Waitaki District Council achieves Welcoming Communities accreditation

Published on 24 April 2025

Waitaki District Council is proud to announce its formal accreditation as a Welcoming Community, meeting the New Zealand Welcoming Communities Standard. This recognition underscores the council's commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all newcomers, including recent migrants, international students, and anyone new to the community from other areas in New Zealand.

Mayor Gary Kircher says, “With so many people coming to Waitaki to make it their home, I’m proud that our community is being officially recognised as a welcoming one - both in title and in practice. This acknowledgment wouldn’t have happened without many of the people involved and I thank each and every one of them. And thank you to every Waitakian who takes the time to make a newcomer feel they belong here.”

The Welcoming Communities – Te Waharoa ki ngā Hapori programme, supported by MBIE and Immigration New Zealand, recognises that communities are healthier, happier, and more productive when newcomers are welcomed and included. The programme sets a benchmark for what a successful welcoming community looks like, involving local residents and newcomers in developing and implementing Welcoming Plans to achieve greater economic, social, civic, and cultural success.

Accreditation as a Welcoming Community brings numerous benefits:

• Competitive Advantage: Attract, support, and retain newcomers.

• Community Value: Demonstrates that the council values and welcomes newcomers.

• Progress Assessment: Provides a framework to assess and improve welcoming practices.

• Celebration of Success: Fosters shared pride in positive community outcomes.

• International Network: Connects the council and community to an international welcoming network.

• Showcase Activities: Highlights welcoming activities on national and international stages.

• Access to Resources: Offers support, resources, knowledge sharing, and networking opportunities through the Welcoming Communities programme.

Waitaki District Council has long been committed to being a welcoming and open community. Since joining the Welcoming Communities programme in June 2022, this commitment has been further strengthened. This accreditation recognises the work done so far and the ongoing support for newcomers.

Ana Tangaroa, Waitaki's Welcoming Communities coordinator, has played a pivotal role in this journey. In partnership with Te Runanga o Moeraki, Waitaki Multicultural, Stronger Waitaki, and other community organisations, Ana has organised events such as Race Relations Day, Welcoming Week, and Matariki celebrations, all aimed at bringing together the host community and newcomers.