Welcoming Plan - Community Engagement Sessions

Join us for a series of interactive community engagement hui to explore ways to enhance the wellbeing of migrants and newcomers in our community. Your voice matters, and we want to hear your thoughts, experiences, and ideas. This is a collaborative effort to create a more inclusive and supportive community for everyone.

We are gathering feedback from newcomers, ethnic communities, organisations and the wider Whangārei community to help draft the Welcoming Plan, a roadmap to make our District more welcoming and inclusive, as part of the Welcoming Communities Programme.

Help us make a difference. Together, we can build a stronger, more connected Whangārei.

What to Expect:
- Open discussions
- Interactive sessions
- Opportunities to share your story
- Networking with community leaders and fellow residents

Who Should Attend:
- Migrants and their families
- Community leaders
- Service providers
- Anyone interested in migrant wellbeing

Light refreshments will be provided.

Topics and dates:

20 February: Pou Hapori – Community
This session will focus on ways to make our community more welcoming and inclusive. We’ll also discuss support to newcomers to fully participate in the community, and be active in all forms of civic participation, including in leadership roles.

8 April: Pou Tūhono – Connection
This session will focus on building meaningful connections between newcomers and our receiving community, forming a shared sense of pride in being part of a culturally rich and vibrant community. We'll also talk about inclusive communications to build bridges between cultures and support a sense of belonging.

10 June: Pou Wātea – Access
This session will discuss access to services and activities, identifying barriers and specific needs of urban and rural areas. We’ll also discuss how to make public spaces welcoming and create a sense of community ownership and inclusion for all.

12 August: Pou Whai Hua – Opportunity
This session is about maximising opportunities for economic development, business and employment, identifying issues, and recognising the contribution of newcomers to our economy and workforce.