Visit the webpage for your local language centre to find out when it opens in January. In the meantime, all the information about our courses and volunteer opportunities are on our website.
Our national office in Wellington is closed from 1pm on Tuesday 24 December and will reopen at 9am on 3 January 2024.
Our Ethnic Advisory Group (EAG) plays a vital role in shaping our programmes and services. Members of the group are appointed by the Board of Trustees and volunteer their time.
The role of the Ethnic Advisory Group is to
- Help English Language Partners stay focused on learners’ needs
- Give expert advice on issues affecting their communities
Read the terms of reference for the Ethnic Advisory Group.
Appointed July 2023
Bishnu is a social worker at Te Whatu Ora, Ōtautahi Christchurch. He specialises in mental health support for migrants and people with a refugee background.
Bishnu is originally from Nepal and arrived in New Zealand in 2006 as a refugee. His wide professional experience includes being a school principal in Nepal and working in a range of mental health roles in Christchurch supporting refugee background communities. He speaks Nepali, Hindi and English.
“I am proud to be based in Christchurch, known as the garden city, and I am honoured to be a member of the Ethnic Advisory Group in English Language Partners. I am excited about the opportunity to collaborate with all of you and contribute to our shared goals.”
Appointed August 2023
Raihana was a judge in Afghanistan before she came to New Zealand in 2021. Raihana is studying law at Auckland University so that she can practise law in New Zealand. She first connected with English Language Partners as a student and is now a member of our Ethnic Advisory Group.
Raihana is based in Auckland.
“I love New Zealand and the compassionate people of this beautiful land. It is my great pleasure to be a member of Ethnic Advisory Group.”
Appointed August 2023
Rizwaana’s background is nursing and midwifery and for the last ten years she has been working in community engagement in a range of public and private sector roles. Rizwaana is from South Africa and arrived in New Zealand over 23 years ago. She is based in the Hawkes Bay.
“I am passionate about building capability and resilience in our community for people to realise their full potential, to feel included and safe in our communities”
Appointed August 2023
Rula is the lead advisor for refugee and migrant education at the Ministry of Education. She is a Palestinian Kiwi with a background in civil engineering and business administration. She has a Ph.D. from the University of Otago's National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies | Te Ao o Rongomaraeroa. She is based in in Ōtepoti, Dunedin
“Serving on the Ethnic Advisory Committee for ELP combines two of my passions: languages and volunteering for community organisations that pave the way for social equity.”
Appointed August 2023
Shamsunnisa is originally from India and came to New Zealand in 2003. She attended classes at English Language Partners Rotorua. Shamsunnisa has run her own businesses including as a car dealer and is an active member of her Rotorua community. She is a founding member of the Rotorua Islamic Womens’ Group. She is based in Rotorua.
“I love living in Rotorua, its natural geothermal activity makes it a unique place for people in Rotorua and around the world. It's my pleasure to be a member of the Ethnic Advisory Group and I am looking forward to contributing.”
Former members of the Ethnic Advisory Group
Ngozi Penson (Nigeria); Laura V. Moreno-Duran (Colombia); Bhoj Raj Subba (Bhutan); Joanne Lee (Korea); Joanne (Aijuan) Song (China); Ku Reh Nga (Myanmar); Mohammad Hilal (Syria); Rehab Mohamed (Egypt); Batu Gondol (Ethiopia); Hana Sabie (Iraq); Kutu Mukherjee (India); Patisepa Tagata (Tokelau); Dr Abdulmonem Nasser (Iraq); Brenda Chan (China); Ahmed Yusuf Ali (Ethiopia); Guadalupe Lagrade (Philippines); Samson Sahele (Ethiopia); Ifrah Shaqlane (Somalia); Asad Abdullahi (Somalia); Mar Mar Kyi Maung (Myanmar); Jae Ahn (Korea); Alice (Yaguang) Wang (China); Oham Saaed (Iraq); Gylchachak Sadikova (Uzbekistan); Maria (Soo Ae) Park (Korea); Ruth Chinamo (Zimbabwe); Khadra Mohamed (Somalia); Ahmad Munib Nouri (Afghanistan); Nisa Rose (China); Galawezh Noori (Iran); Maureen Zaya (Iraq); Emoke Csollany (Hungary); Pamela Joseph (Malaysia); Gurbrinder Aulakh (India); Fahima Haidari (Afghanistan); Hardy Hko (Korea); Kevin Park (Korea); Maria Cristina Rodriguez (Columbia); Wendy Li (China); Lwin Lwin Tue (Myanmar); Mohammad Amiri (Afghanistan); Priscilla Seo (Korea); Amit Prasad(Fiji); Akam Faraj (Iraq); Suldery Millan Ortega (Columbia); Suzel Daglinckx (Belgium); Maria Cristina Castro Herrera (Colombia); Valentyna Sylevych (Ukraine); Rhonda Lin (China); Suming Zhang (China); Leticia Ferreira Do Nascimento (Brazil); Chuda Ghimirey (Bhutan); Grace Ryu (Korea); Ruchika Jayatilaka (Sri Lanka); Amina Mofassir (Pakistan); Viva (Wei) Shao (China); Laure Romanetti (France)
