Welcome to the Whau Ethnic  Collective!

Whau Eid Festival on Sat 20 April 2024 from 11 to 2 pm. 

Whau Ethnic Collective, in collaboration with New Lynn Community Center, organized the Whau Eid Festival to showcase Islamic traditional cultural performances with stalls of ethnic food, crafts, and clothing. Kay Thomas, Whau Local Board Chair, opened the event with a wonderful Karakia. 

A notable performance by Adyan from Avondale Islamic Centre, singing a Palestine song of freedom, followed by a Persian percussion performance, Sepehr, Afghan poem by Sofia, and a wonderful three-person traditional Turkiye nasheed (songs) by Yusuf Gazel and his two sons followed by a demonstration of Water Marbling art, which amazed the audience. 

We also had free Henna, face painting, Cartoon Character performers taking pictures with kids and wonderful taste of all sorts of ethnic mouth-watering food. Over 500 – 700 people attended the event and were told it was an astounding success. This event will fulfill one of our strategic goals by building a strong community presence and improving engagement with our communities in the Whau.

A diverse tapestry of cultures weaves itself throughout the Whau, and the Whau Ethnic Collective serves as a meeting ground for leaders from various ethnic communities to bring them all together.
Falling  under  the  banner  of  the  Whau  Local  Board, the Whau Ethic Collective aims to be a united voice for those seeking a sense of belonging and understanding in their new homeland.  Though the group has already staged and collaborated on several ethnic events, it is yet in its infancy.  At this early stage, members Omar Fahmy and Nobia Fawad welcome newcomers to get involved. 

A native of Pakistan, Nobia works with the New Windsor Community Hub.  Sri Lankan born, Omar Fahmy, has been here 35 years and is an Avondale local; a Muslim man who attends our local Islamic Centre.  Both are eager to see new members join the group and assist others in getting a footing here.The meetings themselves speak of the diversity they celebrate with different ethnic foods brought to each meeting and with an opportunity to learn about each other’s cultures.

"When people are ignorant about different cultures,” says Omar, “it’s easy to be scared of them.  In this way, the barriers are removed.  Understanding each other’s cultures and differences makes us stronger.” The Whau Ethnic Collective is a haven for those who seek a deeper connection to their heritage and a platform to share it with their new community – a place where diversity is not merely tolerated, but embraced and celebrated.

The Collective meets on the last Monday of the month at the Fale, 50a Rosebank Road, Avondale (next to Browne St Café) from 5.30pm-7.30pm.  Please email Nobia and Omar on info@wec.org.nz if you’d like to come along.  Children welcome.  For more info visit: www.wec.org.nz.

Courtesy of MAGAZINE | Avondale Mainstreet 

Whau Ethnic Collective is collaborating with I Love Avondale and Woven Open Street Festival showcased Ethnic and Cultural dress attire in a street procession.

On Saturday 30 September 2023, at Crayford Street, Avondale, the members of WEC adorned themselves with traditional costumes to represent their Ethnic background waving flags of the countries of birth representing Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Philippines, India, China, Brazil, Zanzibar, and Fiji, parading in a cultural dress procession through the festival with a wave of colours, showcasing some of the ethnicities in the Whau. This event was a collaboration with I Love Avondale building strong cohesive communities through engagement.