Nils Macfarlane & Maturo Siaosi – A Multicultural South Canterbury

South Canterbury is more than a pin on the map. It is a collection of people, small acts of welcome and deliberate decisions to build community. In Timaru and the surrounding district, that ethos is visible in everyday life and in organisations that make inclusion practical rather than aspirational. Two people at the heart of that work are Nils Macfarlane and Maturo Siaosi, leaders at Multicultural Aoraki who bring lived experience, warmth and a knack for making connection.

To watch the highlight interview that this article is based from, click the video below:

Why people choose Timaru — and why they stay

Timaru attracts people for many reasons: affordability, proximity to both coast and mountains, a manageable pace of life and the fact that it’s large enough to offer services yet small enough that you run into neighbours on the street. Nils talks about that balance with affection. He values the anonymity a larger city provides and the intimacy of a small town rolled into one — the sea, the mountains and a 5 minute drive that is easily walkable when you want it to be.

For Maturo, who arrived on a rugby scholarship as a teenager, the decision to stay was reinforced by the sense of safety and community he wanted for his family. He remembers arriving with limited English and finding his place through sport. Scoring tries on the rugby field became a way to build friendships fast. Years later, the same town that felt unfamiliar and intimidating as a teenager is now the place he calls home, where his children grow up and where extended family have followed.

Small town, big heart

Both Nils and Maturo emphasise the everyday kindness of Timaru: neighbours who stop to say good morning, shop assistants who smile and recognise returning faces, and public services that work alongside community groups to get things done. That texture of daily life matters. For newcomers, small gestures like being greeted in a supermarket can be a simple but powerful introduction to belonging.

From personal journeys to community leadership

Their paths to leadership took different turns. Nils studied law, worked in immigration law, studied film and spent time in Japan as a language teacher. That experience abroad sharpened his appreciation for New Zealand and deepened his interest in culture and people. He returned to Timaru, established an immigration practice and then volunteered with Multicultural Aoraki for several years before taking on the role of general manager.

Maturo’s arrival through sport shaped his approach. Moving from Samoa as a teenager, he learned the Kiwi way of life while living with a New Zealand family and playing rugby. That first awkwardness — not knowing the language, feeling isolated — taught him how to help others adjust. Over time he translated those lessons into practical support for newcomers who faced the same challenges he once did.

Both stories reflect a common theme: lived experience is invaluable when the work involves helping people settle, understand systems and feel part of a place.

What Multicultural Aoraki does — practical programs that build belonging

Multicultural Aoraki is about turning goodwill into action. That means designing activities and services that remove barriers, create social connections and celebrate cultural identity. The organisation’s work falls into three broad areas:

• Settlement and practical support — immigration clinics, navigation of health and government services, and relationship-building with refugee families.
• Regular inclusion activities — weekly coffee groups, conversational English and casual social spaces where newcomers can connect without pressure.
• Public celebration and visibility — an annual multicultural festival that showcases local cultures, food and performance, and brings large numbers of people together.

The coffee group: small things that change lives

One of the simplest and most effective initiatives is the weekly coffee group. It meets every Wednesday and is designed for newcomers who might otherwise spend long hours isolated at home. The format is intentionally low-pressure: biscuits, tea and coffee, board games and conversation. English ability varies across attendees, but the group offers a safe space where language is not the gatekeeper to participation.

Maturo describes a man who used to sit quietly at the back for weeks before gradually becoming a regular who now greets people and takes part. That kind of social transition — from solitary attendance to active belonging — is the fundamental aim.

Conversational English, civic navigation and family-friendly events

Recognising that language and unfamiliar systems are big barriers, Multicultural Aoraki plans to expand its conversational English sessions and family-friendly activities. These are not classroom-driven interventions. They are practical, community-focused spaces where people can practise language through play, card games and shared tasks — all of which reduce the anxiety of meeting new people and make everyday life easier.

