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Life in Aotearoa
Connect, Inspire, Empower.
Asian Community Engagement Trust (ACET) is a non-profit organization with the mission of fostering a sense of belonging among Asian migrants through good interactions, assisting recent Asian migrants in making New Zealand their home, and actively engaging in and contributing to the local community.
We believe that actions bring changes. Together, DO GOOD (being close to nature, care for the environment), FEEL GOOD (caring for the community, sharing life), and LOOK GOOD (physical and mental health, sustainable lifestyle) can help create a strong and vibrant community.
DO GOOD
FEEL GOOD
LOOK GOOD
Throughout the year, ACET offers a range of activities geared at satisfying community needs and fostering connections with others who share our living spaces.
Equip job seekers with required skills and knowledge to compete in the NZ job market and gain valuable working experience through internship, and support employers to find potential full time employees who are well prepared and can fit well into their company.
Provide young people with practical and customised trainings to improve their wellbeing through developing personal interests and skills, understanding their background, strengthening their own identity, building a sense of belonging in NZ and connecting to the community. Support young people to achieve The Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award.
Cultivate environmental awareness in the community through learning how to appreciate, protect and minimise damage to our environment, and guide people how to maintain a mentally and physically healthy life.
Italy Bellini International Music Competition New Zealand Selection 2024
The Italian Bellini International Music Competion New Zealand Selection are now open for recruitment!
Since its inception in 1965, the Italian "Bellini" International Music Competition has become one of the world's top ten international music competitions, boasting a 57-year history. Renowned as a cradle for Italian opera vocal arts, winning this competition has become a coveted honor for young singers worldwide. Special awards commemorating world-renowned singers are also established: the "Maria Callas Special Award" for the famous soprano Maria Callas, the "Pavarotti Special Award" for the legendary tenor Luciano Pavarotti, and the "Joan Sutherland Special Award" for the renowned soprano Joan Sutherland.
The competition has always featured a prestigious panel of judges, including celebrated singers from various eras. This year's jury is led by Mr. Sergio Oliva, a distinguished Italian conductor, with Ms. Mary Liu, a renowned Canadian soprano, serving as vice-chair. Other notable judges include Mr. Leonardo Quadrino, an esteemed Italian conductor, Mr. William Shookhoff, a prominent Canadian conductor, Mr. Stefano Pagliani, a celebrated Italian violinist, Mr. Franz Albanese, a notable Italian conductor, and Mr. Colin Yip, a well-known Canadian tenor. Many illustrious opera singers have launched their careers after winning the Bellini International Music Competition, making it a prestigious platform for aspiring vocalists.
The Rome International Music Festival is both a competition and a music arts exchange event, jointly organized by the Italian Music Association and the International Artists Music and Dance Association (Canada). To ensure the competition's international, professional, and fair standards, the judges are acclaimed music artists from around the world, especially Italy. The New Zealand preliminaries aim to foster deep exchanges between New Zealand contestants and international musicians, discover outstanding musical talents, and provide a robust platform for them to enter the international music scene.
Vincenzo Bellini, an Italian composer, was born on November 3, 1801, in Catania, Sicily, and died on September 23, 1835, in Puteaux, near Paris. He studied at the Naples Conservatory and gained recognition with operas such as "Adelson e Salvini" and "Bianca e Fernando." His opera "Il Pirata" premiered at La Scala in Milan in 1827 to great success, followed by numerous successful performances across Italy. In 1833, he composed "I Puritani" for the Italian Opera House in Paris, which brought him international acclaim. Other significant works include "I Capuleti e i Montecchi," "La Sonnambula," "Norma," and "Beatrice di Tenda." Bellini's operas are noted for their political messages, captivating musical style,
and romantic, dreamlike atmospheres. His unique vocal melodies possess an intrinsic power that deeply moves audiences. In addition to his operas, Bellini composed six symphonies, an oboe concerto, mass songs, and numerous vocal pieces.
Two major characteristics define Bellini's works: the beautiful melodies and the challenging bel canto passages. The perfect fusion of these elements is where the charm of his operas lies. Many arias from his operas are still regarded as classic teaching materials for bel canto singing today.
Join us at the Italian Bellini International Music Competition New Zealand Selection to showcase your talent and embark on a journey toward musical excellence!
