07 Aug 2008
In a historic first cross-cultural exchange between Asian, Maori and Pacific Island communities, the Asian Anti-Crime Group (“the AAG”) and other groups were welcomed by local iwi from Te Hapu Ngai Tupango to the Manurewa Marae on the morning of Sunday 3 August 2008 for a cross-cultural exchange, attended by over 300 people representing 30 different cultural societies.
Attendees at the forum were greeted and received warmly by eight local kaumatua, and as the rain began to ease and the sky began to clear, local iwi sang a waiata as they led the delegations onto the marae for a powhiri.
Dr Pita Sharples, Maori Party Co-Leader, told the gathering that when all peoples come to the Marae, we are one family, no matter where we come from. Dr Sharples added that the grief and pain of loss felt by one community is felt by all, hence the shared desire of all present at the forum to fight crime within the community.
Peter Low, Chairman of the AAG, stated that whilst he is not a politician and thus may not always say things the media and the public want to hear, everything he says is always with good intentions and utmost sincerity – a genuine desire for all New Zealanders to be able to enjoy a better and safer community environment.
For Asian migrants, in particular for those who speak English as a second language (or not at all), it takes much courage to step outside of their comfort zones, and to transcend the social mores of the societies they have come from, to be able to speak out against the authorities who have failed them. The recent march in Botany, however, demonstrates, on the one hand, the sheer despair and frustration felt by the Asian community, but also the resolve of the Asian community – the determination to let their voices be heard, and to fight for secure workplaces and safe neighbourhoods for their families.
Following the speeches, all participants at the forum joined together in a chorus of song and dance, with performances including a Chinese Lion Dance led by E-PACS, a Tongan Youth dance, traditional Korean and Taiwanese dances, and local iwi performing traditional Maori songs. For the final act, and in a display of friendship, understanding and solidarity, all participants joined hands in a circle, singing songs with themes of a better tomorrow.
As the forum drew to a close, the last word was saved for Peter Low: “This is only the beginning, for we will be arranging more events like this to meet other communities to discuss how to best to fight crime. This can only be done by integrating and networking with other people in the community, and by immersing ourselves in a sincere, mutual understanding of each other, in order that we can achieve the aim of a safer society and a better tomorrow.”
The ceremony concluded with a joint lunch, where more camaraderie and cultural exchanges continued. And as the forum drew to a close, participants left with smiles on their faces, cultural songs ringing in their ears – and hopes that the words of Peter Low and other community leaders take root in the hearts and minds of all New Zealanders, and that their efforts bear fruit in the community.
促进种族和谐增进文化交流的成功之旅
记Manurewa 毛利会堂文化交流活动
8月3日星期天上午, Manurewa
Finlayson Drive 上的毛利会堂前,250多各来宾安静地等侯着.一个具有历史意义的纽西兰多元种族文化交流活动将要在这里拉开帷幕. 由亚裔反犯罪团体(AAG)发起, 并在Manukau市议会,毛利Te Hapu O Ngai Tupango等8个部族以及近30多个亚裔社团支持下,纽西兰历史上第一次亚洲移民社团与本地毛利太平洋岛裔社团文化交流活动正式举行.
上午10时左右,天公作美,原本倾盘大雨的天气,此时不但雨停雾消,且还透出一线阳光.在短暂的毛利欢迎仪式后,所有嘉宾随着美妙的毛利歌声缓步进入庄严的毛利会堂. 毛利族长以毛利语致了充满动感的欢迎辞.Mr Pita Sharple 也作了发言.
他表示: 今天我们坐在这毛利的会堂,就表示我们是一家人.无论你是来自哪一个族裔,华人,韩国,印度,新加坡,汤加等等,在这里我们就是一家人.我们要进行文化交流,促进互相了解,达到彼此尊重,这就是我们今天的目的.他还表示,打击犯罪,并不是某个族裔针对另一个族裔的行动,而应是各个族裔联合起来达到这一共同目标. 本次活动的发起者,AAG负责人Mr. Peter Low在发言时也表示,我们并非政治家,也并不擅长于演讲及接受采访.我们今天的行动目的只有一个,就是要求加强社会治安,打击犯罪,还民众一个安全平静的生活环境,使移民,原住民以及所有的居民都能安居乐业.要达到这一目标,亚裔社团必须要走出自己的圈子,加強与其他族裔的沟通合作,联合起来,才能使我们的声音更加响亮!Mr. Peter Low还被毛利族长们邀请即席高歌一曲,博得了与会者的热烈掌声.随后毛利族长还介绍了Manurewa地名及Marea 的故事,使与会者对毛利的文化有更深的认识.
文化交流活动在热情洋溢的TONGA舞蹈带领下正式开始.台上的Tonga少年们的美妙的歌声以及他们的认真表演赢得了台下热烈的掌声;热闹有趣的EPAS舞狮团表,铿锵的锣鼓声叩人心弦,天真的孩子把狮子舞动得活灵活现,富有情趣,博得台下一片喝采;刚柔并济的太极功夫扇,有板有眼,一招一式,把舞蹈的柔美及功夫的刚劲结合得天衣无缝,难怪表演结束后全埸掌声雷动;欣赏了功夫扇,韩国少女轻盈的舞姿使台下观众顿觉耳目一新,她们美妙娴熟的舞蹈标示着他们来自于一个能歌善舞的民族,自然受到了台下观众的热烈赞赏;台湾山地的群舞更把会場的气氛推到高潮,与会者们更在毛利族长的要求下手拉手围成一个大圆圈,一起唱起毛利歌曲,以及中文歌曲”明天会更好”.毛利长老解释说,围成圆圈表示我们-不分种族肤色,不分政治宗教-都是一家人,而且在这个大家庭里,人人平等.
毛利长老们还对参加本次活动的社团颁发了记念证书.中山大学新西兰校友会特地准备了一些精致的小礼品回赠予本次活动的发起人Mr Peter Low和各毛利长老们,以表达该会对本次活动发起者的感谢及对毛利族长的尊重.该批礼品由中大新西兰校友会的会员企业Kiwicraft 所捐赠.其设计结合了毛利文化及艺术装饰于一体,美观精致实用,深受毛利族长们的欢迎.
活动的最后环节是丰盛的午餐.食品种类繁多,荤素齐全,与会者秩序井然,彬彬有礼,充分显示了礼仪之邦的风范.
活动在一片欢乐祥和的气氛中结束了.但正如Mr Peter Low所说,今天的活动仅仅只是开始,以后还会有更多类似的交流活动会开展,会有更多社团参与,有更多毛利部族参加,有更广泛,更深入的交流.打击犯罪并非指特定某个族群.犯罪者可来自任何团体,包括亚裔社区.任何的犯罪行为都应受到强烈谴责及不能被容忍.华人社团只有走出华人圈子,抛开成见,与其他亚裔社团及本地毛利,太平洋岛裔及欧裔社团联合起来,才有可能实现我们种族和谐,加强治安,打击犯罪的诉求,才能使纽西兰的明天会更好!
Raymond Che
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