A Morning of Connection with Hon. Mark Mitchell and MP Joseph Mooney
On a winter morning in August, representatives from our region’s vibrant ethnic communities gathered in Queenstown for a special meet-and-greet with Hon. Mark Mitchell, Minister for Ethnic Communities, and Hon. Joseph Mooney, MP for Southland.
Queenstown’s Pacific & Ethnic community leaders with MP Joseph Mooney & Hon. Mark Mitchell.
This gathering was made possible through the thoughtful organisation of Silvia Dancose (Welcoming Communities Coordinator at Queenstown Lakes District Council) and Marie Day (QLDC’s Community Partnerships Manager), who welcomed us with open arms — and a table full of pastries, tea, and coffee that set a welcoming tone for the morning.
Lakes Multicultural Collective was proud to attend alongside many familiar faces and dedicated leaders from across the district. Our trustee, Daniela Mercado, joined our Ops Manager Liz in representing LMC, and together we were surrounded by community leaders from:
Queenstown Association of Migrant Pinoys Inc. (QAMPI) – led by Malou Santos and team
Sri Lankan Association of Queenstown – represented by Kevin Peiris
Bangladeshi community – represented by Arafat Rahman
Malaysian, Singaporean, and Bruneian communities – represented by Eric Lim (also of the Queenstown Multicultural Festival)
Ikatan Masyarakat Indonesia di Queenstown (IMIQ) – represented by Meilita Manusama
French-speaking community – represented by Elodie and Sarah
Queenstown Fijian Charitable Trust – represented by Akariva Nawai and team
Latinos of New Zealand – represented by Carol Morgan and Marcela
Queenstown Nepalese Society Inc. – represented by Pradip Duwadi
LMC’s Dani & Liz with Hon. Mark Mitchell
After a warm welcome from Hon. Joseph Mooney, who spoke of his pride in Queenstown’s multicultural spirit, we were introduced to Hon. Mark Mitchell. Both Ministers arrived in casual winter jackets — a small detail that helped set the tone: approachable, genuine, and grounded.
The kōrero that followed was heartfelt. Each community leader shared a little about their group’s mahi, milestones, and challenges. What emerged was a deep sense of whanaungatanga — connection, trust, and shared purpose. This moment of open dialogue offered the Ministers a closer look at the grassroots efforts strengthening the fabric of our local community every day.
Minister Mitchell spoke of his commitment to ensuring all ethnic communities feel safe, valued, and welcome in Aotearoa. He acknowledged the courage it takes to start over in a new country and reinforced that building social cohesion is not just a government priority — it’s a collective effort that benefits all of us. He also reminded us that support is always available through MP Mooney’s office.
To close the gathering, Kenneth Bailey, QLDC’s General Manager of Community Services, extended his thanks — both to the Ministers for their presence, and to the community leaders for the dedication, care, and quiet persistence that often goes unseen. “I may be in the back seat,” he said, “but I see the incredible work you are doing.”
The morning left us feeling hopeful and energised. It was a powerful reminder of the strength that comes from being in the room together — listening, sharing, and continuing to build a community where everyone belongs.