INZ Welcoming Week 2023 — Te Wiki o Manaaki
Welcoming Week is a time for thousands of voices, in communities big and small, rural and urban, to come together and celebrate the virtues of an inclusive society. It's a moment when we reaffirm our dedication to building places that embrace everyone, including migrants. At ACET, our commitment to the Asian community is unwavering, and we've organized numerous community activities to foster togetherness. We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to you for being a part of these events and supporting our mission. Your involvement makes all the difference. We extend our warmest welcome to you. Let's continue working hand in hand to create a more inclusive and welcoming world.
Date: 1 Sep to 10 Sep 2023
Date: 1 Sep to 10 Sep 2023
Welcoming Week Badminton Fun Day
Welcome to Badminton Week! At this special moment, we welcome every friend in the community. Let us celebrate the beauty of an inclusive community together, deeply experience and strengthen our understanding of New Zealand as a welcoming nation. To enhance the cohesion of the community and to ensure that everyone, especially new immigrants, can feel the warmth of home in this place, we warmly invite everyone to participate in the Welcome Week Badminton Event and enjoy happy times with community partners!
Date: 1st September 2023 Friday
Time: 1pm - 2pm
Venue: Newmarket Badminton Centre
Fee: Free
Remarks: Bring your own badminton and racket with you
Register your interest at info@acetcommunity.org.nz or contact through wechat ID: acet_2023
Date: 1st September 2023 Friday
Time: 1pm - 2pm
Venue: Newmarket Badminton Centre
Fee: Free
Remarks: Bring your own badminton and racket with you
Register your interest at info@acetcommunity.org.nz or contact through wechat ID: acet_2023
Rip Rugby
As the national sport of New Zealand, rugby is deeply engraved in the culture and is often the staple for the community, regardless of any external factors just about any local has taken part in rugby in some way through their life either as a player, referee, coach or sideline helps. It is truly one of the best ways to be immersed and learn about authentic New Zealand culture.
The Asian community, especially the Chinese community has historically not been able to take advantage of this valuable opportunity and is almost reluctant to try the sport due to assumptions such as strong physical contact and a high ratio of non-Asian players. Therefore, it is key to attempt to overcome these barriers to ensure that Asian people are equally presented within the sport.
This program mainly focuses on providing a more exclusive environment for Asian people who have little prior knowledge of the sport to have a go under the supervision of specialized coaches, with simplified rules and a non-contact version of the sport to teach the fundamentals and the spirit of the sport, increasing their fitness and confidence in this field.
Session 1:
Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm, Every Wednesday
Venue: Lovelock track, Mt Roskill
Fee: Free
Session 2:
Time: 12pm - 2pm, Every Sunday
Venue: Marist Rugby Club, Albany
Fee: Free
Register your interest at info@acetcommunity.org.nz or contact through wechat ID: acet_2023
The Asian community, especially the Chinese community has historically not been able to take advantage of this valuable opportunity and is almost reluctant to try the sport due to assumptions such as strong physical contact and a high ratio of non-Asian players. Therefore, it is key to attempt to overcome these barriers to ensure that Asian people are equally presented within the sport.
This program mainly focuses on providing a more exclusive environment for Asian people who have little prior knowledge of the sport to have a go under the supervision of specialized coaches, with simplified rules and a non-contact version of the sport to teach the fundamentals and the spirit of the sport, increasing their fitness and confidence in this field.
Session 1:
Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm, Every Wednesday
Venue: Lovelock track, Mt Roskill
Fee: Free
Session 2:
Time: 12pm - 2pm, Every Sunday
Venue: Marist Rugby Club, Albany
Fee: Free
Register your interest at info@acetcommunity.org.nz or contact through wechat ID: acet_2023
RISE Holiday Programme
A holiday programme that is run by the community, Northcote Baptist Church, in association with ACET, for primary school-aged children. We aim to provide a diverse mix of entertainment, education, and enjoyment within a safe, fun, learning environment.
General Holiday Programme Week 1 and/or Week 2
including, crafts, drama, drawing, dancing, robotics, science, basketball, hockey, badminton, and Bible story, etc. Half Days, Full (9am~3pm), or Extended Days (9am~5pm) options are available. Register for all Week 1 and/or 2 sessions or choose individual sessions.
Pinyin Holiday Programme Weeks 1 & 2
Students enroll for all 9 sessions. (ie Half Days, Full or Extended Days). Pinyin is the phonetic system of the Chinese language. It is the most widely-used system of writing Mandarin Chinese that uses the Latin alphabet. Most importantly, it's a great tool to help children learn the accurate pronunciation of Mandarin words and input Chinese characters on a computer or smartphone. Pinyin classes will be in all mornings.
