Welcoming Communities

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Nau Mai, Haere Mai, Ki Te Waihopai

Discover Waihōpai – Our City with Heart

Invercargill, a city rich with culture and community spirit, welcomes residents from all corners of the globe. Whether you're new here or considering making Invercargill your home, we’re here to help you every step of the way with useful links, tips, and resources. According to Manākitanga principles, we strive for an environment where everybody is able to equally participate in the economic, civic, cultural and social activities of our community.

Community Demographics

Discover the Vibrant Tapestry of Invercargill!

Welcome to Invercargill, where every face tells a story, and every story weaves into the vibrant fabric of our city! With a population of 56,800, Invercargill is a melting pot of cultures where tradition meets tomorrow. Residents come from far and wide, including the United Kingdom, India, South Africa, Colombia, the Congo, Brazil, and the Pacific, each adding unique hues to our cultural parade. From Māori to newcomers from across the globe, every community contributes to our collective story.

Welcoming Communities Partnership

Invercargill is proud to be a partner in the "Welcoming Communities" initiative, a national program led by Immigration New Zealand that supports local councils and communities to create inclusive environments. This partnership emphasizes our dedication to celebrating diversity and enhancing the inclusion of newcomers in every aspect of community life.

What it Means to be a Welcoming Community

As a Welcoming Community, Invercargill works towards:

  • Creating welcoming public spaces for cultural expression and celebration.
  • Encouraging equitable access to community services, resources, and information.
  • Promoting economic development that leverages the skills and contributions of all residents, including newcomers.
  • Facilitating meaningful intercultural connections between residents.

Engage with Us

We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts on:

  • How can we make our public spaces more welcoming for cultural expression and celebration?
  • What services or resources would help you feel more included in the community?
  • How can we support economic development that benefits everyone, including newcomers?
  • What are some ways we can encourage intercultural connections in our community?

Coming soon - Welcoming Pack

We're excited about the launch of our Welcoming Kit, set to go live at the end of July. This kit is part of our ongoing effort to make every newcomer feel at home. Having already conducted two sector hui, we're looking forward to adding personal testimonials from community members. If you'd like to share your story or participate, please contact me, Danielle Carson, your Community Activator at danielle.carson@icc.govt.nz.

Drive My Life Program

Drive My Life – Taraiwa Mataora is a community mentoring driver licensing program aimed at reducing the number of unlicensed drivers and providing crucial road safety education. This initiative targets vulnerable groups within Invercargill and Southland, offering them not just driving skills but also increasing their self-esteem and job opportunities. For more information or to participate, please contact Southern REAP at enquiries@reap.co.nz or call 0800111117.

Events and Cultural Highlights

  • Southland NZ Calendar: Keep up to date with all local events through the Southland Events Calendar. From festivals to workshops, there’s always something happening!
  • Southland Multicultural Trust: Follow the Multicultural Trust's Facebook page for upcoming cultural events and gatherings that celebrate our diverse community.

Helpful Links

Here are some handy links to help you settle in and learn more about what Southland has to offer:

We understand that moving to a new city is a significant step, and we are here to support you. Whether it’s finding a home, exploring job opportunities, or connecting with your community, Invercargill is ready to welcome you.

Nau Mai, Haere Mai, Ki Te Waihopai

Discover Waihōpai – Our City with Heart

Invercargill, a city rich with culture and community spirit, welcomes residents from all corners of the globe. Whether you're new here or considering making Invercargill your home, we’re here to help you every step of the way with useful links, tips, and resources. According to Manākitanga principles, we strive for an environment where everybody is able to equally participate in the economic, civic, cultural and social activities of our community.

Community Demographics

Discover the Vibrant Tapestry of Invercargill!

Welcome to Invercargill, where every face tells a story, and every story weaves into the vibrant fabric of our city! With a population of 56,800, Invercargill is a melting pot of cultures where tradition meets tomorrow. Residents come from far and wide, including the United Kingdom, India, South Africa, Colombia, the Congo, Brazil, and the Pacific, each adding unique hues to our cultural parade. From Māori to newcomers from across the globe, every community contributes to our collective story.

Welcoming Communities Partnership

Invercargill is proud to be a partner in the "Welcoming Communities" initiative, a national program led by Immigration New Zealand that supports local councils and communities to create inclusive environments. This partnership emphasizes our dedication to celebrating diversity and enhancing the inclusion of newcomers in every aspect of community life.

What it Means to be a Welcoming Community

As a Welcoming Community, Invercargill works towards:

  • Creating welcoming public spaces for cultural expression and celebration.
  • Encouraging equitable access to community services, resources, and information.
  • Promoting economic development that leverages the skills and contributions of all residents, including newcomers.
  • Facilitating meaningful intercultural connections between residents.

