The Waimakariri district hosts art competition in lieu of unity day

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

From local democracy reporter David Hill:

The Waimakariri district has celebrated unity in style.

Members of the local Iranian community joined forces with Global Locals of Waimakariri (Glow) and the Waimakariri District Council’s community team to organise an art competition.

Mayor Dan Gordon said the competition was ‘‘a truly wonderful collaboration’’.

‘‘Our district continues to grow and as a result we are honoured to welcome many new families from other parts of the world, as I do regularly at citizenship ceremonies.

‘‘Their arrival enriches our communities and provides us all with the opportunity to embrace new cultures.’’

Race Unity Day is marked in New Zealand on March 21, to coincide with Iranian New Year.

Members of the Iranian community came up with the idea of an art competition, inviting local school children to create a poster depicting what the theme ‘‘celebrating different cultures’’ meant to them.

It was the first time the Waimakariri District Council had been involved in events to coincide with Race Unity Day and community development facilitator Caroline Boswell said she was blown away by the response.

‘‘We had more than 120 entries which is pretty for the first year and is far more than we anticipated.’’

She says the competition was made possible with support from the Ministry for Ethnic Communities.

Gordon said he was impressed with the calibre of the entries.

‘‘I have to say I am extremely impressed with the calibre of work and the interesting way the brief has been interpreted, showcasing what celebrating different cultures means to them.

‘‘It is my hope that this will be the first of many for our district.’’

A prizegiving was held in the council chambers recently to celebrate the success of the competition.

Fernside School, near Rangiora, took home a special prize for the most entries.