A healthier, happier and more productive community

Published on 22 May 2024

Pictured from left to right: Sergeant Stainton, NZ Police; Sandra Hawkins, Chairperson Te Huinga; Sandeep Diwan, Vice Chairperson Multicultural Whangārei; Simon Weston Chief Executive and Mayor Vince Cocurullo, Whangarei District Council; Ralph Correa, President Multi Ethnic Collective.

Whangārei District is a step closer to getting official Welcoming Communities accreditation, with the signing of the Welcoming Communities Statement of Commitment on Friday 17 May 2024.

Welcoming Communities is a programme led by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) in partnership with the Ministry of Ethnic Communities and the Human Rights Commission.

The signing of this document represents a commitment from us, hapū, our key multicultural partners, Police and the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment in working together to promote healthier, happier and more productive communities by welcoming newcomers into the local community.

President of the Multi Ethnic Collective Ralph Correa says the Welcoming communities programme is not just a programme, “It’s a promise. A promise to build a future where everyone, regardless of background or circumstance has the opportunity to thrive.

“It’s a promise to create a society where diversity is not just tolerated but celebrated. And it is a promise to each of us to do our part, however small, to make that vision a reality.” 

Take a look at the Welcoming Communities page to learn more about the programme:

Welcoming Communities