Back: Audrey Peters, Mercedes Calderon, Leidy Monsalves, Hasmukh (Hari) Chhagan
Dr. Margriet Theron ONZM, President, South Africa
Dr Margriet Theron ONZM has been the President of the Rotorua Multicultural Council since June 2016 after serving as a member of the Committee for 15 years. She came to Rotorua in 1978. After retiring from a career in science management at the NZ Forest Research Institute and the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology and as Dean of Forestry at Waiariki Institute of Technology, she took on governance roles at the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club of Rotorua, Rotorua Social Services Council, Speech New Zealand, Geyser Community Foundation, Community Foundations of NZ and Student Pulse. She was Project Manager for the fundraising and building of the Turangi Community Health Centre, and a member of the Rotorua District Council’s BrightEconomy Advisory Board and the East Coast Bay of Plenty Conservation Board. She developed and taught a Professional Speaking for Migrants course for the Rotorua Multicultural Council. She is a member of the Rotorua Police Ethnic Advisory Board and of the Migrant Community Reference Group of the Minister of Immigration. She believes that the strength of the Rotorua Multicultural Council lies in the strong collaborative networks that it has developed with many organisations who serve Rotorua’s migrant and international student communities.
Executive Committee
Hasmukh (Hari) CHHAGAN, QSM, JP, Vice-President, Gujarati, India
Hari was born in Surat, Gujarat, India. He came to New Zealand in 1979. He is employed by the Rotorua Lakes Council. Hari is a Justice of Peace.
Hari was involved with the establishment of the Rotorua Ethnic Council in 1998 (now known as Rotorua Multicultural Council). Hari served the Council as Treasurer for nine years and three years as Vice President. He is now serving as Executive member of the Council. He has been continuously serving the Council for over twenty years.
Hari is still widely involved in many community organisations including BOP (Rotorua) Indian Association, New Zealand Indian Central Association, Public Service Association, Justice of the Peace Association, Rotorua Creative Community. BOP Indian Sports Club. He is a life member of the BOP (Rotorua) Indian Association
In 2003 Hari was awarded the Rotorua Community Award and again in 2008 He was honoured with the prestigious Queens Service Medal (QSM) for his services to many communities and organisations.
Ashley Perera, Treasurer, Sri Lanka
I am Ashley Perera, a Sri Lankan who chose NZ as my home in 1989. I am passionate about working with people and organisations contributing to community development and achieving good social outcomes. I am keen on contributing my skills and experience to those organisations that are committed to promoting social well-being in their communities.
I am a chartered management accountant by profession and have worked in commercial and not-for-profit organisations.
I moved to NZ in 1989 and have been a resident of Rotorua and Auckland. I am semi-retired and chose to reside in Rotorua as a change to my lifestyle. Since moving to Rotorua, I have gradually become involved with various charity and community organisations. Currently, I hold several charity governance positions including Grief Support Services (Tauranga) and Pakuranga Howick Budget Advisory Services (Auckland).
Emire Khan-Malak, Secretary, Te Arawa
Emire is the past elected President for Student Pulse and the Manager for Student Pulse. Emire is tanagta whenua from Rotorua and Te Puke. She has a strong passion for supporting migrants and people of various cultures. Emire has worked in various service roles including administration.
Emire involvement in the community is member of Rotorua Multicultural Council, revert Muslim now 12 years, Maori Land Trustee in three Maori Land Trusts, graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Applied Business Management. Student Pulse is a member of Tauranga Multicultural Council, joint member with Rotorua Multicultural Council, Rotorua Rotary North Club.
“I enjoy working with all cultures within the community and within the Toi Ohomai Polytechnic. I am very community orientated and love working with all people.”
Lily Joy Al Omari, Saudi Arabia and the Philippines
Lily Joy Al Omari BSN
Graduated at Toi Ohomai
Post Graduate in Health Management
From Negros Occidental, the Philippines
Worked in Saudi Arabia for 24 Years
Yolima Tabares, Colombia
My name is Yolima Tabares, and I am from Colombia. I have spent the last 15 years in New Zealand, where I have followed my dream to move, change my life, and learn English. Along the way, I have had the honour of meeting amazing people who have helped me learn and adjust to a new environment and culture. After four years in Auckland, my family and I moved to Rotorua, where I rekindled my friendship with Leidy Monsalve, who invited me to join the multicultural council committee. This organization helps immigrants like me connect with Kiwis through language and culture, and we can use our individual strengths and professions to benefit our new country. I have a strong desire to assist others, and I wish to support other migrants as they adjust and give them a sense of belonging even when they are far from home.
