A well-attended powhiri on Saturday for the start of Race Relations Week was followed by drumming displays yesterday morning then a musical showcase.
Dunedin Multi-Ethnic Council president Dr Lux Selvanesan said groups had come together in harmony.
"Music unites people."
Dr Selvanesan said hundreds of people attended the powhiri at Araiteuru marae.
Yesterday, the programme started with drumming performances near the peace pole at the museum reserve.
In the afternoon, groups in national costume performed musical items at the Dunedin Botanic Garden.
Dr Selvanesan said support for the line-up of events, in both attendance and participation, had grown in recent years.
A large team of executive members and volunteers had brought the programme together, he said.
This year’s events include a visit by race relations commissioner Meng Foon, who will join a forum on race relations at Araiteuru marae on Thursday evening.
Youth from different backgrounds, ethnicities and cultures will share their understanding of race unity in a function at the Otago Polytechnic from 5pm today.
The South Dunedin Street Festival will be run at King Edward St this Saturday, from 10am.
A multi-ethnic football tournament will be staged at Logan Park the next day.
Dr Selvanesan said it was important to highlight people coming together to celebrate diversity and inclusion.
March 21 has been the international day for the elimination of racial discrimination since 1966.
It falls on the date of the 1960 Sharpeville massacre in apartheid-era South Africa.
