They say food brings people together, and nowhere was that more true than at our International Migrants Day Potluck & Gathering, where Queenstown’s dynamic diversity was celebrated in every bite and conversation.
On December 18th, we gathered at the beautiful Lake Hayes Pavilion to celebrate International Migrants Day. The event was a lively celebration of the many cultures that make up our community, with well over 60 attendees coming together to share food, stories, and laughter.
This gathering was about more than just sharing delicious food—it was a chance to shift perceptions and highlight the incredible contributions of migrants to Queenstown.
Too often, the term “migrant” carries a negative connotation, but the reality is that this town has been built on the hard work, resilience, and dedication of those who have migrated here.
Through this event, we wanted to celebrate their strength, their stories, and the rich cultural fabric they bring to our community.
A Feast for the Senses
The spread of food was a celebration in itself, showcasing the incredible diversity of cultures that make up our community.
Attendees brought an array of dishes that represented their heritage and traditions, including Pad Thai, Kimchi, Fijian Kokoda, Māori Hangi, Sushi, Dumplings, Whitebait Patties, Quiche, Chilli, and so much more! Each dish told a story, reflecting the vibrant tapestry of our community and providing a delicious opportunity to connect through shared flavours and experiences.
A heartfelt thank you to those organisations & people who contributed food to the event:
Frankton Pizzeria for their generous pizza discount
Kiwi Harvest for the boxes of fresh apples
Happiness House for the 4x Litres of ice cream
Remarkables Sweet Shop for their sweets donation
Karmela Rapata for the incredible hangi platter
And to everyone who brought a dish to share—your contributions are what made the evening so special.
Community Contributions
The evening was enriched by the contributions of so many:
Matua Ned, who opened the event with a beautiful karakia, grounding us in a spirit of connection and gratitude.
The talented Solomon girls (Kaliya (Kali), Nalani (Nani) & Sheana-Huia (Sheana)), who filled the pavilion with their beautiful songs, adding a magical atmosphere to the start of the evening.
Shyla from ASB, who provided an engaging introduction to her work on financial wellbeing. If you’d like to coordinate a financial wellbeing presentation for your community, workplace, or family, please reach out to us, and we’d be happy to connect you with Shyla.
Our incredible volunteers—Una, Claire, Viviana, Tevita, Noa, Una, Faith, Tui, Cecil, and Jo—who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make the event a success.
Your efforts and contributions ensured the evening was seamless, welcoming, and joyful for everyone in attendance.
An Evening of Connection
One of the most meaningful aspects of the evening was witnessing the connections being made—new friendships blossomed, and existing relationships grew stronger. The room buzzed with conversation and laughter, reminding us all of the power of community and shared experiences.
This event wasn’t just about food or celebration; it was a reflection of the deep value we place on those who have chosen Queenstown as their home.
Migrants are an integral part of our town’s identity, and this gathering gave us the chance to thank them for their invaluable contributions to making Queenstown the vibrant and welcoming place it is today.
Gratitude to Our Funders
This event would not have been possible without the generous support of our funders:
Community Trust South
Central Lakes Trust
QLDC Welcoming Communities
Your support enables us to continue creating these spaces of belonging and celebration for our community.
We Want Your Feedback!
During the event, we handed out our Migrant Survey to gather valuable insights into the needs and experiences of our community. We're using this survey to get feedback from the whole community about life in Queenstown as a Migrant.
If you weren’t able to complete the survey at the event, we’d still love to hear from you! We'd also love to hear from those who couldn't make the event. Your feedback is crucial in helping us shape future initiatives.
Please take a moment to fill it out online by visiting: https://airtable.com/appa1xgnpquNnaHgx/pag0lhTDQXZQJhSM6/form.
Looking Ahead
The success of this gathering reflects the heart of what we strive to achieve—building a community where everyone feels welcomed, valued, and connected. Thank you to everyone who joined us and made the evening so special.
As we look to the future, we’re excited to continue creating opportunities to celebrate the beautiful diversity of Queenstown.
Stay tuned for what’s to come—we’d love for you to join us again!
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