Belong Aotearoa Sector Update 26 March 2026
Kia ora e te whānau,
As a Pākehā woman brought up in a worldview that frames things in either/or terms, I recognise how dominant systems of power rely on binary thinking to separate, manage, and dominate people and ideas. In reality, the world is more complex than these rigid divisions.
Over recent weeks, people across the world and Aotearoa have been celebrating Eid al-Fitr, Nowruz, Holi, and more, with all the generosity, reflection, and meaning these occasions bring. At the same time, grief and trauma feel like they’re on the rise, both locally and globally.
Escalating tensions and violence continue, including the US-Israel conflict in the Middle East, alongside an evolving oil crisis that will hit hardest those already navigating precarity. For many, these events are deeply personal, shaping the lives of whānau here and abroad. Joy and sorrow, celebration and fear, connection and fracture, dialogue and silence can all coexist, and all of these realities are part of the world we inhabit.
These multiple realities are visible in the spaces where communities come together across Aotearoa. Some gatherings are energising, others are heated. For example, across diverse communities, I’m seeing frustration and anger being expressed at the persistence of the status quo, especially when progress and partnership are talked about, but not experienced in practice. Migrant communities’ economic contributions are celebrated while basic human rights and belonging are often sidelined. These dynamics appeared in forums such as the Ministry for Ethnic Communities 5 Years On hui, the Te Tiriti-Based Futures and Anti-Racism online conference, discussions of the Economic Contribution of Ethnic Minority Communities to Auckland (2001–2023) report, and race relations events across the motu. All of these realities can exist at once, overlapping and interacting.
At the Race Relations Day parliamentary breakfast in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, I know I will be holding many feelings at once. There is inspiring, values-driven work happening alongside worrying trends, harmful policies, and complex local and global realities. All of these realities are present at the same time, even when they are difficult to sit with. The work is, bit by bit, nudging things in new directions. Joy sits alongside frustration, concern, anger, and hope. Holding all of these feelings together without collapsing them into a simple either/or is itself an act of resistance. By refusing binary thinking, I hope it becomes possible to make decisions, take action, and support each other in ways that respond to the real, messy complexity of life, and in doing so, create meaningful change.
Mauri ora,
Angela Wilton
Chief Executive Officer, Belong Aotearoa
In Case You Missed It
Hot Desk in Tāmaki Makaurau (Belong Aotearoa)
Craving a change of scene and some human connection with people who are making a difference in Aotearoa? Belong Aotearoa’s Mount Albert hotdesks are just what you need!
For only $26/day + GST, enjoy a comfortable workspace with access to meeting rooms, a boardroom, commercial printer/scanner, and kitchen facilities.
Interested? Click here.
From Refugee to Early Childhood Educator: Hala's Safari Journey (Belong Aotearoa)
Safari is more than a playgroup, it’s a community hub and launch pad for migrant and refugee women. For Hala Abakar, a Sudanese woman evacuated to New Zealand in 2023, it became the place where her ECE skills, English confidence, and employment aspirations all came together, landing her a paid role at Safari East in Panmure.
Learn more here.
Changing the Narrative on Neurodiversity (Migrant Neuro-Inclusion Network (MINN) and ACORN Neurodiversity)
MINN and ACORN Neurodiversity recently co-hosted a webinar exploring how Aotearoa can move beyond clinical awareness toward genuine neuro-inclusion. Key themes included the value of culturally grounded concepts like takiwātanga and aroreretini, the need for clearer systems for migrant families, and the importance of language and cross-sector collaboration in driving real change.
MINN is currently recruiting volunteers and members for their Advisory Circle. If you are passionate about advancing neuro-inclusion in Aotearoa, they'd love to hear from you. You can apply here: Volunteer Recruitment and Strategic Advisory Circle Recruitment.
Visitor Visa Fee Reduction for the Pacific (Immigration NZ)
A temporary reduction in visitor visa fees for Pacific nationals will take effect from 1 June 2026 for 12 months. The total cost will be reduced to NZD $161 from NZD $216 (this includes the standard immigration levy of NZD $41).
