Events
15th to 21st of March 2025
Join Unity Week NZ by attending one or all of these local events, or check out our resources page for ideas on creating your own school, workplace or community event.
Unity Hui
This event brings together speakers and panel discussions for an inspiring conversation on "Are we safer? Securing Aotearoa New Zealand's Unity and Shaping our Future". Hear from thought leaders, and leading experts, as they explore the power of unity and tackle the challenges of fostering understanding and creating spaces where everyone feels safe. Speakers will address the challenges of ensuring national security while fostering an environment where all cultures, beliefs, and identities are valued.
Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a transformative conversation.
Word on the Street
With IERA
This is an open invitation to engage in open conversations about Muslims with Muslims. This is a chance for you to ask us questions, and for us to share thoughts, and foster connections.
Our aim is to build bridges of communication and dispel misconceptions so come meet our passionate team dedicated to promoting peace, interfaith understanding, and unity through dialogue and education.
51 Threads - Stitching Stories
With Sow a Lyttel Seed
The 51 Threads exhibition commemorates the events of 15 March by narrating stories through the art of calligraphy and embroidery. A chosen word or phrase is rendered in Arabic calligraphy on a piece of fabric and then hand embroidered.
Participants who have experienced the loss of loved ones during the tragic attacks opt for this poignant form of expression to pay tribute to their memory. These heartfelt pieces will be showcased is this exhibition.
HeARTs in Unity
This exhibition showcases works of community artists from diverse cultures. Through their paintings, they express personal reflections of belonging, connection, and shared humanity.
Peace Train
With the Christchurch City Council
"Everyone jump up on the peace train!" The "little chugger" was donated by Yusuf Islam Foundation (AKA Cats Stevens) to the people of Christchurch, in recognition of the extraordinary response of support and compassion that followed the terror attacks on 15 March 2019.
Catch the Peace Train behind the kiosk near the playground and enjoy your ride along the loop pathway following the Ōtākaro-Avon River.
Free popsicle for the first 51 kids!
Walk the Talk for Unity
This is more than just a walk—it’s a statement that we honour our common bonds and stand for kindness, and connection. Join us in reaffirming that we reject hate and division. Walk with us toward a future where everyone feels they belong and empowered to advocate for each other. Bring your friends, your family, and your voice. Let’s walk as one!
The Walk starts at the Bridge of Remembrance, through the World Peace Bell in the Botanical Gardens and ends at the Multicultural Recreaton and Community Centre for Unity Share Kai and Peace Train.
Book Launch
With Dr. Maysoon Salama
We are proud to support the launch of The Heavenly Papa Giraffe during Unity Week NZ! Come meet the author, our community's very own Dr. Maysoon Salama, who will share the inspiration behind this heartwarming story that brings together the themes of love, family, and unity. Follow little baby calf as she embarks on a heart-wrenching journey to find answers after her beloved Papa giraffe goes missing. This beautifully illustrated story captures the emotional journey of losing a loved one and finding solace in the connections we share. Don't miss your chance to meet the author and connect with others in our community!
Unity Concert
Music knows no boundaries. It transcends language, culture, and borders, weaving its way into the very fabric of our existence.
This concert honours the importance of both music and culture in our lives, and sharing music and culture brings us a greater appreciation of diversity and the importance of multiplicity.
Mother's have sung lullabies to their children cradled in their arms in every culture, songs and dance have marked commemorative passages of life throughout the world, the sharing of music is universal and a tradition for the majority of us all.
On this special week to mark unity, we honour the diverse sounds and rhythms that form the tapestry of world music, connecting people across the globe in a harmonious symphony of unity here in Otautahi and Aotearoa. https://www.unityweek.co.nz/
We offer a small taste of some of the diverse groups that gather to continue their musical traditions here in Christchurch. It is an honour to have these groups so willingly share their heritage with us, so we can both appreciate and learn from their traditions, and pave the way for a better understanding with the hope of gaining a sense of unity, awareness and respect.
