The Rotorua Multicultural Council organised a successful full-day Networking for Employment seminar aimed at supporting migrants and international students in securing meaningful employment. The event took place on Saturday, 12 April 2025 at the Hindu Heritage Centre, Rotorua. The seminar, funded by the Ethnic Communities Innovation Fund of the Ministry of Social Development, was free to attend and attracted 66 participants from Chile, China, Colombia, France, India, Japan, Malaysia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, the USA, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe.
The event featured talks to help participants find employment that aligns with their skills and experience and to make them aware of organisations in Rotorua that provide support during their settlement.
Programme Highlights:
- Immigration and Visa Advice: Pathways to residence by a licensed immigration adviser
- Professional Development: CV writing, job interview preparation, and public speaking training
- Support from Inland Revenue: Family Boost, paid parental leave, and Family Assistance
- Volunteering and Community Involvement: Support from the Citizens Advice Bureau, Zonta and Rotary
- Health and Wellbeing: Healthy family relationships, participating in sport, Women’s Wellbeing Programme
- Networking Opportunities: Putting a face to organisations such as the Rotorua Police, Civil Defence, Family Focus, Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology, Inland Revenue, and Fire and Emergency NZ
- Career advancement in tourism and hospitality: first steps and the way up.
- Family Violence: the role of the six Ethnic Champions of the family violence prevention programme of the Rotorua Multicultural Council.
A free lunch, along with morning and afternoon tea, was generously provided by Romelyn Garde and the Philippine Club of Rotorua. The meals featured fresh, organic vegetables harvested from the Hindu Heritage Centre’s community garden — marking the first time the garden helped feed a gathering of 60 people. It was a meaningful milestone, showcasing the power of community, shared effort, and Romelyn’s catering expertise. Many migrants went home with produce, turning the event into a celebration that keeps on giving.
“As part of our community feast initiative, we proudly share produce from our garden with local groups. Feeding people with food grown by our own hands is a sacred act — it connects us to the land, each other, and the spirit of hospitality,” said Dr Guna Magesan, President of the Hindu Council of New Zealand.
Each participant received a bag in which they could take home booklets and brochures covering the huge volume of useful information covered during the presentations.
“This seminar was a unique opportunity for migrants and international students to gain valuable employment skills, network with professionals, and access essential support services,” said Dr Margriet Theron ONZM, President of the Rotorua Multicultural Council. “By bringing together experts and community leaders, we aimed to empower our migrant communities and contribute to Rotorua’s diverse and thriving workforce.”
Dr Julia Anne, Manager of the Hindu Heritage Centre, added: “We were delighted to welcome the Rotorua Multicultural Council and new immigrants to the Hindu Heritage Centre. Our Centre has long served the diverse needs of the Rotorua community, hosting organisations such as Age Concern Rotorua, yoga schools, and the Hindu Council of New Zealand. Now, with the inclusion of the Rotorua Multicultural Council, we were pleased to see the Centre evolving into a true hub for multicultural engagement.”
For further information about membership of the Rotorua Multicultural Council and about its upcoming projects, contact exec.rmc@gmail.com and follow the Multicultural Rotorua Facebook page.