Audrey Peters, Fiji
Born and raised on the beautiful island of Fiji, Audrey has called Rotorua home for the past 16 years. She is the eldest of 4 children, an aunt to an 11-year-old boy and a mum to a 3-year-old girl. With 9 years’ experience in the tertiary education sector, Audrey has worked in the administration and support services area in various roles such as faculty administrator, international admissions co-ordinator and now a student services advisor. Audrey is also the Pasifika Representative on the Rotorua Multicultural Council. Outside of her community work, work obligations and family
responsibilities, Audrey enjoys reading a good book, being amongst nature or at the beach, getting physically fit at the gym, going on random road trips and catching up with friends.
Jaya Sinha, Bengali, India
I was born and raised in India and moved to New Zealand in 2013 along with my husband and two children. My background has been working in the diagnostic sector in hospitals. I have done my Master’s Degree in laboratory medicine. Since moving to Rotorua, I have been working as a Support Staff for Mathematics in a High School in Rotorua. Outside of work, I am involved with some charity organisations and a Trust member for Trade Aid, Rotorua. My other interests include painting in the traditional Indian art form, practicing Indian semiclassical dance.
Serene Leong, Malaysia
Born and raised in Malaysia and of Chinese ancestry. (Grandfather from Guangzhou, China). I moved to New Zealand in 1989 and have been a resident of Rotorua since. I worked in the tourism industry as Director of Sales, Asia for over 30 years, promoting tourism and the unique geothermal and Maori culture. This involved travelling to 11 countries in South East and North Asia.
Recently I have been employed as an Event Manager Asia for a Cultural Exchange programme.
I am also a member of the Rotorua Chinese Association, Rotorua Chinese Dance group and Executive Committee for Rotorua Multicultural. I can speak 5 languages: Mandarin, Cantonese, Bahasa Malaysia, Bahasa Indonesia and English. I am keen to learn and enjoy contributing my skills and experience within the communities to new migrants
Shashi Patel, England
Shashi Patel was born in the United Kingdom and moved to New Zealand when he was 6 years old. His roots are from Gujarat India, where both of his parents were from. Shashi is a Dental Surgeon by profession and has clinics in the Bay of Plenty and Waikato regions. He is a life member of The BOP (Rotorua) Indian Association where he was the president for a 12-year term from 2010 to 2022. He has served on this organisation as an executive committee member for 22 years in various positions. In 2024 he has been elected again as the president. He is also an executive member on the New Zealand Indian Central Association and Is the chairperson of the Youth subcommittee, where he is responsible for looking after the wellbeing of the Indian Youth throughout New Zealand. Shashi has been a member of the Age Concern Council helping with the needs of the elderly. He is a mentor for the NZ Dental Association, mentoring young dentists into the profession. He is on the Board of Trustees at John Paul College. He is a Justice of the Peace and a marriage Celebrant.
Shashi genuinely loves working with people of all ages and all walks of life.
Frank Tomas Grapl Junior, Czech Republic and Ngati Pikiao
Born and raised in Rotorua New Zealand.
Son to Maori mother of Ngati Pikiao Te Arawa, Okere Falls.
Son of Moravian Czech father of the Czech Republic.(Former Czechoslovakia).
Serving and leading the Czech and Slovak community of the Bay of plenty and Waikato region of Aotearoa New Zealand for many years.(Past, present and future).
Serving Rotorua Multicultural Council on the executive committee as the European representative.
Toured 52 countries, as well as the majority of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Performed traditional Maori cultural song and dance around the world since the age of 4 years old until 2020.
Proud and grateful to be with the Rotorua Multicultural Council.
I enjoy supporting and connecting with all cultures of the world and everyone in our multicultural communities in Rotorua and around Aotearoa New Zealand.
Farnoosh Arpanaei, Iran
Yulima Tabares, Colombia
Staff
Yumiko Kawano, Executive Officer
Yumiko was born and raised in Japan. She and her family moved to Rotorua, NZ from Japan in 1996. She has worked in the Tourism Industry and the International Education sector. Yumiko is involved in sister city relations between Rotorua and Beppu city in Japan. Committee member of community organization “Kai Rotorua” and Utuhina Badminton club.
Appointed as an Executive Officer since January 2019.
Leidy Monsalves, Administrator
Leidy was appointed as an Administrator in March 2020. Leidy is from Chile. She has a Kiwi husband and three energetic boys. She likes to spend time in the forest, running, walking, or biking. Leidy also likes cooking and photography.
In Chile she had a career in business management, running own small business. She came to New Zealand eleven years ago to study English. Then she moved from Auckland to Rotorua in 2016 with her family and now she’s got a wide circle of friends from many different cultures and backgrounds. Once her youngest son was at school, she enrolled in a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology. Completing this qualification gave her the confidence to move back into the workforce.
“As a migrant myself I comprehend some of the challenges people face when moving to a new country. We have to adjust to doing things in different ways while keeping our own traditions and customs. Rotorua is my new home; it is where I feel comfortable and safe. The sense of community here is important; I like how people connect with and support each other. We are lucky to have many organisations that we can trust and a beautiful backyard where we can relax. I am happy to have the opportunity to work for the Rotorua Multicultural Council, supporting different ethnicities and cultures. I hope to help to break down the barriers which migrants encounter, living far away from our own homes.”, says Leidy.