There will be local talent sharing their heritage with you, offering you a wide and diverse variety that reflect the collaborations we experience in our community. Following the tangata whenua tradition, the opening and closing of the concert will be Maori, creating a special atmosphere for a variety of performers offering their traditional taonga including Australian, Dutch, New Zealand, Chinese.....
A night of cross cultural reflection assured.
Members $15, Non-Members $20 and Students with ID $5
https://www.trybooking.com/nz/RDP
Doors open 7pm. Performance starts at 7.30pm
VENUE: Irish Society Hall, 29 Domain Terrace, Spreydon The hall is situated up the long driveway, directly next to Domain Park, and there is plenty of well-lit off-street parking.
PLEASE BRING CASH For: Tea, coffee, biscuits and cake available during the break and the club raffle.
Bar facilities for cold refreshments throughout the night, Eftpos available for purchases only, no cash-out facility.
Folk Club and Irish Society members please remember to bring your membership card for licensing purposes.
Non-members sign in at the bar if making purchases.
Together We Grow
Come along to the Tui Room at the Pūtangitangi Greenmeadows Centre in Stoke on Thursday 21 March at 6.00 pm for a special screening of Together We Grow in celebration of Unity Week. Doors open at 5.00 pm.
Bring your friends, whānau, neighbours and loved ones to discover the incredible community-led work happening across Tasman and Nelson.
Unity Picnic and Peace Train
Pack a picnic basket and lay out your mats on the grass, or simply bring cash and choose from a selection of finger snacks. Connect with others around you while the kids jump aboard the peace train and engage in games from various cultures. This event will also include storytelling provided by Christchurch City Libraries, crafts, and notably, the first 51 children will receive FREE popsicles!
Walk the Talk for Unity
Walk the Talk for Unity is back for 2024!
We invite you to join us in rekindling the sense of solidarity witnessed on 15 March 2019. This collective walk will symbolise our steadfast rejection of hate and division while honouring our shared bonds. Together, we envision a future where everyone is empowered to advocate for one another. The walk will begin at Victoria Square and conclude at the Botanical Gardens, where participants can join in the Unity Picnic and Peace Train event.
Unity Motorcycle Ride
Whether you're a seasoned biker or just enjoy a leisurely ride, we welcome you to join us on this symbolic journey promoting harmony and togetherness through the shared joy of riding.
The ride kicks off at Al Nur Mosque and winds through scenic routes. This is an opportunity to celebrate diversity, promote understanding, and strengthen the bonds that unite us.
Let's ride together towards a brighter, more connected community.
51 Threads
The 51 Threads exhibition commemorates the events of 15 March by narrating stories through the art of calligraphy and embroidery. A chosen word or phrase is rendered in Arabic calligraphy on a piece of fabric and then hand embroidered. Participants who have experienced the loss of loved ones during the tragic attacks opt for this poignant form of expression to pay tribute to their memory five years later. These heartfelt pieces will be showcased during Unity Week NZ in an exhibition for all to enjoy.
Word on the Street
Come meet our passionate team dedicated to promoting peace, understanding, and unity through dialogue and education. This is an open invitation to engage in conversations with Muslims and create understanding within the community. Our aim is to build bridges of communication and dispel misconceptions. It's a chance for people to ask questions, share thoughts, and foster connections.
Unity Summit
The Unity Summit is a community-led initiative that provides a platform for thought leaders, government agencies, NGOs, survivors, and community activists to come together and engage in open meaningful discussions on combating hate, inspiring positive change, promoting healing, and social cohesion. This event has a limited capacity of 200 people. To register, click here.
Unity Week - Potluck meal
In Golden Bay, Unity Week is being marked on Friday 15 March by a potluck meal at the Tākaka Community Garden.
Call in and celebrate unity in diversity and collectively build community resilience.
UniTea
On Thursday 14 March from 10.30 am at Richmond Library and then on Wednesday 20 March between 4.00 pm – 5.00 pm at Motueka Library you can be part of our UniTea.
Over a cuppa you’re invited to contribute a proverb or word message to our community garland which will be displayed in the library