Empowering communities
from the ground up
Promoting NZ's diversity
through events & programmes
Bringing impactful community initiatives to life
Shaping the next generation
25000+ New Zealanders
impacted through our events & programmes
Established in 2008 with a vision to empower multicultural communities in New Zealand,
Communities Actions Trust NZ aims to promote NZ’s diversity through arts, community services, outreach programmes, training and educational initiatives and projects.
Build social inclusion and ensure the well being of diverse communities
Festivals & Events
Festivals, school holidays programmes & community engagement events
We organise large scale cultural festivals, outreach programmes and educational initiatives with a purpose of bringing our diverse communities together.
Projects & Programmes
Give and grow focus
We work in collaboration with community organisation, not for profits and government agencies to develop impactful projects that benefit our communities.
Networking Initiatives
Coming together to benefit the community
We promote cultural awareness and community participation through our projects and collaborations with community and government organisations, individuals and business.
Upcoming Events
Our Journey
Since 2008, CATNZ has been an integral part of New Zealand communities.
2008 onwards
Produce and manage the Southeast Asian Night Market event & the annual Diwali Festival in Wellington, in conjunction with Wellington City Council
2012 onwards
Direct and manage the Auckland Diwali Festival Street Zone activations, in conjuncation with ATEED
2015 onwards
Cultural & well-being workshops for children andadults in Auckland, in conjuction with local Auckland boards
2017 onwards
School holiday programmes in New Lynn and Onehunga
2019 onwards
Give & Grow initiatives: Collaboration with grassroots organisations, providing free meals and activities to benefit the wellbeing of communities.
Francine Tan
Programme Manager
Francine is from Singapore. With a multicultural background, she is passionate about bringing people from different ethnicities together.
Priti Garude
Communication Manager
Priti has a passion for helping the diverse communities of New Zealand grow and thrive.
COMMUNITIES ACTION TRUST NZ
Empowering Multicultural Communities since 2008
Milestones achieved since 2008
UPCOMING EVENTS
Wellington Diwali Festival of Lights 2020
UPDATE at LEVEL 1 - Updated Time (3pm to 8.30pm)
The Diwali festival will return to the TSB Arena and Shed 6. The festival is scheduled on Sunday, 25 October 2020 from
3pm – 8.30pm (please note updated time of the festival).
Highlights of the festival will include
diverse Indian vegetarian food stalls,
traditional and contemporary dance, music and fashion, arts, crafts, henna and information stalls. The event will conclude with dazzling fireworks by the waterfront at 8.30 pm.
Sharron Cole QSO
Trustee
Sharron Cole is the CEO of the Midwifery Council in Wellington. She had also served as the Director of the Catholic Education Centre in Wellington and prior to this, Sharron was the Deputy Chief Commissioner of the Families Commission. She is an active supporter of the wider ethnic communities and is also very active within the parenting sector.
Murali Kumar JP
Founding Trustee /
Operations & Events Manager
Murali Kumar currently works for the Auckland Council as a Place Manager, developing and implementing community based programmes for the wider and diverse communities in Auckland. He is also the founding Trustee, Operations & Events Manager for CATNZ.
He has worked for the Wellington City Council on numerous projects. Murali also served as a Community Relations Advisor with the Families Commission, and as a Relationship Manager with the Ministry of Social Development in Wellington. Since 2005, he has been actively involved in the events sector producing and organising numerous diversity based events for the Wellington City Council and other agencies. Murali is a justice of the Peace.
Sultan Eusoff JP
Founding Trustee
Sultan Eusoff is the Chief Executive of the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand. He is well connected with the diverse communities in New Zealand. He is also the founding trustee of CATNZ. Sultan is originally from Singapore and worked with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Singapore) for more than twenty years. Sultan is also a Justice of the Peace.
Dr George Thien
Trustee
Since joining the academia more than fifteen years ago, Dr Thien, a Senior Lecturer has taught papers in various disciplines, such as the professional Masters paper, Managing Organisations and People, and coordinated the paper, Management of Small-Medium size enterprises (SMEs), and supervised students in undergraduate and post graduate studies.. In addition to his academic teaching at the Auckland University of Technology, Dr Thien’s area of research and publication are related to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and entrepreneurship. To supplement his academic pursuit, Dr Thien is actively involved in business mentorship for SMEs (in conjunction with the Auckland Chamber of Commerce) and as an evaluator/judge for business competitions in New Zealand, as a volunteer. Dr Thien is a Past Leader/Chairperson of the Auckland South East Asian Community, a non-governmental organisation. Prior to joining the academia, Dr Thien’s business experience include the following; Branch Manager of a commercial bank, Manager of a Merchant bank, Lead Auditor of AOQC International, ISO9001 Consultant, Business Consultant/Trainer, Business Franchisor/Franchisee. Dr Thien holds a BSc (Hons) degree and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from universities in the UK, and a PhD in CSR from Auckland University of Technology, NZ. With the unique combination of academic qualifications, teaching, and practical business-related experiences, Dr Thien has much to share and contribute to the community.
© 2015