Welcoming Communities
We love living in Central Otago and are always looking for new and different ways to make newcomers feel welcome in this amazing place. The dramatic landscape and colourful seasons draw people from around the world, but what keeps us here is the connection we have with the land and each other.
We believe communities that make newcomers feel welcome are likely to enjoy better social outcomes, greater social cohesion and stronger economic growth. Building connections between locals and newcomers means everyone feels included and knows they belong.
“We are proud to be one of the first councils in Otago to roll out this programme, which will enable Council to work alongside and support local community groups already working hard to put the proverbial ‘welcome mat’ out.”– Central Otago District Council Mayor Tim Cadogan (excerpt from 1 July 2021 media release: CODC joins Welcoming Communities programme)
We’re pleased to welcome Deborah Beange on board as our Welcoming Communities Officer. She can be reached on deborah.beange@codc.govt.nz
More about the programme
What is Welcoming Communities? | Immigration New Zealand
The Welcoming Communities Standard | Immigration New Zealand
In the News
- Commitment made to welcome newcomers | Central Otago News (thenews.co.nz) ( The News, 21 December 2021)
- Central Otago District Council committed to Welcoming Communities programme (The Central APP, 17 December 2021)
- Council committed to Welcoming Communities (14 December 2021)
- Operation Cromwell Harvest - Welcoming harvesters to our community (Cromwell and Districts News, 2 November 2021)
- Sports Night to welcome seasonal workers - Cromwell & Districts News (Cromwell and Districts News, 2 November 2021)
- 'Climb and Connect' with your community this weekend (The Central APP, 9 November 2021)
Welcoming Communities supported Operation Cromwell Harvest's first social gathering for the season at Cromwell on Wednesday 8 December with the Welcome BBQ and Sports Evening for seasonal staff. About 30 staff attended from a wide range of orchards in the area.
Following on from this launch event, there was a pool party on Thursday 20 January at the Cromwell Pool. Unfortunately the next event, a picnic night with music and games on the McNulty House lawn on Melmore Terrace in the Old Cromwell Precinct on Friday 25 February, had to be cancelled because of the pandemic. But keep an eye on the CODC (and Operation Cromwell Harvest) Facebook pages for news.
And we've got our Hidden Gems for Newcomers up and running. We're developing a list of our favourite places to visit around the district - tracks, dams, rivers and picnic spots. We'd welcome anyone's ideas to add to the list.
2022 events so far
Neighbours Day
Welcoming Communities together with Neighbourhood Support was involved with Neighbours Day Aotearoa 18-27 March 2022, the theme being recipe sharing. Read all about it in this story on the Central App. See the latest on the Council's news pages, and again on Central App.
Neighbours Day article in the 12 May The News: Great recipe for Neighbours Day | Central Otago News (thenews.co.nz)
Newcomer Survey
In March-April, we carried out a Welcoming Communities Newcomer Survey for those new to town to share their experiences of of coming to a new place, and we'll be reporting on the outcome soon.
Central Otago Newcomer Leadership Scholarship
This was a call out to future leaders involved in business, not for profit organisations or community groups, to apply for a Business South scholarship to further their skills. Applications closed 25 April. More news to come in this space. Read all about it: A helping hand for new leaders - Central Otago District Council (codc.govt.nz)
Congratulations to our first winner in 2022, Emily Walters of EzyConsents in Cromwell. Read more:
Other useful links and information:
- Centralotagonz.com (the place to find out more if you are visiting or moving to Central Otago to enrich your experience)
- The Central App (a handy online site and smartphone app for new and community info from Central Otago)
- ESOL (English for speakers of other languages) 8-week courses are available from Central REAP Education. Adult and Community Education Categories - COREAP
- Central Otago Creative Wellbeing Programme
Regular events
Free weekly art classes funded by ARTSENTA .
Wanaka Community Hub: Tuesday 2 – 4.30pm
Cromwell Arts and Crafts Centre: Wednesday 2- 4.30pm
Alexandra Community House: Thursday 2 – 4.30pm
The programme will operate under red traffic light settings.
Upcoming events
- Immigration NZ information & webinar on new Accredited Employer Work Visa
This is targeted at employers looking to hire staff on work visas.
The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is a new temporary work visa opening to applications on 4 July 2022.
Employers looking to hire staff on AEWV can apply for accreditation from 23 May 2022 and for a job check from 20 June 2022
The Essential Skills Work Visa will close to applications on 3 July 2022.
Detailed information about employer accreditation is available on this Immigration NZ link.
Immigration NZ is holding a webinar on the detailed requirements for employer accreditation
