Tairāwhiti Multicultural Council to paint the town red, pink, yellow and more!

There will be an explosion of colour as the Tairāwhiti Multicultural Council (TMC) host the Colour Run for Diversity on the 13th of April thanks in part to a $15,000 grant from New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT).

The Colour Run has become a significant event in the Gisborne calendar, attracting over a thousand participants each year.

The event, draws together participants from diverse backgrounds to celebrate their shared humanity while recognising and embracing their cultural uniqueness.

TMC’s President, Arish Naresh says “The Run is designed to promote a deeper sense of belonging within our community. It is an opportunity for both individuals and families, regardless of their social backgrounds and financial constraints, to participate in a fun and colourful event where acceptance of diversity is celebrated..

“The Colour Run is a fun event bringing together people of all culture religion and gender - plus you get hit with a multitude of paint!” - Jordana Sweeney, Colour Run participant.

“It was great to be part of such a fun event and seeing the whole community let their inner child emerge. I loved trying to create art on my t-shirt, while also trying to keep the powder out of my phone with an old sock! “- Dr Carol Chan, Colour Run participant.

NZCT’s GM Grants, Marketing and Communications, Ben Hodges adds “NZCT loves supporting events that bring people together – especially to be active. The event carries a powerful diversity message wrapped in its fun cloud of colour. We are grateful to Bar 59 and the Bollywood Star for their fundraising partnership with NZCT that made our grant possible.”

It’s the only free colour run event that uses organic colour powder to ensure our waterways are not contaminated in any way. As a result, its popularity has grown exponentially over the years, becoming a key fixture in promoting multiculturalism and social cohesion in our region.

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The Tairāwhiti Multicultural Council is a vibrant charity established in 2013 that works towards promoting inclusion and diversity in the Gisborne region. We’re the lead organisation in the region for migrant who are settling into the region and the go-to organisation for both government and non-government agencies when it comes to issues around migration, ethnic communities, and matters of inclusion and diversity.