Aotearoa, we all belong

27 January 2012

Do you feel you belong in New Zealand?

This question was the inspiration behind a colourful new poster about our multicultural nation.

A map of New Zealand was created featuring the words: ‘Aotearoa, we all belong', translated into 30 languages. The design includes Burmese, Hindi, Samoan, Chinese, NZ Sign and Te Reo Maori. There is also space for people to write the phrase in their own language - if it isn't on the poster.

The 2006 Census identified New Zealanders as increasingly multilingual. A reported 671,658 people are able to speak two or more languages: an increase of 19.5 % on the 2001 Census. The country's growing diversity was also signalled through the 10.4 % of people who now identify with more than one ethnic group.

The poster was developed to support International Mother Language Day (21 February) and Race Relations Day (21 March), with the Human Rights Commission and UNESCO both supporting the initiative.

English Language Partners New Zealand (ELPNZ) and the Community Languages Association of New Zealand (CLANZ) are behind the poster highlighting New Zealand's diversity.

"There are so many ethnicities in our country today; together we all make up the unique place that is our New Zealand," said Nicola Sutton, Chief Executive of ELPNZ. "The map's different written forms represent us as a nation in a creative and colourful way."

Sunita Narayan, President of CLANZ said: "It's exciting to think our country has grown so much in its diversity over recent years. We all have a place here. Today's Kiwis speak a myriad of languages and enjoy and share the variety of cultural celebrations and international cuisine."

For copies of the poster and more information contact grace.bassett@englishlanguage.org.nz