Our progress towards a Welcoming Plan

We met the requirements to be accredited as a Committed Welcoming Community on 9 February 2022, having signed a Statement of Commitment on Tuesday 2 November 2021.

This is stage one of four accreditation levels within the Welcoming Communities programme which include – Committed, Established, Advanced and Excelling.

Why become accredited?

Accreditation as a Welcoming Community has a range of benefits, including:

• showing community values and welcoming newcomers

• helping to attract, support and retain newcomers

• showing that council is part of an international welcoming network

• providing councils with access to ongoing support, resources, knowledge sharing and networking in New Zealand and overseas

• showcasing new and existing welcoming activities on a national and international stage

• providing a way to assess and reflect on progress and to improve welcoming practices

• celebrating success and a shared pride in positive outcomes for the community

• fostering conversations in the community around valuing inclusion and diversity

To achieve the next level of accreditation, we need to demonstrate we are meeting the sub-outcomes as part of the Standard’s eight elements. These elements guide the programme and help determine what creates a welcoming community. A Welcoming Communities External Accreditation Assessment Panel will also conduct a review and a site visit.