ministry for Ethnic Communities' roadshow here in Tāmaki Makaurau. There was a sense of change in the air as we heard from the Ministry's new Chief Executive, Pratima Namasivayam.