Welcoming Communities

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Nau Mai, Haere Mai, Ki Te Waihopai

Discover Waihōpai/Invercargill – Our City with Heart

Invercargill, home to 60,000 people, is a city rich in diversity and opportunity. Our Asian, Pacific, Middle Eastern, Latin American, and African communities make up 24.3% of the local population, with Māori representing a further 19%. Whether you're new to the city or looking to get more involved, Waihōpai welcomes you— together, we all weave the vibrant tapestry of Invercargill.

Welcoming Communities Partnership

Invercargill is proud to be part of Welcoming Communities, a national initiative led by Immigration New Zealand that helps local councils and communities foster inclusive and connected environments. This partnership reflects Waihōpai's commitment to celebrating diversity and ensuring newcomers feel valued and included in every aspect of community life.

As a Welcoming Community, Invercargill works toward:

  • Creating inclusive public spaces that support cultural expression and celebration.
  • Ensuring equitable access to community services, resources, and information.
  • Supporting economic growth by recognizing and utilizing the skills and contributions of all residents, including newcomers.
  • Strengthening intercultural connections to build a more connected and cohesive community.

Useful Community Directories

Having access to the right support makes settling in easier. Here are key directories and links to help you connect with services, opportunities, and the wider community:

  • CAB Southland Directory – A comprehensive resource listing community groups, clubs, volunteer opportunities, local businesses, and essential services.

  • Connected Murihiku – A hub for employment, training, and community support services, helping residents access networks and learning opportunities.

  • Invercargill Welcoming Kit – A downloadable pdf guide listing key agencies and services available across the city. Access the kit using the Welcoming Kit widget on the right side of this webpage.

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

  • English Language Partners: Offering language support to help you communicate effectively in your new community.
  • Drive My Life Program – Taraiwa Mataora is a community mentoring driver licensing program. For more information or to participate, please contact Southern REAP at enquiries@reap.co.nz or call 0800111117.


Nau Mai, Haere Mai, Ki Te Waihopai

Discover Waihōpai/Invercargill – Our City with Heart

Invercargill, home to 60,000 people, is a city rich in diversity and opportunity. Our Asian, Pacific, Middle Eastern, Latin American, and African communities make up 24.3% of the local population, with Māori representing a further 19%. Whether you're new to the city or looking to get more involved, Waihōpai welcomes you— together, we all weave the vibrant tapestry of Invercargill.

Welcoming Communities Partnership

Invercargill is proud to be part of Welcoming Communities, a national initiative led by Immigration New Zealand that helps local councils and communities foster inclusive and connected environments. This partnership reflects Waihōpai's commitment to celebrating diversity and ensuring newcomers feel valued and included in every aspect of community life.

As a Welcoming Community, Invercargill works toward:

  • Creating inclusive public spaces that support cultural expression and celebration.
  • Ensuring equitable access to community services, resources, and information.
  • Supporting economic growth by recognizing and utilizing the skills and contributions of all residents, including newcomers.
  • Strengthening intercultural connections to build a more connected and cohesive community.

Useful Community Directories

Having access to the right support makes settling in easier. Here are key directories and links to help you connect with services, opportunities, and the wider community:

  • CAB Southland Directory – A comprehensive resource listing community groups, clubs, volunteer opportunities, local businesses, and essential services.

  • Connected Murihiku – A hub for employment, training, and community support services, helping residents access networks and learning opportunities.

  • Invercargill Welcoming Kit – A downloadable pdf guide listing key agencies and services available across the city. Access the kit using the Welcoming Kit widget on the right side of this webpage.

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

  • English Language Partners: Offering language support to help you communicate effectively in your new community.
  • Drive My Life Program – Taraiwa Mataora is a community mentoring driver licensing program. For more information or to participate, please contact Southern REAP at enquiries@reap.co.nz or call 0800111117.


  • 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: 03 Mar 2025, 04:03 PM