Eight Year 12 students were exposed to a range of cultures and opinions during a Leadership Diversity Day at Mt Albert Unitec Campus Te Noho Kotahitanga Marae on Wednesday, 16 August. Organised by the Auckland Interfaith Council, the event hosted students from a wide range of schools who enjoyed a positive experience of Auckland’s cultural/religious diversity. Students were introduced to the wharenui, and to Maori spirituality. There were student-led presentations on different religions, and discussions about the challenges of being “neighbours versus strangers”. They also talked about whether “freedom of speech meant no boundaries” and the possible implications. Finally, they were challenged to become leaders in diversity in their schools as they entered Year 13. Students Hannah Houghton, Shehnaz Karim, Raniya Rahman, Nena-Rose Lennane, Tara Pickering, Anton Aish, Vincent Cudmore and Sam Kamu attended the event with Year 12 Dean Gordon Smith.