The Multicultural Aoraki festival: a living showcase of diversity

The festival is the organisation’s flagship public event. Held annually during Race Awareness week, it is a full-day celebration of food, performance and cultural exchange. Recent editions have attracted nearly 5,000 people, and the event hosts around 100 stallholders from across the region.

At the festival visitors encounter food stalls representing Chinese, Indian, Samoan and many other cuisines. Performers showcase traditional dress and haka, dances and music. Emergency services and local government agencies join in, creating informal opportunities for one-on-one conversations that build trust and demystify official systems. For many attendees, the event is the first time they see the breadth of cultures that make up South Canterbury.

What sets the festival apart is the mix of celebration and collaboration. It is both a joyful public gathering and a practical bridge between agencies, businesses and communities. Opportunities to connect with local council, health providers and community agencies in a friendly environment remove the intimidation often associated with formal offices and systems.

Wins that matter: relationships and visible change

Despite the challenges, the wins are significant and concrete.

• Community transformation — Twenty-five years ago Timaru had very few Pacific Island or other migrant families. Today the town reflects a far broader cultural mix. That visible change is an achievement in itself and a daily reminder of inclusive migration.
• Festival success and connection — Thousands of smiling faces at the festival, eager performers and diverse stallholders all testify to the event’s success in creating belonging and visibility.
• Strong inter-agency collaboration — Notable wins have come from working effectively with government, businesses and other community groups. One example is providing practical feedback to a corporate initiative so it better served multicultural families. Rather than saying it would not work, the company listened and modified the approach — a result of effective communication and mutual respect.
• Relationship-based settlement support — The deep, long-term work with refugee families shows the power of relationships. Even when English remains a barrier, consistent support produces real outcomes in health, schooling and social connection.

Leadership lessons from the front line

Working at the intersection of culture and community brings leadership lessons that apply beyond any single organisation. Both Nils and Maturo shared insights that are useful for anyone leading people or projects in complex community settings.

Being a leader doesn’t mean that you have to be the sole person doing everything. You rely on your team. Lean on them.

That practical advice speaks to the value of delegation and trust. Leaders need to be clear about purpose and then empower specialists to do what they do best. Holding onto control reduces impact; distributing responsibility multiplies it.

Don’t think about the past. Think about the future and you just keep going one day at a time.

This forward-looking mindset is especially important in community work, where progress can be slow and setbacks frequent. The idea is simple: take deliberate steps, stay present and focus on the next practical action that moves people closer to belonging.

How local businesses, agencies and residents can help

Communities don’t change because one organisation is busy; they change because many actors choose to work together. Here are practical ways different groups can contribute:

• Local businesses — Offer work experience, clear recruitment pathways and culturally aware onboarding. Be open to small adjustments that remove barriers for people whose qualifications or experience come from overseas.
• Health and social services — Build informal community touchpoints where residents can ask questions in a friendly setting. Attend festivals and community events as a way of meeting people outside formal settings.
• Schools and sports clubs — Create mentorships and buddy systems that help newcomers learn local norms and make friends. Sport, in particular, remains a powerful way to build immediate social capital.
• Individuals — Small acts matter. Inviting a new neighbour for a coffee, saying hello in a supermarket queue, or volunteering an hour at a community group all add up.

Why South Canterbury remains a good bet for families and newcomers

We often talk about place in terms of infrastructure, jobs and amenities, but belonging is equally important. South Canterbury offers a unique combination: access to urban services within striking distance, a sense of calm and space, and a community ready to welcome people who want to contribute.

For families thinking about a move, there are practical reasons to consider Timaru — lower living costs, good schooling options and easy access to nature. For newcomers seeking a supportive environment to learn language, navigate services and establish roots, the presence of organisations like Multicultural Aoraki makes the transition far smoother.

Parting thought

Building a multicultural community is not about replacing one identity with another. It is about creating space for different stories to be told, heard and respected. Timaru shows how that can happen: practical programs reduce isolation, public festivals make diversity visible and everyday kindness cements a sense of belonging.

We owe it to the people who arrive with hope and talent to create systems that welcome them well. That is the work of community — and it is work worth doing.

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