AWLA Cultural Extravaganza 2023
Auckland Women Lawyers’ Association had the privilege of hosting its first-ever Cultural Diversity fund-raising function on 9th September 2023 at the Glasshouse, Auckland. AWLA committee members in attendance were Anjeet Singh, Heena Gherra, Menka Reddy, Samridhi Gupta & Moezhelle Saulala and me.
This event brought together many diverse faces in their unique cultural attires to celebrate each other’s cultural values, communities, and heritage. This event honoured the diverse representation, both within the legal fraternity as well as the wider community.
This was not a time to armour up with qualifications, achievements, and social status. This was a special time to connect with each other through our diverse cultural identity, mana and sense of community.
Behind AWLA is a village of diverse woman pioneers. We had the privilege of hearing from Mai Chen. Mai Chen was born in Taiwan and immigrated to New Zealand when she was six and a half years old. Mai Chen later won 8 scholarships, including one to Harvard Law School. She is one of New Zealand’s most respectedconstitutional and administrative law experts, specialising in central and local government policy and legislation, regulatory issues, white collar crime and Te Titriti Te Tiriti o Waitangi issues and is an accomplished public law litigator. She also specialises in evidential issues concerning culturally and linguistically diverse litigants. At the event, Mai Chen reminded us that we each have a contribution to make to law and business which is unique to who we are and the journeys we have walked. We need to be brave enough to leave that legacy even if it isn’t popular or conventional. That is the only way to change the world. We are grateful to Mai Chen for generously taking time out of her own busy schedule to support us. Her speech was truly inspirational.
This event was organised by AWLA, with Anjeet Singh being the driving force behind it. The fund-raising Cultural Extravaganza on 9th September 2023 was an enormous success. It was one of the best legal events I have attended as it was both educational and fun. The event began with a Karakia led by Rachel and Phil Raukawa. Cultural performances included: an exciting Cook Island performance, followed by an incredible modern Middle Eastern dance performance, and concluding with a sensational Bhangra performance. There was a wonderful atmosphere of collegiality and inclusiveness. We were all taught some amazing Bhangra dance moves by our Indian dance group: Bhangra Fit. Every single person in the room was dancing to amazing Punjabi music! It was truly spectacular!
The purpose of this event was to raise funds for the AWLA scholarship fund. Together, we raised money to help change a young woman’s life for the better by contributing to her education. It was fantastic that everyone was on board with our goal of fundraising for the AWLA School Leaver’s Scholarship.
AWLA would like to express its appreciation and gratitude to Anjeet, for initiating and organising this event. We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Anjeet. On 2 May 2023, for charitable work and community service, Anjeet was honoured at the House of Lords by an NGO with a very prestigious award named the Bharat Gaurav Award. Bharat Gaurav translates to “Pride of India”. Through her projects over the past twenty years, including the AWLA Cultural Extravaganza 2023, Anjeet has made the citizens of India (the land of her ancestors), Fiji (her birthplace) and New Zealand (her home) proud.
AWLA is also grateful to our donors and sponsors for making this event a huge success. The mana of Aotearoa New Zealand’s legal profession is significantly enhanced by us celebrating its diversity. It was truly a privilege to be a part of this wonderful event.
We have received thoughtful and positive feedback from our guests. AWLA acknowledges Anjeet’s and Moe’s attention to detail and the very considerable effort they have made in making this event memorable.
Anoushka Bloem
AWLA President
Photos byJessica
Please email admin@awla.nz to request high-quality images.
Photos by Wendy
Photos sent in by guests
Stories from guests
I was born in Shenzhen and moved to Auckland with my family when I was three years old, but my heritage traces back to Sichuan, China – the ancient Shu kingdom from The
Tale of Three Kingdoms, home of the giant pandas and the birthplace of Taoism. I am lucky enough to have lived in Chengdu as a young teenager and am deeply proud to share
my Chinese heritage with everyone.
Owing to its extensive and rich history, there are a variety of clothing that may be considered traditionally Chinese. The most famous one likely being the Qipao (also known
as the cheongsam), which was popular in the 20th century. For the AWLA event, I chose to wear a mamianqun instead.
The mamianqun originated in the Song dynasty (approx. 960-1270) and reached the height of its popularity in the Ming dynasty (approx. 1368-1644). The mamianqun is
enjoying a revival in style and becoming a popular choice for ceremonious occasions (e.g. weddings, graduations and award ceremonies). It has a unique construction with
overlapping flat panels and special pleats. The mamianqun is often decorated with intricate woven patterns and gold/silver thread embroidery. The design of my mamianqun
was inspired by a traditional folk story called the Legend of the White Snake, in which a white snake falls in love with a monk that saves it from being slaughtered. The white
snake transforms itself into a beautiful woman and, on one rainy day, she finds the reincarnated monk at Xi Lake of Hangzhou and asks to share his umbrella. The
mamianqun is adorned with lotus flowers, waves, boats, clouds, lovebirds and bridges to tell this tale of love and regret, courage and sacrifice.
– Aria Zhang
I grew up wearing a McDonald Tartan kilt and hearing the poetry of Robbie Burns – “My heart’s in the highlands a-chasing the deer”.
It was my daughter Virginia’s suggestion to wear the McDonald Tartan to celebrate our Scottish cultural heritage today.
So we ordered our fine wool Tartan sashes and jewellery from Scotland especially for this celebration!
Virginia is wearing McDonald of the Isles Hunting Tartan and I am wearing McDonald of Clanranald, Lord of the Isles in honour of my grandmother, Virginia’s great-grandmother, Joanna Ross McDonald, and Joanna’s parents, my greatgrandparents Hugh and Johanna Ross McDonald (neé Duff). Our McDonald – Ross– Duff families lived in the Highlands of Scotland, specifically in the Royal Borough of
Tain, Ross and Cromarty. That’s what I grew up with through my father Hugh.
We are proud to celebrate our Scottish cultural heritage today
– Elizabeth Gresson
September Breakfast Club – Central Auckland