A Queenstown Lakes group will guide a new programme which aims to help create a welcoming environment for migrants, international students and New Zealanders who are new to our local community.

Feeling disconnected from family and friends, struggling to connect with the community, and facing challenges with accommodation and the cost of living were just some of the issues shared by new migrants at an event in Wānaka last month.

Meanwhile the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) has announced the establishment of the Welcoming Communities Advisory Group (WCAG), which represents newcomer and community groups, iwi, business and central government partners. 

Only a handful of people attended a recent Kiwi Kit event in Wānaka. PHOTO: Linda Joll

It is the latest step taken by QLDC towards completing the Welcoming Communities programme, a four-step programme for councils to take specific actions to make their communities more welcoming to newcomers.

WCAG consists of 13 members who will provide leadership and advice on the development of the district’s Welcome Plan 2023-2026, which will set out what the community will do to make the region more welcoming. 

Queenstown Lakes District Council Welcoming Communities coordinator Silvia Dancose said she was “delighted to have so many passionate community members volunteer their time to join the WCAG”.

The WCAG will develop the Welcome Plan from feedback gathered from Whakatipu hui in June, an upcoming Upper Clutha hui in November, and a ‘stocktake report’ - which evaluated how the community is meeting the needs of newcomers - completed in August. 

Silvia Dancose PHOTO: Supplied

New Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board member Linda Joll said she was inspired by stories she heard from migrants members of the community at a Kiwi Kit event in Wānaka in September, but said she was disappointed that more people did not attend.

“I learnt we don’t have to migrate from another country to have struggles integrating into new communities - migrating from the north to the South Island can be just as difficult,” she said.

“However, at least the language is the same. Language can put new migrants into a preconceived box in New Zealand - for example, Europeans can work front of house, but Mexican, South American, and some Asian, are assumed to work the back of house, laundry or housekeeping positions.

Kiwi Kit - a charitable trust set up to help migrants to integrate into communities - is doing “an amazing job, [with] migrants helping migrants”, Linda said.

“But really, come on NZ, let’s be more open to real diversity in our country, let’s celebrate our migrant communities, by being more inclusive, non judgemental, and remember we have all come from somewhere to be here.”

Silvia said a hui for the Upper Clutha will be held on Wednesday November 9 at Lake Wānaka Centre. 

Newcomers and key stakeholders are invited to come and share ways to support those new to our district, making them feel welcome and able to participate in the economic, civic, cultural and social aspects of living here. 

Silvia said the group is hoping to identify “champions in the Upper Clutha” who will join the group to guide the development of the QLDC Welcome Plan for the Upper Clutha area. 

Silvia said there will also be other opportunities for local communities to contribute to the development of the Welcome Plan in 2023.

If you are interested in being part of the hui contact Silvia Dancose at [email protected].

Read the Whakatipu Welcoming Communities hui feedback summary and a summary of the Stocktake Report here.