Learn more here.
Events
Volunteering Rights and Responsibilities Online Workshop (Host International)
This workshop will explore volunteer roles, rights and opportunities while learning how to grow personally and professionally through volunteering.
When: Thursday 26 March, from 7.30pm to 8.30pm.
Where: Online.
To learn more, click here.
Big Latch On (Te Rito Ora)
The Big Latch On has been running for 20 years and aims to support parents on their infant feeding journeys, by creating safe and accepting spaces. Events are happening across the motu.
To learn more, click here.
World of Cultures - The Nepalese Experience (Nepalese Cultural Centre New Zealand Inc.)
Experience Nepalese culture, food and music in this free community event.
When: Sunday 29 March, from 11am to 3pm.
Where: Sandringham Community Centre.
To learn more, please contact presidentnccnzi@gmail.com.
FREE Puketāpapa workshop: Essential First Aid (ANCAD LiiFT Aotearoa)
This session is free to community groups, social enterprises and charities operating or based in the Puketāpapa Local Board area.
When: Wednesday 1 April, from 10.30am to 2.30pm.
Where: Wesley Community Centre.
To register, click here.
Understanding and Navigating the NZ School System (Ministry of Education)
This free workshop will help you understand and navigate the NZ school system.
When: Saturday 4 April, from 4.30pm for the children’s programme and from 5.30pm to 8pm for the adult’s programme.
Where: Sandringham Community Centre.
Boosting Latin American Business (Allyship Projects Trust)
A practical workshop series designed to support Latin American entrepreneurs in Aotearoa. Participants develop skills in marketing, financial management, and entrepreneurship, while building connections within the business community.
Language: Spanish
When: April – December | Monthly, Fridays from 6pm to 8pm.
Where: Allyship Community HUB.
Register at join@allyship.nz
Tutoring for Migrants – Bridging the Educational Gap (Allyship Projects Trust)
An academic support programme designed to help students adapt to the New Zealand education system, strengthening foundations in Maths, Science, and English, while building confidence and supporting homework.
Language: English
When: April – December | Weekly sessions
Tuesday from 4pm to 7pm
Thursday: 4pm to 7pm
Sunday (Family learning): 3pm to 5pm
Where: Allyship Community HUB.
Register at join@allyship.nz.
Media
Fears for NZ Children in 'harsh' Immigration Crackdown (RNZ)
Legal experts are warning that proposed NZ immigration law changes stripping humanitarian appeal rights from temporary visa holders could lead to the deportation of children who have grown up here.
Read more here.
What One Changing Suburb Tells us About Auckland (RNZ)
Blockhouse Bay's welcoming embrace of an Asian supermarket mirrors the suburb's joyful transformation into one of Auckland's most vibrant, diverse, and culturally rich communities.
Read more here.
‘I lost hope in humanity, but I now call myself human’: what refugees told us about settling in regional Australia (The Conversation)
A study of over 600 refugees in regional Australian towns found that the vast majority feel welcome, with many thriving, finding work, buying homes, and rediscovering their sense of humanity.
Read more here.
Christchurch mosque attacks coronial inquiry paused because of other court action (RNZ)
The coronial inquiry into the Christchurch mosque attacks has been paused while the Court of Appeal considers both victims' families' objections to the terrorist testifying, and the terrorist's own bid to overturn his convictions.
Read more here.
High-value migrants quitting NZ after 4-year tax honeymoon – industry (Newsroom)
Immigration adviser says current settings risk discouraging people from spending more time and plugging more capital into NZ.
Read more here.
Racism must be fought against, not reconciled with (Newsroom)
In this opinion piece, Rob Campbell (Chancellor at AUT) wonders why we still use the outdated and loaded term ‘race’ to label the aspect of the work of the Human Rights Commission focused on relationships between the many ethnic communities in Aotearoa.
Read more here.
Do you have news you would like to share in our fortnightly Sector Update? Simply email your update to: sectorupdates@belong.org.nz.
Ngā mihi,
Belong Aotearoa Team