Queenstown Lakes District Council’s (QLDC) ‘Welcoming Week’ begins today (Friday September 6) with a calendar of events designed to bring people together and encourage a sense of belonging and connection. 

Wānaka’s Welcoming Week events (which run until September 17) include a culinary workshop, photography exhibition, film screening, community planting session, a ‘squash and potluck’ get-together, and more.

The events have been organised by QLDC in collaboration with local community groups and organisations, QLDC welcoming communities coordinator Silvia Dancose said.

Each of them “aim to foster mutual understanding, stronger connections, and affirm the importance of building welcoming and inclusive communities for everyone in the district”.

This is the first time QLDC has celebrated Welcoming Week, which was first observed in Aotearoa New Zealand in 2022.

The annual campaign celebrates how communities across New Zealand are working to become more welcoming places for everyone, including migrants.

QLDC’s second welcoming communities coordinator, Hemi Cordell, said local Welcoming Week events are a great chance to meet new people and learn about new cultures.

“We know our beautiful landscape attracts people from around the world to live in the Queenstown Lakes, so we want to make sure everyone in our community is included and valued for who they are and the unique talents they bring,” he said. 

As well as the Wānaka events, there are a range of activities, from adult learn-to-swim classes to community drawing classes, over in Queenstown.

This year’s Welcoming Week will run until September 17.

Find more information on Welcoming Week and how to get involved here.

Listen to The Outlet Podcast: Embracing diversity - Silvia and Hemi on Queenstown Lakes' welcoming week and inclusive community building

PHOTO: QLDC