UNESCO New Zealand

A UNESCO Chair in Inter-religious Understanding and Relations has been established at Victoria University of Wellington.

New Zealand’s first UNESCO Chair has been awarded to Professor Paul Morris, Victoria University’s Programme Director for Religious Studies.  A key participant in the New Zealand Diversity Action Programme, Professor Morris wrote the National Statement on Religious Diversity.

“Inter-religious understanding and relations is fundamental to our  key goal which is to promote peace and justice in New Zealand and the Pacific,” says NZ National Commission for UNESCO chair, Bryan Gould.

“Our warm congratulations to Victoria University and particularly, Professor Morris.”

The "UNESCO Chair In Interreligious And Intercultural Relations – New Zealand" is an educational, research and policy activity that will be based at Victoria University’s Religious Studies department.   The launch of the UNESCO Chair took place at the 7th National Interfaith Forum, "Keeping Faith in the Modern World"  in Christchurch.  Professor Morris will be delivering an address entitled "What’s religion got to do with it? - Sustainable futures and faith".

UNESCO Chairs in Interreligious and Intercultural Relations were established in 1995 to provide in-put drawn from an understanding of religious and cultural diversity to UNESCO programs and polices; and to conduct research in this area and to engage in policy debates in their region.

In his position as UNESCO chair, Professor Morris will engage in and publish research on religious change in New Zealand and the Pacific since 1990 and the relationships between religious communities.  He will act to foster links between scholars in the region with related research interests.  Engaging with governments on the impact of religious and cultural change and the need to explore new models of social cohesion will also be a key focus.  Professor Morris will also develop and maintain a regional database of religious groups and communities including research resources.

UNESCO and

NZ Interfaith Group

UNESCO Chairs on Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue

Deborah Willis, Pro Vice Chancellor, Humanities and Social Sciences, Victoria University; Rosemary du Plessis, Chair Social Sciences Sub Commission, Paul Morris, UNESCO Chair of Interreligious Understanding and Relations.

Kiwi Holocaust Survivors focus of new DVD FOR ANNE FRANK DIARY EXHIBITION

Historical Waterworks Building wins Heritage Award

The Waterworks Building and its associated engineer’s cottage located on the grounds of the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) in Auckland has won the 2009 UNESCO Asia Pacific Award of Merit. The building was designed by William Errington in 1875 with the purpose of bringing water from the Western Springs Reservoir to Auckland. By 1928 the source of water had changed, and the building fell into disuse. It became part of the Museum in 1964. By 2000 there was a pressing need for conservation, as the roof was leaking and sectors of the cornices had collapsed, with vegetation encroaching upon the structures. There was an added intention of restoring the Scottish-made beam engine pump machinery to full working order. In its hey day the Waterworks engine pumped two million of waters a day from the Western Springs Lake to homes throughout Auckland.  It is the first time a New Zealand building has won this award.

Please visit our UNESCO Bangkok office for more information:

www.unescobkk.org/culture/our-projects/empowerment-of-the-culture-profession/asia-pacific-heritage-awards-for-culture-heritage-conservation/2009-heritage-awards/project-entries/awards-for-culture-heritage-conservation-2009/new-zealand/

World Linguapax Award for Māori Language Champion

Writer, academic and Māori language pioneer, Kāterina Te Heikōkō Mataira (Ngati Porou) has won the prestigious Linguapax Award 2009 for her lifelong work to revive the Māori language. In the seventies Ms Mataira co-developed, alongside the late Ngoingoi Pewhairangi, the Te Atārangi community based programme of Māori language learning which trained native speakers of Māori to teach their language. This philosophy underpinned the establishment of the kura kaupapa Maori movement.  Linguapax is an annual award bestowed upon leading linguists and researchers  by the Linguapax Institute based in Barcelona, Spain.  Linguapax is a non-governmental organisation set up by UNESCO and dedicated to the global preservation and promotion of linguistic diversity. This is the first time a New Zealander has been honoured with this award.

NZ Diversity Forum 2009

From 22-24th August 2009, Wellington will host the 2009 NZ Diversity Forum. The forum unites flaxroots community representatives, volunteers, central and local government officials, media, academics, health professionals, language advocates, sports people, librarians, teachers, artists, museum staff, faith groups, employers, worker and young people to talk about practical ways cultural diversity can be fostered and all New Zealanders can enjoy equal opportunities and live in harmony.  Events are hosted by organisations that are part of the NZ Diversity Action Programme, an initiative sponsored by the Human Rights Commission/Te Kahui Tika Tangata.  The main venue is Te Papa, however events are taking place at locations around Wellington city.  The NZ National Commission for UNESCO is hosting a forum on  Pacific Languages in New Zealand 2: the future of Pacific languages.  Contact person: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Migrating Kitchens Exhibition, Te Pataka Museum, Porirua

For many migrating families, traditional foods from home are a way to celebrate unique cultural identity and heritage: these are also a tasty reminder of home! The Migrating Kitchen Exhibition is on again at Te Pataka Museum in Porirua, in which people are invited to step inside the kitchens of immigrant communities who have made Aotearoa New Zealand their newest home. The first Migrating Kitchen Exhibition at Te Pataka was held in 2007 with families from Samoa, Burma, Greece, China, Russia and Somalia sharing their stories, recipes and foods. This year families from Afghanistan, Chile, the Cook Islands, India, Italy and Zimbabwe showcase their favourite foods. The NZ National Commission for UNESCO is pleased to support the Migrating Kitchens Exhibition for another year. 

http://www.migratingkitchen.org