Upcoming Events

 🌟 𝗣𝗗𝗖𝗡𝗭 𝗔𝘂𝗰𝗸𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵 & 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗽 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗣𝗘𝗙 – 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀, 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀🇳🇿🤝🌏

What a wonderful afternoon of 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 at the PDCNZ Professional Networking Lunch & Meetup with the Professional Education Foundation (PEF) team in Auckland.

Held at 𝗗𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗠𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁 𝗥𝗼𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹, the event brought together professionals, business leaders, community representatives, educators, advisors and distinguished guests, continuing PDCNZ’s commitment to 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀.

🎤 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 & 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to the programme and made the afternoon such a valuable and engaging experience:

🎤 Ms. 𝗠𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗸𝗮 𝗦𝗮𝗲𝗲𝗱 – for the opening introduction and setting the tone for the programme.
🎤 Ms. Farah Alvi – for the warm welcome to our guests and attendees.
🎤 Ms. 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗮 𝗛𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗲𝗱 – for looking after the housekeeping and programme arrangements.
🇳🇿 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗭𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 – a proud moment celebrating our shared home, Aotearoa New Zealand.
🎤 𝗠𝘀 Tayyaba Khan – Chair, Advisory Board PDCNZ, for her valuable contribution and leadership.
🎤 𝗗𝗿  Ehsan Ullah  – Member, Advisory Board PDCNZ, for sharing his insights and supporting the professional networking initiative.
🎤 𝗠𝗿  Ajaz Nusrat Aziz  – VP Engagement and Employment Support, PDCNZ, for highlighting opportunities for professional engagement and employment support.
🎤 𝗠𝗿 Omair Adil – VP Mentorship and Networking, PDCNZ, for emphasising the importance of mentorship, networking and professional connections.
🎤 𝗠𝗿 𝗛𝗮𝗳𝗶𝘇 𝘂𝗹 𝗛𝗮𝗾 – Founder & Chairman, Professional Education Foundation, for sharing his vision for education, professional development and international collaboration.
🎤 𝗠𝗮𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗮 Nizam ul Haq Thanvi– President, PEF Australia, for his valuable contribution and perspectives on professional and community development.
🎤 𝗠𝗿 Mohammad Tauqir Khan  – Senior Professional and Principal Advisor, PANZ, for sharing his professional insights and experience.
🎤 𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗗𝗿 Carlos Cheung MP for Mt Roskill – MP, National Party, for joining us and sharing his perspectives with the professional community.
🎤 𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 Michael Wood – Candidate, Labour Party, for his participation and engagement with our diverse professional community.
🎤 𝗠𝗿 𝗩𝗲𝗻𝗸𝗮𝘁 𝗥𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗻 – Editor, Indian Newslink, for his continued contribution to multicultural and professional community engagement.
🎤 𝗠𝗼𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗛𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗻 𝗠𝗶𝗿𝘇𝗮– Senior BA, Suncorp, for sharing his professional experience and insights.

🤝 𝗣𝗗𝗖𝗡𝗭 × 𝗣𝗘𝗙 – 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆
The Auckland gathering was particularly significant as it followed the successful 𝗣𝗗𝗖𝗡𝗭–𝗣𝗘𝗙 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗼𝗨 𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝟵 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲.

The Auckland meetup provided an excellent opportunity to strengthen that relationship, engage with professionals in Auckland and discuss how we can collectively create pathways for 𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽, 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

🌏 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝘂𝗰𝗸𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 – 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗔𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗕𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀

The strong participation of professionals from different sectors and backgrounds demonstrated once again the importance of creating spaces where people can:

✨ Share knowledge and experience
🤝 Build meaningful professional relationships
🎓 Explore education and professional development opportunities
💼 Discuss employment and career pathways
🌱 Develop mentorship and leadership connections
🌏 Strengthen international and cross-cultural collaboration

🙏 𝗔 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗬𝗼𝘂

PDCNZ extends its sincere appreciation to all our speakers, distinguished guests, PEF representatives, Advisory Board members, volunteers, and attendees who helped make the Auckland event a success. Heartfelt appreciation to our event manager, Adnan Mirza

Your presence, participation and willingness to share your knowledge are what make the PDCNZ professional community stronger.

The formal programme may have ended, but the 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴. ☕🤝

𝗣𝗗𝗖𝗡𝗭 – 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗔𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗕𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀. 🌏

#PDCNZ #ProfessionalNetworking #ProfessionalDevelopment #ConnectingProfessionals #Auckland #NewZealand #PEF #Mentorship #EmploymentSupport #Leadership #Networking #SkillsDevelopment #Collaboration #ProfessionalGrowth #CrossBorderCollaboration #MulticulturalNewZealand #Education #careerdevelopment

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.122139548145004230&type=3 

Thank you to everyone who joined us on 3 December at Des Traditions Restaurant & Event Centre for an inspiring evening of connection, kōrero, and community building.

