Recognising our accredited Welcoming Communities
Accreditation recognises councils and communities that create welcoming environments for newcomers.
Accreditation and the benefits
Becoming an accredited Welcoming Community shows a commitment to connecting newcomers and long-term residents of a community by creating opportunities for people to connect, participate and succeed.
Accreditation formally recognises that a council and community are achieving outcomes in the Welcoming Communities Standard for New Zealand. It recognises the work a community is doing to create a welcoming and inclusive environment. Maintaining accreditation shows a community's commitment and helps newcomers identify communities that are committed to inclusion.
Welcoming Communities – Te Waharoa ki ngā Hapori supports councils and their communities to create welcoming and inclusive environments for newcomers.
There are 35 councils involved in Welcoming Communities across Aotearoa… and more around the world.
There are 6 key benefits to being an accredited Welcoming Community…
1. Reputation as a welcoming community, attracting and retaining newcomers
2. Recognition and exposure at a regional, national and international level
3. A strategy and framework for progression and accountability.
4. Additional opportunities for shared learning
5. Increasing the impact of council initiatives for the whole community
6. The creation of collateral your council can use for other purposes to tell your community's story
The application process has been designed to be easy to support reflection, sharing impact stories and accountability.
Renewing and progressing keeps you focused and your community and future newcomers will thank you for it!
Contact the friendly team to discuss accreditation today! Email welcoming- communities@MBIE.govt.nz
Celebrating our 2026 accredited Welcoming Communities
Congratulations to Waimakariri District Council for gaining accreditation as a Committed Welcoming Community (stage 1).
Congratulations to the following councils for becoming Established Welcoming Communities (stage 2).
- Rotorua Lakes Council
- Porirua City Council
- Auckland City Council: Albert-Eden Local Board (Auckland City Council)
- Puketāpapa Local Board (Auckland City Council)
- Whau Local Board (Auckland City Council)
- Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board (Auckland City Council)
- Kaipātiki Local Board (Auckland City Council)
A total of 29 councils and 5 local boards participating in the programme have achieved accreditation under the 4 stages of accreditation: Committed, Established, Advanced and Excelling.
Accreditation as Committed Welcoming Communities – Stage 1
A Committed Welcoming Community commits the mayor, the council, its CEO and other community partners to participate in Welcoming Communities.
New Zealand’s Committed Welcoming Communities are now:
- Hurunui District Council
- RangitĪkei District Council
- Hastings District Council
- Tasman District Council
- Marlborough District Council
- Kaipara District Council
- Timaru District Council
- Masterton District Council
- Nelson City Council
- Napier City Council
- Upper Hutt City Council
- Waitaki District Council
- Whangārei District Council
- Hutt City Council
- Waimakariri District Council
Accreditation as Established Welcoming Communities – Stage 2
An Established Welcoming Community is clear about what it wants to achieve, has a Welcoming Plan and has started implementing activities. Governance, advisory, project management and monitoring arrangements are in place. The council has established partnerships with others in the community to promote and implement the programme.
New Zealand’s Established Welcoming Communities are:
- Gore District Council
- Invercargill City Council
- Southland District Council
- Western Bay of Plenty District Council
- Whanganui District Council
- Hamilton City Council
- Central Otago District Council
- Queenstown Lakes District Council
- Rotorua Lakes Council
- Porirua City Council
- Auckland City Council: Albert-Eden Local Board (Auckland City Council)
- Puketāpapa Local Board (Auckland City Council)
- Whau Local Board (Auckland City Council)
- Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board (Auckland City Council)
- Kaipātiki Local Board (Auckland City Council)
Accreditation as Advanced Welcoming Communities – Stage 3
An Advanced Welcoming Community is moving towards fully implementing its Welcoming Plan and the council and its community are confident about how to deliver successful welcoming activities and are trialling new and innovative activities. Outcomes are monitored and measured. Partnerships and collaboration are features of the council’s work programme.
New Zealand's Advanced Welcoming Communities are:
- Ashburton District Council
- Tauranga City Council
- Palmerston North City Council
More information
Email us for more information about the Welcoming Communities programme.