News & Updates
Get a deeper insight into some happenings with the Lakes Multicultural Collective.
Voices of the Pacific: A Night with ‘Vai’
This month’s International Storytellers Film Series was more than just a screening—it was a celebration. With the Pacific film Vai as our centrepiece, we honoured Tongan Independence Day and Samoan Language Week in the most heartfelt way: with powerful storytelling, shared kai, and a room full of connection.
Bringing Our Mission to Life: The Lakes Multicultural Collective Official Launch Event
On Wednesday 21 May, we gathered in the heart of Frankton at the Salvation Army to officially launch ourselves into the community as Lakes Multicultural Collective — and what a special day it was!
A Celebration of Culture and Community: Sri Lankan New Year in Arrowtown
On Sunday, 20th April 2025, the Arrowtown Community Centre came alive with colour, music, and the spirit of celebration as the Sri Lankan community gathered to mark the Sinhala and Tamil New Year.
Celebrating One Year of the Community Garden Project
On the Autumn evening of 2 April, we gathered at the Queenstown Harvest Community Gardens, marking one full year since the launch of our Community Garden Project. A small but mighty group gathered at our shared plot to celebrate this milestone—not just with food, but with heartfelt stories, shared memories, and a whole lot of gratitude.
Embracing Māori Tikanga at Queenstown's Waitangi Commemoration
Waitangi Day is more than a historical milestone for Aotearoa, New Zealand; it is a call to embrace the values of kotahitanga (unity) and manaakitanga (hospitality).
This year’s commemoration in Queenstown beautifully embodied these principles through a rich programme of cultural celebrations, organised by the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) and Kāi Tahu Papatipu Rūnaka e Whitu.
A Global Table: How We Honoured Migrants at Our Potluck Gathering
They say food brings people together, and nowhere was that more true than at our International Migrants Day Potluck & Gathering, where Queenstown’s dynamic diversity was celebrated in every bite and conversation.
Serving Sausages, Building Community: A Huge Thanks to Bunnings Queenstown
In December ‘24, the Lakes Multicultural Collective (formerly known as The Kiwi Kit Community Trust) fired up the BBQs for two incredible fundraising sausage sizzles at Bunnings Queenstown—and we couldn’t be more grateful for the support we received!
From Kai to Collaboration: A Look Back at Our First Community Leaders Hui
Our recent Community Leaders Hui brought together representatives from the Tongan, Fijian, Māori, Filipino, Malaysian, and Korean communities for an evening of connection and meaningful conversations.
Building Bridges: Empowering Local Tongan Youth with Knowledge and Support from Queenstown Police
This November, we had the privilege of hosting an informative and engaging session for the Tongan youth in our community, alongside the Queenstown Police, led by the insightful Amanda Chute.
This event was held with the goal of providing valuable information to both the young people and their families, helping them navigate the norms, rules, and rights of living in Queenstown.
Supporting Fijian Families: Immigration Insights from Citizens Advice Bureau
In response to the growing need for clear and accessible information about immigration policies, we recently partnered with the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) to host a cultural orientation session specifically tailored for Queenstown’s Fijian community.
Empowering Our Youth: A Collaborative Initiative with the Queenstown Police
In March ‘24, the Kiwi Kit Community Trust took a significant step towards supporting our migrant youth by partnering with the Queenstown Police
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