Our Speakers 

We were honoured to hear from:

* Dr. Waqar Qureshi – Chair & President, PDCNZ 

* Mr. Ajaz Nusrat – VP Engagement & Employment, PDCNZ 

* Hon. Michael Wood – Former MP & Former Minister for Immigration 

* Hon. Chris Carter – Chair, Henderson-Massey Local Board & Former Minister for Ethnic Communities 

* Mr. Richard Orgias – Director & Senior Consultant 

* Mr. Tauqir Khan – Senior Professional & Community Leader

Guests of Honour 

We were privileged to be joined by distinguished community leaders: 

* Omar Fahmy – Chair, Whau Ethnic Collective 

* Venkat Raman – Editor, Indian Newslink 

* Yasir Abdulrahman – Trustee, North Shore Islamic Trust 

* Zayd Abedin – President, E to the M 

* Sufian Ilyas – Secretary, E to the M

Their presence added immense value to this gathering and strengthened the kaupapa of PDCNZ.

A collective inspiration as Rumi said: “When we are inspired, we become unstoppable.” And last night, your energy, engagement, and presence proved exactly that — a community moving forward with purpose and passion.

Thanks to all guests, speakers, volunteers, and the team at Des Traditions, your support made this evening truly memorable.

Photo Highlights Below!

More photos and videos of speakers and networking are on our Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/pdcnz

 

Ngā mihi nui — thank you.

— PDCNZ Team

info@pdc.oreg.nz

 Thank you to everyone who joined us for the PDCNZ Inaugural Event. It was an inspiring evening that brought together leaders, professionals, and community supporters committed to strengthening pathways for migrant professionals across Aotearoa New Zealand.

We were honoured to host a distinguished group of guests:

Speakers:

• Dr. Waqar Qureshi,  President of PDCNZ 
• Ms. Tayyaba Khan, Chair Advisory Board, PDCNZ
• His Excellency Dr. Faisal Aziz, High Commissioner of Pakistan
• His Excellency Mr. Prasanna Gamage, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka 
• Mrs Prabha Ravi, Councillor Hutt City, representing Mayor Ken Laban 
• Mr. Winsome Lam, President, Hutt Multicultural Council 
• Mr. Mark Wheeler, District Governor, Rotary 
• Ms. Leanne Asher, Engineering New Zealand
   

Guests of Honour:

• Her Excellency Mrs. Isaura Duarte, Ambassador of Colombia
• Mr. Pablo Ciallella, Second Secretary, representing the Ambassador of Argentina
   

Other Distinguished Attendees:
Ms Glenda Barratt, Ms Afnan Al-Rubayee, Ms Lynn McKenzie, Mr Peter Berry, Mr Rahul Watson Govindan and Ayo Oyawale.

Their presence and support made this launch meaningful and memorable.

This event marks the beginning of a collective journey. Together, we will continue building stronger connections, greater opportunities, and a more inclusive future for migrant professionals in New Zealand.

We want to extend my deepest gratitude to all who have contributed to making this evening meaningful and memorable.

* To our Guest Speakers — thank you for sharing your insights, your wisdom, and your encouragement. Your presence added immense value to today’s gathering.

* To the Excellencies and Distinguished Guests — we are honoured by your attendance and humbled by your support. Your participation reflects the importance of this initiative and inspires us to aim higher.

* To all Delegates — thank you for taking the time to be here, for engaging with our vision, and for adding your voices to this important conversation.

* A heartfelt thank you to the Dowse Art Museum for hosting us in this beautiful space and for your warm support throughout the planning of this event.

* To the PDCNZ Team — your passion, hard work, and belief in this initiative have made today possible. This event is a reflection of your dedication.

* To our Event Manager — thank you for your leadership, coordination, and professionalism in bringing everything together seamlessly.

* And to the entire Event Team — your behind-the-scenes effort, attention to detail, and commitment ensured that every part of this evening ran smoothly. We truly appreciate your contributions.

Today is not just the launch of an organisation — it is the beginning of a journey powered by collective passion, shared purpose, and the belief that we can create better pathways for professionals in New Zealand.

In the words of Nelson Mandela, “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”
Tonight, we have taken the first step in making the impossible possible — by coming together as a community, by choosing collaboration over isolation, and by believing that our voices matter.

Thank you once again for being part of this milestone.

Let’s continue this journey with courage, unity, and purpose.

The best chapters are yet to be written.

Ngā mihi nui — thank you.

— PDCNZ Team

info@pdc.oreg.nz