New Migrants Get Guided Tour of New Hometown

After a successful pilot in May, Hastings District Council and Settlement Support are giving more recent arrivals the chance to tour Hastings District.

The tour takes up to 35 migrants around the area by bus on Saturday, November 27, to give them a taste of the great places to visit within Hastings, Havelock North and Flaxmere, and an idea of the council services available.

During the tour, Hastings District Council and Settlement Support Hawke’s Bay staff will advise migrants of services they can access in the district and how they can settle into life here, topped off by a slice of Hastings history from local historian Michael Fowler.

Migrants will join Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule and enjoy afternoon tea at the Hawke’s Bay Opera House.

“We had great feedback from migrants who attended the last tour. Not only did they enjoy seeing parts of their new home they may not otherwise but it gave them a chance to meet each other and make contacts in their new community,” Mayor Yule says.

“By easing the transition into their new lives we help encourage more migrants to Hastings who contribute hugely to our economy through the skills they bring, the money they spend and the different experiences they share with those of us who have grown up here.

The tour is not only open to people who have moved to New Zealand from overseas but those who have come from slightly closer to home. Aucklanders, South Islanders, people from other provinces – we welcome anyone who has made the decision to share our fantastic weather, beautiful scenery, great schools and laid-back lifestyle,” he says.  

Settlement Support Hawke's Bay Coordinator Nina Siers says meeting the mayor of your new town is something special for new migrants.

“What better welcome for people who have left their homes and families to come and start a new life in Hastings than to meet the mayor?" Ms Siers.

To register for the tour please contact Settlement Support Hawke’s Bay on 835 2723 or email Ms Siers on ninas@napier.govt.nz. Anyone needing information or settlement advice can visit Settlement Support at Havelock Library on Tuesdays between 10am-12noon or at Hastings Library on Tuesdays between 1pm-4pm.