What is Third Culture?

By Harry Oram, July 27 2026

There is a phrase that has quietly shaped my life for many years: Third Culture.

For some, it describes people who grow up between cultures—never feeling fully at home in one or another. That was certainly part of my own experience. I was born and raised in Hong Kong to a Filipino mother and a New Zealand father of British heritage. Throughout my life I have lived, studied and worked across different countries, constantly navigating different customs, identities and ways of seeing the world.

But over time, I came to realise that Third Culture is about something much bigger than my own story.

It is not simply about where we come from.

It is about what we choose to build together.

Beyond Multiculturalism

New Zealand is becoming an increasingly diverse nation. People arrive from every corner of the world, bringing with them languages, traditions, faiths and perspectives that enrich our communities.

People bring different histories, traditions and experiences to New Zealand. Those perspectives can enrich our society, but they do not, by themselves, create a strong community.

A thriving nation is built on more than diversity. It is built on shared values, shared responsibility and a shared commitment to one another.

Living beside one another is not the same as building a future together. Community grows when people participate in a common culture while contributing the richness of their own experiences.

That is where the idea of Third Culture begins.

A Shared Culture

At Third Culture Foundation, we believe every person should be proud of their heritage.

You should never have to choose between where you came from and where you belong.

Instead, we encourage people to contribute the best of their own traditions while embracing the shared values and responsibilities of being part of New Zealand.

For us, Third Culture is the space where those worlds meet.

It is where identity becomes contribution.

Where difference becomes dialogue.

Where strangers become neighbours.

Where communities become stronger because people choose to invest in one another.

Why Storytelling Matters

Stories have an extraordinary ability to bring people together.

Whether through film, music, fashion, leadership or community programmes, stories allow us to see life through another person's eyes. They build empathy, challenge assumptions and remind us of our shared humanity.

That is why creativity sits at the heart of everything we do.

Our programmes are not simply about teaching skills.

They are about creating opportunities for people to listen, collaborate, lead and discover that our differences can become strengths rather than barriers.

Building the Next Generation

Our work is ultimately about the future.

We want young people to grow up confident in who they are, respectful of others and equipped to contribute positively to their communities.

Through initiatives such as the Kaitiaki Programme, the Third Culture Film Festival and our community partnerships, we aim to create places where people from different backgrounds can learn alongside one another, build genuine friendships and discover common purpose.

We believe leadership begins with service.

Creativity flourishes through collaboration.

Strong communities are built through relationships.

An Invitation

Third Culture is not something we own.

It is something we hope to cultivate.

Whether you were born in Aotearoa or arrived yesterday, whether your family has lived here for generations or you are beginning a new chapter, there is a place for you in helping shape the future of our communities.

The strongest cultures are not those that remain unchanged.

They are those that welcome people, preserve what is valuable and inspire each generation to leave things better than they found them.

That is the future we are working towards.

That is what Third Culture means to us.