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Welcoming Communities - Te Waharoa ki ngā Hapori

The Welcoming Communities - Te Waharoa ki ngā Hapori programme rolls out the welcome mat for all newcomers to Marlborough. It provides a framework for Marlborough to become even more welcoming and attractive to newcomers - a place where people want to come, stay and make their home.

Welcoming Communities is coordinated by Immigration New Zealand and aims to encourage and support councils and their communities to take a greater leadership role in welcoming newcomers. Marlborough is one of 40 councils and local boards in New Zealand participating in the programme.

Watch our Marlborough Welcoming Communities video. This video, filmed during Welcoming Week 2024, captures the vibrancy of Welcoming Week and explains the importance of programmes like Welcoming Communities and the Marlborough Multicultural Centre for our newcomers.

Read more about the national Welcoming Communities Programme on the Immigration NZ website:

Go to the Immigration NZ website

Watch the introduction video for the national Welcoming Communities programme:

Why did Marlborough District Council join the Welcoming Communities programme?

Marlborough District Council joined the Welcoming Communities programme in July 2022 to recognize the importance of celebrating the broad range of people who have chosen to make Marlborough their home.

Marlborough is a diverse community of people with 17% percent of Marlborough residents born overseas (2018 census data) . Our community includes Māori, former refugees, international students, RSE workers, New Zealand residents who are new to Marlborough, people who are first generation kiwis and others who have lived here for generations.

A strong, vibrant community enables all of its members to participate in its economic, civic and social life. It is a community where everyone feels included and has a sense of belonging. Communities that proactively foster an environment where newcomers feel welcomed are more likely to enjoy better social outcomes and economic growth. The resulting social cohesion enables stronger, more resilient communities to flourish.

How can Marlborough achieve a Welcoming Community?

The Welcoming Communities Programme supports local government, iwi and community organisations to promote, showcase and enhance existing initiatives to help newcomers feel welcome. It also creates new opportunies for welcoming activities. This broad range of activities and initiatives will make up the Welcome Plan for Marlborough.

Our community involvement in welcoming newcomers in a variety of ways is key to the programme’s sucesss. Building connections between locals and newcomers means everyone feels included, knows they belong and that Marlborough feels like home.

Marlborough District Council is consulting and partnering with te Tauihu iwi in developing the Welcome Plan, and is working with iwi to create, advocate for, and continue to foster a welcoming and inclusive community.

The Welcoming Communities standard, made up of the eight elements below, is a key part of the programme, providing a benchmark for what makes a successful welcoming community.

We are very proud to announce that Marlborough has signed the Welcoming Communities Statement of Commitment at a ceremony in the Marlborough District Council Chambers on Nov. 24th 2023. The Statement of Commitment was signed by Rawiri Faulker, Pou Toa Matarau of Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Mayor Nadine Taylor, Turi Hippolite, Pou Whakahaere of Ngāti Koata, Corey Hebberd , Kaiwhakahaere Matua of Rangitāne, Mark Wheeler, CEO of the Marlborough District Council and Matilde Tayawa Figuracion , Chair of the Marlborough Multicultural Centre. This signing is the final step in achieving stage 1 accreditation as a “Committed Welcoming Community” and a symbol of our journey of working together to welcome and support newcomers and create an inclusive community where everyone can feel they belong.

If you have any questions or would like more information about the Welcoming Communities programme, please contact Welcoming Communities coordinator Heather Barnes:

Email: heather.barnes@marlborough.govt.nz

Mobile: 0204 043 7144

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