Welcome to our slice of paradise

New Zealand is one of the world's most diverse countries. Here, in the Gore District, we are no different.

We have 45 different ethnicities – people who call the District home - and starting this Friday (6 September), we will be celebrating our diversity as part of national Welcoming Week.

Community Development Team Lead Guillaume Willemse said Welcoming Week was a chance to show whanaungatanga, the importance of relationships, and manaakitanga, the value of extending hospitality and caring for others.

He encouraged people to introduce themselves to newcomers they may see around town and welcome them to the community.

To start Welcoming Week celebrations, pop into the Gore Library this Friday to pin your country of origin on a large world map. Similar maps will celebrate cultural diversity at St Mary’s Primary School and Maruawai College.

Welcoming Spring Picnic

This Saturday (7 September), newcomers and locals are invited to a spring picnic from 11:00am to 2:00pm at the Hokonui Pioneer Village and Museum. There will be a light lunch, a guided tour of the museum, and a talk about volunteering for newcomers.

New Zealand Police Ethnic Peoples Community Officer Gee Gasprin will be on hand to talk about the support available to newcomers and a career in the NZ Police.

Celebrating the cultural diversity among our young people is a feature of Gore’s celebrations. On Monday Gore District Mayor Ben Bell, accompanied by Mr Willemse, will visit St Mary’s school and Maruawai junior campus, who are supporting Welcoming Week with a cultural costume day and potluck morning tea.

Other events planned are:

Wednesday 11 September - Gore Library: Potluck cultural food and newcomers meet and greet from 12 noon to 2:00pm

Thursday 12 September - Gore Visitor Centre - Hokonui Moonshine Museum walkthrough at 11:00am

Friday 13 September - Citizenship Ceremony, in the Council chambers at 2:00pm

Saturday 14 September - Newcomer visit to the Eastern Southland Gallery at 10:00am