Welcoming Communities

Waimakariri District Council is proud to be part of Welcoming Communities, a programme led by Immigration New Zealand that supports newcomers to feel included and have a sense of belonging in the economic, civic, cultural and social life of their new community.

We want everyone to feel welcome here and create a diverse and vibrant Waimakariri.

Waimakariri is a very fast-growing community with 1,600 new people moving here every year from outside the District, across New Zealand and overseas.

Ensuring everyone feels included and has a sense of belonging is vital for building a strong and resilient community. Communities that make newcomers feel welcome are also likely to enjoy better social outcomes and stronger economic growth.

Waimakariri has recently joined the programme and we need your help to understand what it’s like for newcomers to settle into our community. Follow the link below and take 10 minutes to complete the survey and share your thoughts and ideas. All of your responses are completely confidential.

If you’ve got a story to share as a newcomer, or someone who has welcomed new people to the District, we would also love to hear from you.

Have your say to help us make Waimakariri a place that everyone is proud to call home.