Welcoming Communities

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Nau Mai, Haere Mai, Ki Te Waihopai

Invercargill City Council is committed to making newcomers feel welcome in our great city. Newcomers can include immigrants, former refugees and international students. We believe that with newcomers feeling welcome, our community enjoys better social outcomes and stronger economic growth. 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.


Are you new to the city?

We understand that moving to a new place can be challenging. Our partner programmes and events can help you to get the support and information that you need for an easier transition. This page will be regularly updated with our current and upcoming initiatives and events, go to "Key Dates" to find out more about.

For more information, feel free to contact Amelie, your local Welcoming Coordinator.


Partner programmes:

Southland Chamber of Commerce – Southland Leadership Academy

Invercargill City Council, Southland District Council, and Gore District Council have identified that there is an opportunity for newcomers to hold leadership positions within Southland’s business, community and not-for-profit sectors. The Southland Newcomer Leadership Scholarship enables eligible applicants to participate in the Southland Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Academy programme.

Interested to know more? Please see our scholarship webpage

Apply now for 2023 scholarship, applications closes on 7 December 2022.

Interviews for the scholarship will be held the week of the 12 to 16 December 2022.


Southern REAP - Drive My Life

Invercargill City Council, Southland District Council and Gore District Council are supporter of the Drive My Life programme at Southern REAP. This is a community mentoring driving programme for vulnerable rangatahi (16-24 years old) of Murihiku, including new migrants. Between September 2021 and April 2022, 40 newcomers participants have engaged in the Drive My Life Programme, with 23 of them successfully obtaining either their Learners, Restricted of Full Driving License.

Contact Colleen Parkhill-Burke at Southern REAP for more information at colleen@reap.co.nz or 027 215 4166.



Together, let's make Invercargill and Bluff more welcoming places

In December 2021, Invercargill City Council held a hui asking our newcomer communities what would make Invercargill a more welcoming place. We still want to hear your thoughts on how we could make things better: Share in "Ideas" the one thing that would make you feel more welcome.

Nau Mai, Haere Mai, Ki Te Waihopai

Invercargill City Council is committed to making newcomers feel welcome in our great city. Newcomers can include immigrants, former refugees and international students. We believe that with newcomers feeling welcome, our community enjoys better social outcomes and stronger economic growth. 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.


Are you new to the city?

We understand that moving to a new place can be challenging. Our partner programmes and events can help you to get the support and information that you need for an easier transition. This page will be regularly updated with our current and upcoming initiatives and events, go to "Key Dates" to find out more about.

For more information, feel free to contact Amelie, your local Welcoming Coordinator.


Partner programmes:

Southland Chamber of Commerce – Southland Leadership Academy

Invercargill City Council, Southland District Council, and Gore District Council have identified that there is an opportunity for newcomers to hold leadership positions within Southland’s business, community and not-for-profit sectors. The Southland Newcomer Leadership Scholarship enables eligible applicants to participate in the Southland Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Academy programme.

Interested to know more? Please see our scholarship webpage

Apply now for 2023 scholarship, applications closes on 7 December 2022.

Interviews for the scholarship will be held the week of the 12 to 16 December 2022.


Southern REAP - Drive My Life

Invercargill City Council, Southland District Council and Gore District Council are supporter of the Drive My Life programme at Southern REAP. This is a community mentoring driving programme for vulnerable rangatahi (16-24 years old) of Murihiku, including new migrants. Between September 2021 and April 2022, 40 newcomers participants have engaged in the Drive My Life Programme, with 23 of them successfully obtaining either their Learners, Restricted of Full Driving License.

Contact Colleen Parkhill-Burke at Southern REAP for more information at colleen@reap.co.nz or 027 215 4166.



Together, let's make Invercargill and Bluff more welcoming places

In December 2021, Invercargill City Council held a hui asking our newcomer communities what would make Invercargill a more welcoming place. We still want to hear your thoughts on how we could make things better: Share in "Ideas" the one thing that would make you feel more welcome.

  • Southland Leadership Academy - Newcomer Scholarship applications open for 2023

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    Are you new to Southland and New Zealand?

    Are you interested in attending the Southland Leadership Academy next year?




    Thanks to the support of Southland Business Chamber, Invercargill City Council has the opportunity to nominate a newcomer for 2023 to bring diversity for the next generation of Southland Leaders.

    The Southland Newcomer Leadership Scholarship supports newcomers in the Southland region to grow their leadership skills and give them confidence to step in the community and our businesses. This unique opportunity is available for newcomers who wish to attend the Southland Chamber’s Leadership Academy programme.


    For more information and to complete the application form, please see:

    2023 Southland Leadership Academy - Application form

    Applications close on Wednesday 7 December




  • 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 last updated: 10 Dec 2022, 02:27 PM