It is with sincere regret we advise you that this will be our last Insights newsletter. This time next week, the majority of us will be on our way back to where we came from.

That is of course if we take Ron Mark’s comment seriously. Last week the New Zealand First MP told his parliamentary colleague, Melissa Lee, that she should go back to Korea if she did not like New Zealand's ways. This was in response to Lee’s reminiscence over Korea’s less restricted trading hours that she seemed to suggest New Zealand too could consider.

After all, with the exception of refugees whose migration is generally not by choice, people should choose to live where they are most happy. If they like nothing of the adopted country, it would not be an absurd suggestion they try elsewhere. But should that be taken to mean migrants ought not to speak up when they think some things could be better?

See, the 10 strong Initiative team that brings you this leisurely Friday read is made up of German, Canadian, Indian, Rwandese, American, Dutch, South African, Maori and New Zealand European descents.

Could New Zealand possibly learn from the places we choose not to live?

Much of New Zealand is built on concepts adapted from elsewhere. For example, our school system heavily promotes the English public school culture including the playing of rugby and cricket; and in the literature and history taught.

Speaking of rugby, how many of the boys we are proud of hail from places other than here?

In a highly diverse context, cultural exchanges are inevitable. They occur organically among people in ongoing contact. It is through the sharing of diverse thinking that encourages debate and in turn pushes nations to develop.

Later this month, the Goethe Institute will host a panel discussion about the role cultural exchanges in multicultural societies. At the event, I will highlight how culture can result from a shared experience as is the case for refugees and how this experience can be a source of enrichment both for the refugee and the host community.   

Meanwhile, as Eric illustrates in the first Insights piece, it appears that some of our suggestions are influencing change in New Zealand affairs. So we have decided to remain here. Apart from that, we all like it here.

Martine Udahemuka will join Alex Lee, Michael Reddell and Rob McLeod in a panel chaired by Dr Oliver Hartwich at the Goethe Institute event in Wellington to debate how culture manifests itself in diverse societies. Visit the event website for details.