Christchurch to host Refugee Day celebrations

8 June 2007

The Christchurch Polytechnic Atrium will be buzzing to the sound of ethnic music dance and the aroma of global cuisine as Christchurch celebrates Refugee Day on Saturday 16 June.

Run by RMS Refugee Resettlement, CPIT, and Red Cross together with people from refugee backgrounds, the celebration runs from 10.30am–2pm and features artists such as Paul Ubana Jones and Neville Barry.

This event runs in conjunction with National Refugee Day on 20 June and in the wake of the recent National Refugee Resettlement Forum in Hamilton.

At the Hamilton forum, Hon David Cunliffe outlined the lasting contribution members of refugee communities make to New Zealand.

“We want New Zealand to be a country which welcomes newcomers,  provides a safe and peaceful place to live and shares the same vision for the future direction of our country,” Mr Cunliffe says.

Christchurch City Councillor Sally Buck and RMS Refugee Resettlement manager Anne-Marie Reynolds  will be speaking at the Christchurch National Refugee Day.  

Activities and stalls will be run by local refugee and migrant communities and entrance is by a gold coin donation.

“It’s going to be a fun day so we really encourage the public to come along,” Jenni Marr, City Council’s Multi-cultural Adviser, says.

For more information on the event contact Jenni Marr on 941 8097 or phone RMS Refugee Resettlement manager Anne- Marie Reynolds on 366 0497.

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