Stories of culture, community and connection. These are the top ten features from Voices.
Deportation fiasco stops environmentalist emigrating to NZ
Ron Falconer’s story is so unlikely that immigration officials didn’t take it seriously at first. Now Ron’s honesty is standing between him and a life in New Zealand.
Fiona Lundy and Ron Falconer Photo: Supplied
Jack Lum's 50 fruitful years under threat from supermarkets
Jack Lum turned 77 this year and his business - Jack Lum Fruit and Vegetables in Remuera, Auckland - turned 50.
Jack Lum in front of his first shop, Remuera, Auckland, 1970 Photo: Supplied
Covid-19 claims champion of Waikato's refugee community
Much-loved Waikato resident and prominent refugee leader Ismail Diriye Gamadid passed away in Somalia on 25 May this year.
Ismail Diriye Gamadid Photo: unknown
Growing food, growing community
"It's all about extending your love - not just to your family, but beyond - your neighbours, friends, extending your love to all living organisms." That, in a nutshell, sums up Charles Buenconsejo's attitude to life and gardening.
Charles Buenconsejo with heirloom seeds Photo: Aaron Mclean
Making a choice - a New Zealand resident's journey with euthanasia
About a year ago, Dutch New Zealander Marleen Bastiaansen helped her 99-year-old mother end her life in her rest home in the Netherlands.
Marleen Bastiaansen and her mother Jule Lucas Heinink Photo: Marleen Bastiaansen
What's it like moving from South Africa to New Zealand?
Sixteen years ago, while living in South Africa, Antoinette Wessels' husband was shot dead in a robbery. In 2008, Antoinette and her son Riaan moved to Auckland, where she is now a lecturer at Unitec.
Antoinette Wessels and her son Riaan. Photo: Supplied
Lending a hand in lockdown
During lockdown, the Red Cross actively supported 358 families - about 1300 people altogether - through their long-running volunteer programme.
A refugee family now living in New Zealand Photo: RNZ/ Red Cross
Mission Mangareva: Saving an endangered language
Being the only Mangarevan speaker in Aotearoa doesn’t seem to bother Ena Manuireva. This may be because he’s a man with a mission - to keep his language, and culture, from extinction.
Ena Manureia plays guitar. He's on a mission to save the Mangarevan language Photo: David Williams
The legacy of the Girmit
Every 14 May, New Zealand's Fiji Indian community mark 'Girmit Day'. It's an opportunity to reflect on their shared past and a celebration of their community identity.
Krish Naidu, President of the Fiji Girmit Foundation NZ Photo: Krish Naidu / Facebook
No shortcuts to success
Former Syrian refugees Mohummed and Raed Aldani run the barbershop Cultural Cuts in the Wellington suburb of Newtown.
Mohummed and Raed Aldani (R-L) Photo: Kadambari Gladding