Register your interest at info@acetcommunity.org.nz or contact through wechat ID: acet_2023
General Holiday Programme Week 1 and/or Week 2
including, crafts, drama, drawing, dancing, robotics, science, basketball, hockey, badminton, and Bible story, etc. Half Days, Full (9am~3pm), or Extended Days (9am~5pm) options are available. Register for all Week 1 and/or 2 sessions or choose individual sessions.
Pinyin Holiday Programme Weeks 1 & 2
Students enroll for all 9 sessions. (ie Half Days, Full or Extended Days). Pinyin is the phonetic system of the Chinese language. It is the most widely-used system of writing Mandarin Chinese that uses the Latin alphabet. Most importantly, it's a great tool to help children learn the accurate pronunciation of Mandarin words and input Chinese characters on a computer or smartphone. Pinyin classes will be in all mornings.
Register your interest at info@acetcommunity.org.nz or contact through wechat ID: acet_2023
Art in the City
Art in the City is an artistic project that aims to inspire our participants with art-related knowledge. This is a weekly basis project. Each week a gallery/exhibition/ art environment will be carefully chosen and studied by our coordinator, then convey the information further to our participants. To truly make an impact on our participants, Art in the City will be carried out in cycles, with different aspects as focus with the cycle being repeated monthly. Art tours and workshops led by professionals including watercolor, acrylic, ceramic, photography, and wood workshops will be provided regularly to our participants to appreciate the beauty of art.
Ceramic Class: First Saturday, 4pm-6pm, $65, Epsom
Photography Class: Second Saturday, $10, Subject to change
Acrylic Painting: Third Saturday, 5:45pm-8:45pm, $30, Central
Watercolor Painting: Forth Saturday, 5:45-8:45pm, $30, Central
Wood Workshop: Fifth Saturday, 11am-12:30pm, $25, Northshore
Register your interest at info@acetcommunity.org.nz or contact through wechat ID: acet_2023
Ceramic Class: First Saturday, 4pm-6pm, $65, Epsom
Photography Class: Second Saturday, $10, Subject to change
Acrylic Painting: Third Saturday, 5:45pm-8:45pm, $30, Central
Watercolor Painting: Forth Saturday, 5:45-8:45pm, $30, Central
Wood Workshop: Fifth Saturday, 11am-12:30pm, $25, Northshore
Register your interest at info@acetcommunity.org.nz or contact through wechat ID: acet_2023
Boardgame Fun Night
Boardgame Fun Night brings out endless possibilities by bringing people closer, strengthening relationships, and connecting with new like-minded people through playing board games together. Playing helps people to develop stronger senses of individuality and creativity, hence driving them to greater self-esteem and a feeling of being included and noticed. Our program is organized biweekly Friday or Saturday nights to provide the opportunity for participants to take a break from work or study and purely enjoy happiness.
Date: 23 Sep 2023
Time: 7pm - 9:30pm
Venue: Unit 23, 3 Oracle Drive, Albany
Fee: Free
Register your interest at info@acetcommunity.org.nz or contact through wechat ID: acet_2023
Date: 23 Sep 2023
Time: 7pm - 9:30pm
Venue: Unit 23, 3 Oracle Drive, Albany
Fee: Free
Register your interest at info@acetcommunity.org.nz or contact through wechat ID: acet_2023
ACET Holiday Programme
ACET has specially prepared a holiday program for children that emphasizes holistic development. We offer courses in martial arts, STEAM science, calligraphy, creative arts, karate, and Bible stories. The schedule is rich and the prices are favorable. Parents who are interested, please sign up as soon as possible, so that your children can have a fulfilling holiday
Date: 25 Sep to 30 Sep 2023 and 2 Oct to 6 Oct 2023
Venue: 67 Eban Avenue, Hillcrest
Register your interest at info@acetcommunity.org.nz or contact through wechat ID: acet_2023
Date: 25 Sep to 30 Sep 2023 and 2 Oct to 6 Oct 2023
Venue: 67 Eban Avenue, Hillcrest
Register your interest at info@acetcommunity.org.nz or contact through wechat ID: acet_2023
Kiwipedia - Living in NZ
Kiwipedia, which marshaled the Wikipedia of Kiwi (New Zealanders), came from the words Kiwi and encyclopedia. The “KiwiPedia - Living in NZ" project started in February 2023 and aims to provide useful living comprehension, cultural understanding, and fundamental life hacks for Asian migrants by delivering online workshops on biweekly weekends, with various topics from the basic necessities of life to welfare, medical, financial and more else apprehension by professional guest speakers within their field. By doing this, we wish to achieve a more harmonious society by helping people to develop life skills and knowledge about Aotearoa New Zealand for easier adaptation and integration into the country.
