Belong Aotearoa Sector Update23 April 2026
Kia ora e te whānau,
This week, I had an op-ed published reflecting on a disconnect in Aotearoa’s mainstream media: on one screen, intensifying conflict in the Middle East; on another, rising fuel prices here and the pressure that puts on everyday life. These are often treated as separate realities, yet for many in Aotearoa, there is a critical in-between space that remains largely unseen. As a country grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi and shaped by diverse migration, many of our communities live trans-locally, calling Aotearoa home while remaining deeply connected elsewhere. For many with heritage or whānau in the Middle East, this conflict is not distant but lived, in late-night calls, fragmented updates from conflict zones, and the strain of supporting loved ones from afar, while other underreported conflicts carry no less human impact for the communities connected to them. In this context, the lines between foreign policy and domestic wellbeing are far more blurred than our public conversations tend to allow, with global events landing in very immediate and personal ways at home.
Against this backdrop, recent racist comments by Minister Shane Jones are not an isolated incident but reflect a broader pattern of rhetoric drawn from familiar populist tactics: provoking division, targeting communities, and simplifying complex realities to mobilise votes and consolidate power. This is concerning not only because of the harm it causes, but because it signals a willingness to trade social cohesion for political gain. The absence of strong, unequivocal responses from those in power, including the Prime Minister and the Minister for Ethnic Communities, raises deeper questions about what is being normalised in our political discourse and whose dignity is seen as negotiable.
At Belong Aotearoa, we aim to work collectively on how belonging and social cohesion are being shaped (and strained) in Aotearoa. Today, for example, we join broader conversations on social cohesion at this hui.
The Right Honourable Helen Clark speaking at the Social Cohesion Hui
We are working alongside academia and the sector to challenge proposed policy settings, such as the Immigration Amendment Bill in its current form. As we move into an election year, we aim to convene spaces that surface the realities of social fragmentation and challenge the scapegoating of diverse and racialised communities. Alongside this, we hold onto the importance of the mahi happening across the sector to shift narratives from division to connection, deepen understanding of these in-between spaces, and weave them more intentionally into how we approach both our domestic settings and our place in the world.
Mauri ora,
Angela Wilton
Chief Executive Officer, Belong Aotearoa
In Case You Missed It
Calling Strategic Partners: Help Shape the Future of Safari Multicultural Playgroups!
Belong Aotearoa is inviting Expressions of Interest (EOI) from experienced individuals or agencies to partner with us on the evolution of our Safari Multicultural Playgroups & Wraparound Programmes.
Proven experience in strategic planning, business case development, financial modelling and experience in the social or community sector is ideal.
EOIs are due by Friday 24 April 2026.
Interested? Click here to learn more.
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.
Job Vacancies (Amnesty International)
Amnesty International has a variety of opportunities open; apply here.
Sign Petition: Let Disabled Migrants Call Aotearoa Home (MAASHA)
MAASHA (Migrants Against the Acceptable Standard of Health Aotearoa) and their team are looking for people to sign a petition to end the discrimination that prevents migrants with disabilities and their families from getting visas. They state that too many individuals and families are living in limbo, facing financial hardship and stress while fighting to secure their right to belong in Aotearoa New Zealand.
More details here.
Events
Migrants are not Disposable Workers Forum (Union Network of Migrants NZ)
A forum to demand an immigration system that values people over profit and dignity over disposability.
When: Saturday 25 April, from 3.30pm to 7pm.
Where: Mt Eden War Memorial.
Registerhere.
Pre‑employment Rights for New Migrants and Jobseekers (Auckland Council)
Just arrived in Aotearoa or looking for work? Don’t miss this FREE and practical workshop designed to help newcomers and job seekers understand their employment rights and navigate the world of work with confidence.
When: Thursday 30 April, from 10am to 12.30pm.
Where: Epsom Library.
Register here.
Tenancy 101 & Homeownership Basics - for New Migrants (Auckland Council)
In this session, you will know your tenant rights & rental agreements, find and secure a home with confidence, avoid common rental & utility pitfalls, handle bills, disputes, and shared costs and understand the basics of buying a home.
When: Wednesday 6 May, from 10am to 1pm.
Where: Citizens Advice Bureau Office.
Register here.
Parents & Caregivers Workshops (The Asian Network Incorporated)
These free workshops are designed for parents and caregivers of children aged five to twelve and aim to support families in better understanding children’s emotions and needs, particularly during times when families may be experiencing health or wellbeing challenges.
Workshop dates and times vary. To register, please call the Asian Health Line on 0800 88 88 30.
Te Tiriti o Waitangi Workshop (Tangata Tiriti - Treaty People)
This session is tailored to those interested in helping their community learn about Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
When: Saturday 9 May, from 9am to 4.30pm.
Where: Melville Cricket Pavilion.
Register here.
Her Migrant Spirit: Launch Event (Girls In Motion)
For too long, the migrant story in New Zealand has focused on the lack. This session is here to change that. It will shine a spotlight on the extraordinary contribution and the fire that drives migrants and refugee-background communities forward.
When: Tuesday 12 May, from 5pm to 7pm.
Where: AcademyEX.
Register here.
Media
From ‘butter chicken’ comments to graffiti, anti-Indian sentiment is a warning signal (The Spinoff)
Rising anti-Indian sentiment in New Zealand, from a politician's derogatory immigration remarks to racist graffiti near an Auckland school, reflects a broader, dangerous normalisation of exclusionary rhetoric that demands a proactive rather than reactive response.
Read more here.
‘A white Man’s Fantasy’: If We Want to Rebuild Social Cohesion, We Need to Acknowledge Where it All Started to Unravel (The Guardian)
From Australia: If we want to rebuild social cohesion, we need to acknowledge where it all started to unravel.
Read more here.
In a High Stakes Environment, AI is Failing Asylum Seekers (The Interpreter)
As governments automate security processing of asylum seekers, AI mistranslation is quietly eroding rights and accountability.
Read more here.
Race Relations Commissioner Discusses Shane Jones’ Comments (RNZ)
Race Relations Commissioner Melissa Derby spoke to Guyon Espiner about senior cabinet minister Shane Jones' recent comments about Indian immigration.
Read more here.
Man Arrested After Graffiti Inciting Racial Violence Found in Papatoetoe (RNZ)
A 61-year-old man was arrested and charged after violent anti-Indian graffiti was found near a South Auckland primary school, with a second identical message also discovered in Royal Oak.
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