Settling into a new area can be a bit of an emotional rollercoaster, especially if you’ve recently arrived from overseas. Finding your feet and making meaningful connections in a new community can be challenging.
But we can all contribute to making things easier for newcomers by providing welcoming activities, some guidance and support. Often a friendly smile and chat are a straightforward way to make others feel welcome.
As a Council, we’re doing our bit too. Te Tai o Aorere / Tasman District has been an attractive and popular area to move to and live in for a long time. Our population of nearly 60,000 people comes from more than 100 different ethnic backgrounds.
We value the diverse skills, experiences and talents newcomers add to the workforce and communities in our District. They bring vibrancy, different viewpoints, and innovation.
Our new Welcoming Communities Officer is planning a range of hui and gatherings, enabling community members to get involved, share feedback and suggest ideas on how to make Tasman more welcoming.
Keep up to date with the latest activities on their Facebook page(external link) or Instagram(external link).
We have reached a milestone in our Welcoming Communities initiative - with the signing of a ‘Statement of Commitment’.
A ceremony to sign the document was held on Tuesday 17 October 2023 at Greenacres Golf Club in Richmond.
This shows that as a region we are committed to achieving better outcomes for everyone, in particular for newcomers to the area. It sets us apart as an intentionally welcoming place where everyone can belong and thrive.
The Statement was signed by Tasman District Mayor Tim King, chief executive Janine Dowding as well as supportive partners and stakeholders.
Check out a video of the event on YouTube at this link:(external link)
We are set to launch a survey to capture the viewpoints of the wider community on how inclusive we are to newcomers.
Welcoming Communities Officer Birte Becker-Steel wants to hear from people of different ages, ethnicities, and professions from right across our District.
The plan is to get a broad overview of good initiatives, existing gaps, and new ideas about creating a more cohesive society.
People will be asked how welcoming our communities and workplaces feel. What makes newcomers feel like they belong and what can be done to improve community connectiveness in our increasingly ethnically diverse region.
Birte says the answers to these questions will then shape a ‘Welcoming Plan’ which will become our local guide for more inclusive communities across Tasman District.
She says one specific focus will be on rural parts of the region and to do this we will be running a series of ‘Global Cafes’. These are social events to encourage conversations about inclusion and belonging.
“We want to plan these events collaboratively and invite employers, community groups and interested individuals to get in touch.”
To find out more contact birte.becker-steel@tasman.govt.nz
Welcoming Week is in September
Welcoming Week events have been held for the past two years.
The focus is on bringing people new to our community together to feel included, but also for them to share a slice of their culture with others.
DiversiTea events enable people to meet others and try different international teas, along with potluck meals that provided great opportunities for people to share kai and connect with a range of different community members.
Our Welcoming Communities Officer Birte Becker-Steel says many conversations were held focusing on what makes us feel like we belong, what we love about living in Tasman and what people would like to see happen in the future.
She says settling into a new area, if not a new country, has always been challenging and finding out about local opportunities, making new friends, and becoming part of the community takes time, but events like these really help.
Birte says now is the time to reach out, build bridges and relationships and improve the links across the Tasman community.
If you have ideas for other community events, contact Birte who can help you to organise welcoming activities in your group or community, share information and start new initiatives. Get in touch by email: birte.becker-steel@tasman.govt.nz.
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