Hamilton EthnicA Conference

I spent a very fruitful morning at the Hamilton EthnicA Conference!  It was a very enlightening, productive and eye-opening session.  The opening remarks by the Minister of Ethnic Affairs Hon Judith Collins, MP, was inspiring and insightful.  My takeaway from her address was that we are living in a smaller world with bigger ideas because of technology.

This was the first in a series of conferences all over New Zealand.  For me, it was not only a meeting of the minds but more so of the hearts of the different ethnicity present during the session.  It was a day of finding what was the best way possible for all to live in harmony.  It has been established already that all migrants have a common denominator---to have a better future for the next generation, their families.  And time and again the speakers and participants have reiterated a second common denominator---to leave New Zealand in a better state than when one arrived in these shores.

Its interesting to note that our Maori brothers and sisters always trace their ancestry to the waka, the ancient boats that brought the first settlers to the shores of Aotearoa, the Land of the Long White Cloud.  I too am proud to trace my path to New Zealand, the only thing though is that my waka was Thai Airways.  For the others it may have been Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Qantas, Air New Zealand and many more.

I came away from the conference blown away by the possibilities of what I can do to contribute to the well-being of my adopted country.  I am one in spirit and deed with the first Maori king when he said if we are to live in harmony, we have to find a very special place in our hearts to live in harmony.