Date: 22 April 2023
Topic: Adapt to Change
Time: 10am - 12nn
Venue: Online (Zoom)
Fee: Free
Register your interest at info@acetcommunity.org.nz or contact through wechat ID: acet_2023
Date: 22 April 2023
Topic: Adapt to Change
Time: 10am - 12nn
Venue: Online (Zoom)
Fee: Free
Register your interest at info@acetcommunity.org.nz or contact through wechat ID: acet_2023
Badminton Group Training
Our fundamental badminton course is an excellent start for beginners who are willing to learn new skills. This is also an exciting course for all players, experienced or not, looking to level up their game with professional coaches. The training aims to consolidate the basic skills, which include taking up the standard grip, skill sets with serve, high ball, pick-ball, netball, pace, and some other techniques.
Date: Start on 25th Jul, every Tuesday
Time: 10am - 12pm
Venue: 46 Apollo Drive, Rosedale, Auckland
Fee: $40 per person per session
Register your interest at info@acetcommunity.org.nz or contact through wechat ID: acet_2023
Date: Start on 25th Jul, every Tuesday
Time: 10am - 12pm
Venue: 46 Apollo Drive, Rosedale, Auckland
Fee: $40 per person per session
Register your interest at info@acetcommunity.org.nz or contact through wechat ID: acet_2023
Communuity Basketball
Community basketball brings together a group of people passionate about sports, using basketball as a means to release the pressures of daily life. It also provides an opportunity to make new friends, offer mutual encouragement and support. This is a chance to promote social interaction and physical and mental well-being, allowing participants to enjoy the pleasure of sports in a friendly atmosphere.
Time: 7am - 9am, Every Sunday
Venue: 44 Surrey Crescent, Grey Lynn
Fee: Free
Register your interest at info@acetcommunity.org.nz or contact through wechat ID: acet_2023
Time: 7am - 9am, Every Sunday
Venue: 44 Surrey Crescent, Grey Lynn
Fee: Free
Register your interest at info@acetcommunity.org.nz or contact through wechat ID: acet_2023
Zumba Class
The well-known coaches from the Auckland Zumba Association are leading everyone in a fitness workout! It's open to all genders and ages. Zumba is a very fun and easy-to-start exercise that helps sculpt your body, improve cardiovascular health, and burn calories without even realizing it! It's also a great way to release stress. Don't hesitate any longer, let's dance our way to youthfulness together!
Date: 18th August till - 20th October 2023 Every Friday
Time: 1pm - 2pm
Venue: 20 Ponsonby Terrace
Fee: $50/Class. $90/Class for 2 people
Register your interest at info@acetcommunity.org.nz or contact through wechat ID: acet_2023
Date: 18th August till - 20th October 2023 Every Friday
Time: 1pm - 2pm
Venue: 20 Ponsonby Terrace
Fee: $50/Class. $90/Class for 2 people
Register your interest at info@acetcommunity.org.nz or contact through wechat ID: acet_2023
Employment Support Programme
Interview Skill Workshop: This session is designed to give the candidate a greater understanding of the format and content of potential interviews
- Help candidates feel more confident and prepared for upcoming interviews
- Provide some guidance on how to do yourself justice
- Provide an opportunity to practice
CV Support:
1.5-hour workshops focused on building confidence, developing CVs and cover letters as well as interview preparation to support candidates’ application
Register your interest at application@nedf.org.nz or contact through wechat ID: nedf_2021
- Help candidates feel more confident and prepared for upcoming interviews
- Provide some guidance on how to do yourself justice
- Provide an opportunity to practice
CV Support:
1.5-hour workshops focused on building confidence, developing CVs and cover letters as well as interview preparation to support candidates’ application
Register your interest at application@nedf.org.nz or contact through wechat ID: nedf_2021
Career Choice
Career choice aims to offer unique resources and events to empower young people to make great career choices.
Register your interest at application@nedf.org.nz
Register your interest at application@nedf.org.nz
INZ Welcoming Week 2023 — Te Wiki o Manaaki
Welcoming Week is a time for thousands of voices, in communities big and small, rural and urban, to come together and celebrate the virtues of an inclusive society. It's a moment when we reaffirm our dedication to building places that embrace everyone, including migrants. At ACET, our commitment to the Asian community is unwavering, and we've organized numerous community activities to foster togetherness. We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to you for being a part of these events and supporting our mission. Your involvement makes all the difference. We extend our warmest welcome to you. Let's continue working hand in hand to create a more inclusive and welcoming world.
