QLDC excited to launch Welcoming Week

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is excited to launch this year’s Welcoming Week, from 5 – 14 September. Welcoming Week New Zealand | Te Wiki o Manaaki Aotearoa is all about celebrating diversity and inclusion in our community. The year’s Welcoming Week is packed full of vibrant community-led events, held in both Wānaka and Queenstown, from planting days and community garden working bees, to shared morning teas, and a small music festival, showcasing music in different languages.

All events are organised and run by different community groups and not-for-profit organisations in the district. Mana Tāhuna will formally open Welcoming Week with a mihi whakatau. “The mihi whakatau acknowledges the arrival of newcomers and reaffirms our shared commitment to inclusivity and belonging. This ceremony reflects the values of manaakitanga and whanaungatanga, setting a respectful and culturally grounded tone for the week ahead,” said Mike Rewi, Chief Executive Officer, Mana Tāhuna. The whakatau will be followed by shared kai and stories about the Whakatipu area. 

Welcoming Week is a nationwide annual campaign, supported by QLDC, to showcase and celebrate how communities are working to be more welcoming places for all. This year's theme of Welcoming Week is ‘Building Stronger Communities Together’. QLDC Welcoming Communities Coordinator Silvia Dancose said this reflects the important role longtime residents play in welcoming newcomers. “We have many different cultural groups across our district and our diversity is something to be celebrated – together we are stronger,” said Ms Dancose. “We invite everyone to get involved in Welcoming Week. There are all sorts of activities to enjoy, on both sides of the hill, and they are all free.”

This year’s Welcoming Week includes a Citizenship Ceremony in Wānaka, where dozens of new Kiwis will take part in an official celebration of their new citizenship. Other highlights include a volunteer match evening, where people are invited to ‘find their perfect match’ with local organisations looking for volunteers. There are workshops on wellbeing, te reo Māori, working in Aotearoa New Zealand, and a business workshop in Spanish for Latino entrepreneurs. There are also sports ‘come-and-have-a-go sessions', Plunket playdates, and an open day at OneBike Hub in Frankton, where people can rescue, repair, and rehome bicycles. 

Welcoming Week is part of Welcoming Communities | Te Waharoa ki ngā Hapori, a nationwide programme to support newcomers to feel welcome and able to participate in the economic, civic, cultural and social life of their new community.

Welcoming Week runs from Friday 5 September to Sunday 14 September. All events are free. A full calendar of activities is available at www.qldc.govt.nz/welcoming-week   

ENDS|KUA MUTU.

Media contact: communications@qldc.govt.nz or call 03 441 1802.