Engage with Us

We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts on:

  • How can we make our public spaces more welcoming for cultural expression and celebration?
  • What services or resources would help you feel more included in the community?
  • How can we support economic development that benefits everyone, including newcomers?
  • What are some ways we can encourage intercultural connections in our community?

Coming soon - Welcoming Pack

We're excited about the launch of our Welcoming Kit, set to go live at the end of July. This kit is part of our ongoing effort to make every newcomer feel at home. Having already conducted two sector hui, we're looking forward to adding personal testimonials from community members. If you'd like to share your story or participate, please contact me, Danielle Carson, your Community Activator at danielle.carson@icc.govt.nz.

Drive My Life Program

Drive My Life – Taraiwa Mataora is a community mentoring driver licensing program aimed at reducing the number of unlicensed drivers and providing crucial road safety education. This initiative targets vulnerable groups within Invercargill and Southland, offering them not just driving skills but also increasing their self-esteem and job opportunities. For more information or to participate, please contact Southern REAP at enquiries@reap.co.nz or call 0800111117.

Events and Cultural Highlights

  • Southland NZ Calendar: Keep up to date with all local events through the Southland Events Calendar. From festivals to workshops, there’s always something happening!
  • Southland Multicultural Trust: Follow the Multicultural Trust's Facebook page for upcoming cultural events and gatherings that celebrate our diverse community.

Helpful Links

Here are some handy links to help you settle in and learn more about what Southland has to offer:

We understand that moving to a new city is a significant step, and we are here to support you. Whether it’s finding a home, exploring job opportunities, or connecting with your community, Invercargill is ready to welcome you.

  • Letters from Iraq: Conversation with oud player Rahim AlHaj

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    Wednesday 5 October, 6.30 - 7pm at the Civic Theatre (piano lounge)

    Described as one of the greatest Oud players in the World by the San Francisco Chronicle, Rahim AlHaj joins with the New Zealand String Quartet, double bassist Joan Perarnau Garriga and percussionist Justin DeHart, in this thought-provoking and evocative Letters from Iraq.

    Enjoy a discussion with Rahim in the Piano Lounge here at the Civic Theatre before the show on Wednesday 5 October from 6.30-7pm. In this free event listen as Rahim speaks of his journey after fleeing from his home in Iraq to Syria and Jordan and then on to the United States of America.



    To buy a ticket for the concert: https://premier.ticketek.co.nz/events/CMNZLETT22/venues/ICT/performances/EICM2022893/tickets


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  • Celebrate Welcoming Week with us!

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    Welcoming Week (9 to 18 September 2022) is an opportunity to celebrate the inclusivity and diversity of our city and the values that unite us as neighbours, parents, and colleagues to make our communities more welcoming to all those who call Invercargill home. This week is a chance to show Whanaungatanga - the importance of relationships, and Manākitanga - the process of showing respect, generosity and care for others.

    With this year theme “Where we belong”, Invercargill City Council wants to bring dialogue and new perspectives to our community through the form of a Human Library where Human Books will be available for meaningful face-to-face conversations about their own journey.

    Members of the community are invited to hear stories from our Human Books at Invercargill Public Library on Sunday 11 September, from 1.30pm to 3.30pm. Conversation will be scheduled for 15 minutes. Find the full programme in the "Documents" area of that page.



    Invercargill City Council also wants to acknowledge its new citizens with a planting ceremony of native trees held that same week as last citizenship ceremonies were cancelled with Covid restrictions. A way for the invited citizens to put down their roots for good in Invercargill as this is their home!

    There are many ways you and your colleagues, neighbours and community members can celebrate together Welcoming Week, whether it's by sharing some food from your native country, hosting a diversiTEA or simply being welcoming to someone new to here.

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  • Boost your career with ICC

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    Thank you for those who came along to our information event "Boost your career with ICC" this Wednesday 13 July 2022 at the Invercargill Public Library.

    Our People and Capabilities manager Gary Andrews offered useful advice and resources on how to find and effectively apply for a job in New Zealand while our two migrant ICC employees, Gill Caron and Malavika Cassiere shared their inspiring inside stories. This presentation was followed by informal discussions with food and drinks.

    If you wish to do so, please refer to the Documents section of this page to download our presentation.

    Great South's Skills Placement Programme offers support for you and your immediate family to find a job that matches your skills

    Feel free to contact Shanaye Jenkins directly for more information at shanaye@greatsouth.nz


    Resources:

    - Inland Revenue: Apply for an IRD Number.

    - Employment New Zealand: Minimum rights of employees - other language translations

    - Great South: Southland Skills Placement Programme

Page published: 07 Jun 2024, 02:37 PM