Southland's welcoming communities plan launched

Wednesday, 18 September 2019

A powhiri to welcome people onto the Murihiku Marae was the perfect way to launch a new plan to make migrant communities feel at home in Southland.

Following the powhiri Filipino, Colombian and Māori groups performed.

The Southland Murihiku Welcome Plan hopes to ensure there is community support for new migrants settling in. Southland is one of five places that are part of the pilot programme.

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Murihiku Marae Kaikorero Victor Manawatu says the powhiri is opportunity to show migrant communities how Māori are connected to the land that they live in.

He hopes migrant communities will embrace Southland culture including Te Ao Māori or Māoridom.​

Immigration New Zealand spokesman Fi McKay says Southland is already aware of the need for a migrant labour force and the need to welcome migrant communities.

Southland needs to increase its population and is good at getting the insights to make the plan work, McKay says.

The pilot focuses on host communities and how to educate hosts to incorporate different cultures into local government, decision making and becoming part of community groups. 

Great South chief executive Ann Lockhart says as Southland's population becomes more diverse it is important that Southlanders know how to welcome in diverse communities.

According to data from the 2013 census, Southlands population of 98,400 is made up of 89 per cent are European, 13 per cent are Māori, 2.1 per cent are Pacific peoples and 3.2 per cent Asian and 0.4 per cent middle eastern, Latin American, African.

Tauranga, Whanganui, Palmerston North and Ashburton are also involved in the pilot.