As the “Home: One City Many Cultures” exhibition has now come to a close at the Whirinaki Whare Taonga Gallery, I want to take a moment to reflect on this monumental piece and share a few photos from the exhibition. This deeply moving project brought together the personal journeys of ten families who left their homelands to make Upper Hutt, New Zealand, their new home.

The exhibition was a powerful exploration of the human experience, telling the stories of individuals and families who had made brave decisions to leave behind everything they knew. Through their words and images, we were invited into their worlds—experiencing their fears, their hopes, their challenges, and their triumphs.

Each of the families shared their unique journey: why they left their country, how they arrived in Upper Hutt, and what it was that drew them to this place. The exhibition highlighted the emotional and physical hardships of migration—the uncertainty, the longing, and the struggle to adapt to new environments—but it also celebrated the resilience, strength, and determination these families displayed in forging new lives.

A heartfelt thank you to our president, Pancha Narayanan, for his significant involvement in the exhibition. Pancha, along with his family, shared their own personal journey to New Zealand, which added an invaluable perspective to the exhibition. His contribution, both in the video and in telling his story, has helped to enrich the experience for everyone who visited the gallery.

We would also like to extend our deepest gratitude to our committee member, Margaret John, for sharing her own personal story of migration from South Sudan. Margaret’s courage and openness in sharing her journey added a powerful layer to the exhibition, reminding us of the diverse paths that lead to Upper Hutt and the strength it takes to create a new home. Her story helped to give a voice to the experience of many, making the exhibition even more meaningful for all who experienced it.

The stories captured in the exhibition reflected the full spectrum of emotions. We felt their sadness and their joy. We saw the faces of people who had made sacrifices, but also those who had found peace and community in their new surroundings. These stories reminded us that Upper Hutt is not just a place—it is a tapestry of diverse experiences and cultures that continue to enrich the city.

"Home: One City Many Cultures" was not just an exhibition; it was a celebration of the families and cultures that make Upper Hutt the multicultural community it is today. It reminded us that every corner of this city holds a story of courage, hope, and the ongoing creation of home.