Valeria Liaskovskaia, Administrative Support
Born and raised in Moscow, Russia. Worked as a journalist for more than 15 years, 8 years as a TV journalist. Came to New Zealand in 2018 with her husband and a son. In 2019 was appointed as an Administrator at the Rotorua Multicultural Council. Was a coordinator of two ten-week Women’s Wellbeing programmes which have been developed by Victoria University of Wellington to help migrant women to settle in New Zealand. In 2020 moved to Auckland and stayed with the RMC as an Online Administrative Support.
Ex-Members of the Executive Committee
Kogi So
Kogi is a confident, loving and passionate woman. She born and raised in Hong Kong, she has diverse family background, as her parents are Chinese Indonesian, her husband is South Korean. She has two beautiful daughters. They moved to New Zealand since 2015. Kogi is a Real Estate Residential Marketing Specialist Salesperson. She has over 20 years working experience in Customer Service Industry. She often volunteers to help different organisations. She was a former Co-ordinator of Plunket Chinese Community Playgroup in 2018). She currently has been appointed to the Executive Committee for Multicultural Rotorua (Representative of Chinese Community). Won and Crowned as Miss Rotorua 2021, Current Main Title holder of Mrs Universe New Zealand 2022 (Represented Rotorua to compete in national pageant Mr Universe New Zealand), Awarded as Mrs Universe Generosity 2022 (Represented New Zealand to compete in international pageant, 45th MRS UNIVERSE 2022 in Bulgaria). Featured in a few NZ TV shows.
Faustinah Ndlovu
Faustinah Ndlovu ( BAppSocScie ) Bachelor of Applied Social Science.
Born and raised in Zimbabwe, Faustinah Ndlovu has worked in the New Zealand Health and Disability sector for 16 years. She is a Volunteer Co-ordinator for Achilles Rotorua and Taupo and guide for Achilles International New Zealand, a Zimbabwean Rural School Library Trust Ambassador, Tariro Project Zimbabwe founder.
Faustinah Ndlovu had led the committee and is running of Africa Day Festivals
and of the African Fashion Show and had successfully launched the Ubuntu Bay of
Plenty African Society.
Cong (Eric) Geng
Eric was born and raised in China. He came to New Zealand as an international student in 2000, and achieved New Zealand qualifications from English language study to Master degree.
Eric is a highly skilled and experienced sales and marketing professional, he has worked in various type of organisations include Global 500 and State-owned Enterprise in Airline and Tourism Industry in China and New Zealand for over 10 years. He came to Rotorua in 2018, and works as Marketing Officer at New Zealand Supreme Natural Foods & Supreme Deer Centre since then.
Eric is passionate about making contribution to local ethnic communities, promoting Rotorua and New Zealand, his competitive combination of solid educational background and practical working experience has prepared him to better support local community.
Leonardo Hernandez
Member of Executive Committee from September 2019 to early 2022. Born and educated in Laz Paz, Mexico and moved to New Zealand in 2017, eventually settling here in Rotorua during 2018. Employed as an Architectural Draughtsman. Hobbies include photography, mountain biking and playing tennis.
Alexis LewGor
Alexis was born in Fiji and is of Chinese, German and Samoan ancestry. She was instrumental in the establishment of the Rotorua Ethnic Council in the late 90s, (now Multicultural Rotorua) and stepped down after 10 years as President. She is currently the Treasurer. She is also the Immediate Past National President of Multicultural New Zealand and has been on the national executive committee for 10 years. She was also a key player in the establishment of the Rotorua Pacific Islands Development Charitable Trust where she is currently Chairperson.
She is a recipient of the Sir Peter Blake Leadership Award, Rotorua District Community Award, was named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International and was a finalist in the Westpac Business Excellence Awards for her services to community, purely as an avid volunteer.
Alexis has worked for several forestry companies and currently is employed at Fire and Emergency New Zealand, in Rotorua as Business Services Coordinator.
Alexis LewGor who had served on the Executive Committee of the Rotorua Ethnic
Council and then the Rotorua Multicultural Council since the 1990s. She had been the
President of both the Rotorua Multicultural Council and of the NZ Federation of
Multicultural Councils.
Daniel Perese
Daniel was born in New Zealand and is half Samoan and half European. He graduated John Paul College and aspires to go to university to study Communications. He was a Prefect and Pacifica Islander Captain at his school. Daniel has only been a member of RMC for 1 year but has learnt so much about the rich cultures in Rotorua and New Zealand.
Yezsa Pagtolon-an
Yezsa was born in the Philippines and moved to New Zealand almost six years ago. She was a member of the Executive Committee as the new Youth Representative of the RMC in 2020. ‘To me being surrounded by many people of different cultures is like traveling the world and befriending their locals at one spot.’