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.

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.

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.

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.

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!