Hamilton Kirikiriroa is now recognised as a Committed Community under Immigration New Zealand’s Welcoming Communities Te Waharoa ki ngaa Hapori programme.
This follows the Welcoming Plan launch and commitment signing event held in April 2022.
The initiative aims to help recent migrants, former refugees, international students, and anyone new to our city feel more supported and included.
Along with 10 other councils, Hamilton City Council has achieved the first of four stages of accreditation and is one step closer to becoming a fully accredited Excelling Welcoming Community.
This comes as Council approves a budget of $75,000 through our (2022/23) Annual Plan to enable our community groups to help deliver our Welcoming Plan. This funding will go towards helping groups who would like to offer support in welcoming people into their local community. It’s aimed at supporting new initiatives over and above what is already being provided.
There’s been a lot of hard mahi going on behind the scenes between Council and partner community groups, said Councillor Kesh Naidoo-Rauf.
Hamilton City Council would like to invite employers and business organisations to support the plan and help make Hamilton welcoming for your diverse staff and those who are yet to join your organisation.
One of the Outcomes of the Plan is on Economic Development, Business and Employment where:
- newcomers are supported to access local employment information, services and networks
- newcomers are supported with local knowledge to ensure they can operate successfully in the NZ work environment as a business owner or as an employee, and
- communities recognise the value of diversity in the workplace
Hamilton City Council produces the Your Guide to Hamilton 2022, a useful settlement booklet for staff who have just moved to Hamilton.
This year Hamilton will celebrate the first Welcoming Week ‘Where we Belong’ from 9-18 September, with a variety of events and activities that promote Hamilton as a Welcoming City where everyone can belong.
If you would like to know more about the plan, need copies of the booklet for your staff or would like to support and know more about the Welcoming Week Celebration, contact Jovi Abellanosa, Ethnic Development Advisor at jovi.abellanosa@hcc.govt.nz
