For over a decade, the Tairāwhiti Multicultural Council (TMC) has championed cultural diversity in the region, creating spaces where all cultures are welcomed and celebrated.
Their annual events have brought together more than 15,000 people across Tairāwhiti, with signature celebrations like the Colour Run, Festival of Lights, Multicultural Women’s Day, and the International Food Festival, recognised as some of the most popular and welcoming community gatherings on the local calendar.
TMC plays an active role in making Tairāwhiti a more inclusive region. Through strong partnerships with government agencies and local organisations, they’ve helped develop policies and programmes that reflect the needs of the region’s migrant communities. These collaborations ensure minority voices are heard and considered in regional decision-making.
Last year, TMC's work in the community was recognised nationally when president Arish Naresh and secretary Meredith Stewart received Kiwibank Local Hero medals for their contribution to advancing diversity and inclusion in Tairāwhiti.
Trust Tairāwhiti supported TMC with $35k in funding towards their annual events and the development of a dedicated multicultural hub, which opened in July 2025. The space is freely available for TMC gatherings, community meetings and events, with rent costs covered by the Trust to ensure it remains accessible.
“TMC is delighted to receive this support from Trust Tairāwhiti as we provide the hub at no cost to community groups,” says Arish.
“It offers a safe place for multicultural communities to gather and grow. We also look forward to expanding our offering of events and services throughout the year.”
