Let’s shape a welcoming future together

Published on 29 July 2025

As part of our journey through the Welcoming Communities programme, we've shared kōrero, laughter and powerful insights with an incredible cross-section of our Whangārei community: newcomers, migrants, residents, mana whenua, community organisations and key services.

Together, we are co-designing a vision anchored in the eight standards of the Welcoming Communities programme.

Welcoming Communities programme

At our workshop, Welcoming Plan Community Engagement Hui: Pou Wātea – Access, an engaged group tackled ideas around 'equitable access and welcoming public spaces'.

The workshop featured a fun navigation activity through Whangārei, highlighting important barriers that were pre-identified in our earlier Stocktake Report – linking experience with theory and solutions.

Welcoming Communities Stocktake Report July 2024(PDF, 1003KB) 

The Welcoming Communities programme is a three-year opportunity where we get to facilitate a Welcoming Plan for the District. It is funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) – Immigration New Zealand, in partnership with the Ministry for Ethnic Communities and the Human Rights Commission.