Not just multicultural, but multiplying
With changing demographics comes new friends, new family, and new ways to see the world. David James reports.
They say ‘the proof is in the pudding’.
However, in this case, the proof is in the festival, which, as chance would have it, also serves puddings.
But if you ever wanted to gauge the ever-changing cultural landscape of Marlborough, look no further than the Marlborough Multicultural Festival.
The annual celebration has grown tenfold in 10 years, a testament to Marlborough’s growing diversity.
The Pollard Park event is set to top 5000 visitors this year.
Marlborough Migrant Centre manager Margaret Western said it was only natural that Marlburians would want to celebrate the region’s rich diversity.
‘‘We are all migrants here to this shaky landmass at the bottom of the South Pacific,’’ Western said.
‘‘Directly or indirectly we all travelled across a body of water to end up here. I just happened to be born in Aotearoa, but my heritage is a different story, being a firstgeneration Kiwi of Scottish/Anglo descent, my father was born in Selkirk, Scotland.
‘‘So, you could say that I’m about as common as it comes, both in quantity and quality. Growing up here I’ve marinated in ‘New Zealand-ness’. Whatever that is.
‘‘And you could say that it’s getting harder to define that quality, as our world becomes far more ‘global’.’’
With changing demographics comes new friends, new family, and new ways to see the world through the cultural lens of others.
The Marlborough Multicultural Festival on March 3 is in its tenth year and has become a way to celebrate this shifting dynamic.
The colourful day at Pollard Park offers onstage performances from traditional dancing to songs, performed by new and old Marlburians hailing from different backgrounds, from Scandinavia to Easter Island.
But the food stalls are arguably the main attraction, with Swiss, Italian, Ma¯ori, Samoan, Chilean, Peruvian, Indonesian, German, Indian, Filipino, South African, Chinese and Japanese cuisine on offer this year.
Western said this year’s multicultural festival was a full house. ‘‘The first festival there were only 500 to 600 people there. And this year we are expecting over 5000. The number of food stalls are limited by location ... [but] the site is full, the programme is full and it is shaping up to be our biggest and best.’’
Western said the festival was an inevitable upshot of Marlborough becoming more ethnically rich.
But what makes Marlborough an attractive place to settle?
‘‘I think it’s a number of factors,’’ Western said. ‘‘Employment, albeit not necessarily employment that matches the skill base or qualification, but also the lifestyle. I like to think that Marlborough is an inclusive, connected community that welcomes our newcomers.’’
Western has had an interest in supporting the ethnic community through the festival since the Marlborough Migrant Centre came into being in January 2007.
‘‘It came about due to the significantly increasing demographics of Marlborough,’’ Western said. ‘‘The Ministry of Social Development put together a report about settling in Marlborough and what they found from the report was there was an urgent need for a physical entity like this to support our newcomers. And also, to support the host community, adjusting to the changes.’’
Western’s job at the migrant centre gets busier every year, and with the growing influx of migrants to the region. She said the festival was an important way for newcomers to not only stay connected with their culture, but to demonstrate a sense of pride for their cultural heritage.
‘‘It’s more than just a celebration of the ethnic food or dance, it’s a celebration of the diverse community that we have here now in Marlborough. Not just simply because it’s fun and colourful … It’s a way for people from diverse cultures to get together and mingle. Our newcomers get the opportunity to showcase their culture, and feel they have a visible and unique place here.
‘‘It gives them a since of being valued. There’s some nerves involved of what people will think of them, but also there’s a sense of pride.’’
Western said the aim of the migrant centre was to help people with their integration into the Marlborough community. And while many families wanted to retain their cultural identity, most newcomers were keen to embrace New Zealand culture. The festival was just another colourful feather to the region’s already beautiful bow. ‘‘Local Marlburians, too, can see the richness of the ethnic mix of people who call Marlborough home,’’ she said.
Opera in the Park at Saxton Cricket Oval in Nelson with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra on Saturday, February 24 from 7.30pm to 10pm. Tickets, adults $25 and children $5 ticketdirect.co.nz.
The Young Folk: With Dan Walsh a banjo folk artist from the UK. Highfield TerraVin Restaurant, tonight at 6pm. Tickets $20, 5729244. Also appearing at Punga Cove on Tuesday at 7.30pm and The Captains
Daughter, Havelock on Wednesday at 7.30pm.
Summer Concert Picton foreshore on Saturday, February 24 from 2pm with entertainment by covers band ‘Second Sunrise’ and children’s entertainer Steve Wilbury.
Country music concert at Pollard Park with with local band ’Southband’ and guest artists, Tanya Lee Smith and Tracey Ruffell. Gold coin donation to Alzheimers Marlborough appreciated.
Live Music Punga Cove on Saturday from 1pm, Email enquiries@pungacove.co.nz for more information.
Marlborough Multicultural Festival celebrates New Zealand’s National Unity Day with ethnic foods, craft stalls, music, dance performances and a parade of traditional costumes. Pollard Park, Saturday, March 3, 11am to 4pm.
Sunday Jazz, Join Heather Jamieson at Chateau Marlborough poolside and enjoy a relaxing summer afternoon catching up with family or friends at our outdoor bar. Every Sunday until the end of February.
‘‘We are all migrants here to this shaky landmass at the bottom of the South Pacific. Directly or indirectly we all travelled across a body of water to end up here.’’ Margaret Western
Lecture by Helen Rufus-Ward on the topic of Glorious Things: Discovering Byzantium through its Art. This lecture will reveal the diverse richness of the decorative arts of Byzantium. Marlborough Research Centre, Thursday at 6 15pm. For tickets contact 573 6626 or
021 162 2074.
Richard Adams ‘‘A Bigger
Splash’’ painting workshop on Saturday and Sunday, February 24 and 25 in the Waihopai Valley. Tickets $200, register by calling
021 026 78711.
Life Drawing Classes With Craig Bluett. Learn in a fun and encouraging environment. Email workshops@marlboroughartsociety.com for more information.