Cultural Diversity in the Western Bay

Western Bay of Plenty District Council is welcoming migrants to the Bay of Plenty and to New Zealand, and is committed to seeing migrants settled and integrated successfully into their new lives in the Bay.

We are committed to embracing the District's cultural diversity and to build and strengthen a cohesive and culturally connected community.

Snapshot of Western Bay of Plenty District's cultural diversity

• 18.5% of Western Bay of Plenty District's population were born overseas.
• 81.9% of people belong to the European ethnic group
• 18.2% of the population identify as Māori
• 2.4% of the population identify as Pacific Peoples
• 5.1% of the population identify as Asian

Proportion of new migrants coming to the Bay of Plenty

• 45% Asia
• 20% UK and Ireland
• 10% Australia

Top languages spoken: French, German, Punjabi, Hindi, Samoan and Tongan

*Source: Census 2013

Welcoming communities - Te waharoa ki ngā hapori

Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council are taking part in a two-year pilot programme called Welcoming Communities. The programme recognises that a strong and vibrant community is one that enables all of its members to participate in its economic, civic and social life, and where everyone feels included and has a sense of belonging and opportunities to succeed.

Read more about the Welcoming Communities programme here: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/what-we-do/welcoming-communities

Western Bay of Plenty Welcoming Plan 2018-2023

The New Zealand Welcoming Communities Standard provides a benchmark for what a successful welcoming community looks like.

We have developed our Western Bay of Plenty Welcoming Plan in which the council and community partner to deliver welcoming initiatives: select this link to read the Plan (PDF, 1.20MB)

Welcoming Communities Action Plan (2018 - 2020) (PDF, 3.62MB)

For more information please contact: Community Development Advisor: Welcoming Communities at haidee.kalirai@tauranga.govt.nz

Resources

Multilingual 'Hello' Posters (PDF, 1.17MB)

Welcoming Newcomers - practical tips poster (PDF, 118KB)

Related Links:

NZ Now - your guide to living and working in NZ.

Citizens Advice Bureau (Migrant Connect) - independent, confidential and free information and advocacy service.

Multicultural Tauranga - offers settlement support services, including operating the Bay of Plenty Interpreting Service and organising a number of multicultural events.

InfoNOWin - your language - is a free multi-lingual telephone information service providing information to migrants settling in New Zealand, in their preferred language.

Volunteering Bay of Plenty - volunteer with a community organisation in your area.

The Office of Ethnic Communities - telephone interpreting, community directory, events etc.

Ezispeak - telephone interpreting service.

Human Rights Commission - promotion and protection of the human rights of all people in Aotearoa New Zealand. Advocating for a free, fair, safe and just New Zealand, where diversity is valued and human dignity and rights are respected.