Hurunui Celebrates Welcome Community Certification

Hurunui Mayor Marie Black said becoming a certified Welcoming Community was “a big step forward.”

The Hurunui District Council held a signing ceremony last week to celebrate the achievement of Welcoming Community certification.

The Immigration New Zealand (INZ) Welcome Community Program – Te Waharoa ki ngā Hapori aims to assist local councils in welcoming recent immigrants, former refugees and international students.

Hurunui is one of 26 councils nationwide participating in this initiative.

Mrs. Black said the initiative is about “making people feel welcome.”

“It’s a big step forward for us as a district.

Hurunui Welcome Community Facilitator Natalie Patterson said obtaining certification is the first milestone in a four-step process.

The Welcoming Communities Advisory Group will start taking inventory of the support available to different ethnic groups and newcomers to determine what is working and identify gaps, she said.

“With that information, we will develop a three-year plan on how to make Hurunui the most welcoming place for all newcomers.”

The term “newcomers” was used rather than immigrants. This included New Zealanders moving into the district from other parts of the country and those arriving from abroad, she said.

“Recent natural disasters may find people wanting a change. We want to make sure Hurunui is where people think.”

– By David Hill
local democracy reporter

New Zealand Public interest journalism through on-air.