Our history

Multicultural Aoraki (formerly Aoraki Migrant Centre) was founded in 2004. Since then, we have been providing support, advice and advocacy to our local multicultural and newcomer communities.

We formed the Aoraki Multicultural Council in response to the South East Asian Boxing Day Tsunami in 2004. It was originally to facilitate fundraising efforts to aid those affected by the Tsunami’s devastation, however soon evolved into a much larger service.

We saw a gap in the services available to those moving here from overseas, especially those who spoke little English or came from diverse cultural backgrounds. We realized there was a need for a place to help connect people with services. So we created our Multicultural centre as a place where people could come and get advice.

Our team

The Multicultural Aoraki team are available to help with advice and guidance. 

Our team have collectively worked in social services, healthcare and justice, and have a genuine passion for helping people. Together they have many positive relationships with local agencies and connections within the community, helping to ensure people get the right support and advice on a wide range of issues.

Everyone is welcome at Multicultural Aoraki. We aim to celebrate our local community and the diverse cultural backgrounds of its members. Our goals are to help breakdown cultural barriers through the promotion of understanding, raise cultural awareness, and provide support and advice to our migrant and newcomer population.

Whether you’ve just arrived in New Zealand or have been here for 20 years we are available to help. We host events to help our communities connect, as well as information seminars and training workshops.

We can provide help with the following things:

• Linking with other community/cultural groups
• Cultural awareness workshops and training
• Connecting to community services and government agencies
• General advice

Contact us to chat or check out our regular events on the home page.

General Manager

Katy is the General Manager of Multicultural Aoraki who works alongside her awesome team to help support, connect and celebrate the South Canterbury Multicultural community.

Growing up in Porirua, Katy’s background is in social services where she worked for 16 years in project management, case management and family harm.

Administrator

 Thea is our Administrator Superstar who is usually the first friendly face you see when you pop into our office here at 27 Sophia Street.

I grew up in South Africa and moved to New Zealand in 2003.

My first job in New Zealand was a cleaning rooms at the Grosvenor Hotel.

I then moved on to Sanford for 2 years and then ACC for almost 14 years.

Events Co-ordinator

Maturo is responsible for the successful completion of our projects and events – Coffee Group, Family Fun Days and Multicultural Festival are just a few of the events organized by Turo.

Originally from Vaimoso, Turo speaks fluent Samoan so if language is a barrier, he is the man to help. He initiated the Language Supported Driver License Project with YMCA to help where language was a barrier to licenses.

Health Navigator

I am the Health Navigator working with our former refugee families who are new to Timaru. 

Originally from South Africa, we immigrated to New Zealand in 2019 with our 4 children and now proudly call New Zealand our home.   But we still love a good braai and biltong!

With close to 10 years of experience working for the South African Police Service, customer care and business management I love to combine my skills and knowledge with my passion for people.

Community Connectors

Our community connectors provide connections and direct support to people so they can access information and services in the community.

If you’re not sure who can help or where to go…then we will find out. If you need someone to walk alongside you…then we will be there.

How we provide support is driven by you - from simply printing a form to advocating on your behalf, we can do as much or as little as you would like.

Pasifika Connector

Community Connector

Community Connector