Nine days of events celebrating diversity and inclusion kick off today (Friday September 5) with the beginning of ‘Welcoming Week’.

Welcoming Week features a range of community-led events held in both Wānaka and Queenstown, from planting days and community garden working bees, to shared morning teas.

“We have many different cultural groups across our district and our diversity is something to be celebrated – together we are stronger,” Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) welcoming communities coordinator Silvia Danclose said. 

“We invite everyone to get involved in Welcoming Week. There are all sorts of activities to enjoy, on both sides of the hill, and they are all free.”

Welcoming Week will include a ceremony in Wānaka where dozens of new Kiwis will take part in an official celebration of their new citizenship. 

Other local highlights include a volunteer match evening, where people are invited to ‘find their perfect match’ with local organisations looking for volunteers. 

There are also a range of workshops, including one in Wānaka teaching people about working in New Zealand, plus Plunket playdates, a sports ‘have a go’ session, and more.

Over in Queenstown there is a business workshop in Spanish for Latino entrepreneurs, a small music festival, more workshops, and an open day at OneBike Hub in Frankton.

Welcoming Week is a nationwide annual campaign, supported by QLDC, to support newcomers to feel welcome and able to participate in the economic, civic, cultural and social life of their new community.

This year’s theme is to showcase and celebrate how communities are working to be more welcoming places.

Find the full Welcoming Week calendar here.

PHOTO: Supplied