Date: 1 Sep to 10 Sep 2023
Date: 1 Sep to 10 Sep 2023
Change of Organization Name
Dear valued members and supporters,
We are excited to announce that Natural Environment Defence Foundation (NEDF) has changed its name to Asian Community Engagement Trust (ACET). This new name reflects our continued commitment to serving the community in a more inclusive and comprehensive manner.
At ACET, we are still with the mission of fostering a sense of belonging among Asian migrants through good interactions, assisting recent Asian migrants in making New Zealand their home, and actively engaging in and contributing to the local community.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@acetcommunity.org.nz.
We appreciate your ongoing support and look forward to working with you under our new name.
Sincerely,
The Asian Community Engagement Trust (formerly NEDF)
We are excited to announce that Natural Environment Defence Foundation (NEDF) has changed its name to Asian Community Engagement Trust (ACET). This new name reflects our continued commitment to serving the community in a more inclusive and comprehensive manner.
At ACET, we are still with the mission of fostering a sense of belonging among Asian migrants through good interactions, assisting recent Asian migrants in making New Zealand their home, and actively engaging in and contributing to the local community.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@acetcommunity.org.nz.
We appreciate your ongoing support and look forward to working with you under our new name.
Sincerely,
The Asian Community Engagement Trust (formerly NEDF)
Employment Support Programme Questionnaire Lucky Draw Winners Announcement
Congratulation to the 4 winners of the Employment Support Programme Questionnaire Lucky Draw! Thank you to all participants for your valuable feedback. We really appreciate your time in completing this questionnaire. We value the information you have provided us. Your responses will contribute to shape the Employment Support Programme to better meet your needs. The Employment Support Programme aims to equip the job seekers in NZ with required skills and knowledge to compete in the NZ job market and gain valuable working experience through internship. If you are interested in joining this programme, please register now at application@nedf.org.nz
Te Hōnonga a Iwi The Rosedale Park Restoration Project
Te Hōnonga a Iwi is a collaboration between the North Harbour Hockey Association (NHHA) and the Natural Environment Defence Foundation (NEDF), along with leaders and ecological experts from the Māori community, public, education, arts, sport, and business sectors, to undertake the ecological restoration of Rosedale Park.
This ground-breaking five year community-led project aims to restore a 4000m2 area within Rosedale Park using bio-organic principles to revitalise the land and the adjacent Alexander Stream, making the park a place where biodiversity can increase and local people can go to connect with nature.
The Rosedale Park Restoration Project aims to
• increase the wellbeing of the people who contribute to the Project
• increase the social use of Rosedale Park
• increase the ecological value of the land and stream associated with the Project
• promote increased financial resilience of local business contributors through creating a purpose-led, integrated, sustainable urban restoration of a 4,000m2 site within the Rosedale Park using bio-organic land care principles.
This ground-breaking five year community-led project aims to restore a 4000m2 area within Rosedale Park using bio-organic principles to revitalise the land and the adjacent Alexander Stream, making the park a place where biodiversity can increase and local people can go to connect with nature.
The Rosedale Park Restoration Project aims to
• increase the wellbeing of the people who contribute to the Project
• increase the social use of Rosedale Park
• increase the ecological value of the land and stream associated with the Project
• promote increased financial resilience of local business contributors through creating a purpose-led, integrated, sustainable urban restoration of a 4,000m2 site within the Rosedale Park using bio-organic land care principles.
Mi-LOHAS Fashion Show 2021
The "Mi-LOHAS Fashion Show 2021" was held on March 24, 2021, with the objective of promoting sustainable fashion and introducing greener alternatives on the runway.
Mi-LOHAS is an acronym for "caring for oneself, caring for others, and finding a way to live a sustainable life for oneself." Under the influence of the Covid-19 epidemic, there was a stronger need to express love and care, not just to people, but also to the earth.
Mi-LOHAS is an acronym for "caring for oneself, caring for others, and finding a way to live a sustainable life for oneself." Under the influence of the Covid-19 epidemic, there was a stronger need to express love and care, not just to people, but also to the earth.
Plant Your Own Food Workshop
After 6 workshops, you will be confident knowing and planting your own food, even you don't have a garden.
Tree Planting Event
Wanna a fresh air good for your lung but also good for the earth? Planting trees with us is a good way.
Partnership
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