Seasonal workers from Pacific nations appreciate the work from Central Otago’s Welcoming Communities, in helping them settle into life in the district.

Welcoming Communities officer Heather Harries told the Central Otago District Council last week that the partnership with Seasonal Solutions had worked well.

Now in its second year of rolling out the welcome mat to newcomers, the organisation has produced a six-monthly report for the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

Welcoming Communities strives to make newcomers feel a sense of belonging on the basis that a thriving community enables a flourishing economy.

Welcoming Communities - Te Waharoa ki ngā Hapori, is a settlement programme that supports councils and their communities to create welcoming and inclusive environments for newcomers – recent migrants, former refugees and international students. 

It involves local residents in developing, delivering and participating in welcoming activities.

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is leading the programme’s implementation with the Office of Ethnic Communities and the Human Rights Commission.

Some of the highlights this year have included a multicultural mural on the Cromwell Football Club building on Alpha St, a Business South Scholarship award, Pasifika dance workshop, and a series of cultural capability workshops attended by 80 people, and focusing on developing understanding around cultural nuances.

Heather said Welcoming Communities strived for self-sustainable initiatives, led by the community itself.

“The Alexandra Newcomers Network, the Cromwell Newcomers Network and Seasonal Staff Manaaki are cohesive support groups that are gathering momentum. Recently, a wide range of community stakeholders have been meeting regularly at Central Otago REAP to support new migrant families, developing inter-connection between workplaces, education facilities, social services and ESOL tuition.”

Further initiatives happening this year include an international pot luck dinner on November 10, to coincide with Diwali and the official opening of the Cromwell Multicultural Mural Celebration on November 12.