Attending Race Relations Day

By invitation from Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy, Fo Guang Shan (FGS) New Zealand (NZ) Venerable Abbess Manshin, FGS Temple Supervisor Venerable Jue Xi, Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) North Island President, Lintao Yu and several other BLIA members attended the event in Wellington on 23 April. Also presenting, Her Excellency The Right Honourable Dame Patsy Reddy and her husband Sir David Gascoigne, Wellington Mayor His Worship Justin Lester, NZ Police Superintendent Wallace Haumaha, NZ Federation of Multicultural Councils Inc. President Alexis Lewgor, religious and community representatives from all over the country, totalling to 150 participants.

This year’s theme is “That’s us”. To instil a greater sense of cultural harmony, the hosts arranged multiple stage performances that day, hailing from a diverse range of cultural groups. It included Brazilian Carnival drums, rock music, Greek, Indian and Peruvian dances, Maori haka and other singing performances. They were true eye-openers, to see such rich display of multicultural shows.
Dame Patsy Reddy told the audience that we have to stand up for each other, and to be vigilant against racism, knowing to express concern when we see it. There are inspirational phrase in Maori – that “If I were to dream alone, only I would benefit; If we were to dream together, we could achieve everything”. We shall learn to celebrate diversity and differences, and learn about each other. This is very much part of the process for this learning of Race Relations Day.

Keynote speaker Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy pointed out that the last couple of months has seen New Zealanders from North to South celebrating wonderful ethnic events held by various multicultural councils. This year’s theme, actually embodies two questions - What do we stand for and what do we stand against? Dame Susan knows that New Zealanders believe we will treat people with respect and dignity. New Zealanders will stand against prejudice and intolerance.

Venerable Abbess Manshin and fellow BLIA members met with the Governor-General and Race Relations Commissioner and other important guests, with also the opportunity to share copies of the “FGS New Zealand 10th Anniversary Report” to them. The Governor-General and Race Relations Commissioner was especially impressed and grateful for the efforts of FGS NZ in their efforts towards multiculturalism and improving race relations. Superintendent Wallace Haumaha greeted Venerable Abbess, and invited the FGS and BLIA cohort to his promotion ceremony in June. NZ Human Rights Commission Strategic Advisor for Race Relations Rakesh Naidoo also warmly greeted and thanked the BLIA members for coming to the event as a show of support for human rights and cultural equality in NZ.