![\"Summer](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/4JVMY23_MD2023_37_jpg.jpeg\")
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\nSummer brings Whang\u0101rei’s migrant communities together.
\nPhoto: Supplied \/ Multicultural Whang\u0101rei\n<\/p>\n
Summer is when belonging becomes real for Whang\u0101rei’s migrant community.<\/p>\n
About 800 new migrants from more than 45 countries have settled in Whang\u0101rei this year.<\/p>\n
Multi Ethnic Collective Whang\u0101rei chairman Ralph Correa said summer in Whang\u0101rei gave new migrants a sense of belonging.<\/p>\n
“Many migrants say that summer is the season when Whang\u0101rei truly feels like ‘home’.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“Beaches, parks, outdoor events and barbecues make it easier to meet people and build friendships.”<\/p>\n
The Multi Ethnic Collective is a group including the police, immigration services, Ministry of Ethnic Affairs, and Whang\u0101rei District Council-supported Multicultural Whang\u0101rei.<\/p>\n
Migrants come from across the globe, including India, China, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Fiji, South Africa, Brazil, United Kingdom, Ireland, Europe, Russia, Afghanistan, and several Pacific Island nations.<\/p>\n
Correa said summer in many migrants’ home countries was extremely hot, crowded and busy. Public spaces were often full, and cities could feel overwhelming.<\/p>\n
In contrast, migrants found summer in Whang\u0101rei to be calmer and the environment cleaner.<\/p>\n
![\"Whang\u0101rei's](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/4JVMY23_IMG_4332_jpg.jpeg\")
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\nWhang\u0101rei’s Multi Ethnic Collective chairman Ralph Correa.
\nPhoto: LDR \/ Susan Botting\n<\/p>\n
Access to nature’s beaches, forests and waterfalls was easier, he said.<\/p>\n
“The pace of life is different – more relaxed, with more space to breathe.”<\/p>\n
Correa said Whang\u0101rei brought a strong sense of safety, especially for children, and showed the best of Kiwi life.<\/p>\n
Migrants celebrated Christmas in a variety of ways.<\/p>\n
“Many participate through faith, fun or simply embracing Kiwi BBQ culture,” Correa said.<\/p>\n
“The long days make Whang\u0101rei a perfect setting for families with young children to come together and have fun in the park or at the beach, or even a bit of dance and yoga.”<\/p>\n
Correa said a Whang\u0101rei Kiwi Christmas often meant blending celebrations from New Zealand and from migrants’ home countries, such as the sharing of vegetarian food and Bollywood, or a braai and African music.<\/p>\n
New Year celebrations often meant fireworks and gatherings. Many migrants later celebrated a second cultural New Year from their homeland.<\/p>\n
Correa said summer in Whang\u0101rei often meant a focus on sport, which was an important cultural bridge.<\/p>\n
Sport was often the first place migrants felt included.<\/p>\n
He said the Kiwi summer tradition of backyard cricket blended with those from countries such as India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, where cricket dominated this time of year. Sport was a major part of social life. Life literally stopped during big matches.<\/p>\n
Correa said Whang\u0101rei’s Kensington Cricket Club, made up of predominantly migrants, was an example of sport being a key community connection point.<\/p>\n
He said there was huge space for sporting talent to grow in Whang\u0101rei.<\/p>\n
Correa said migrants consistently talked about Whang\u0101rei people being warm, approachable and open.<\/p>\n
Migrants, in particular students, chose Whang\u0101rei because it was safe, friendly and personal, he said. People felt noticed, supported and included.<\/p>\n
“Schools, churches, marae, clubs and neighbours all contribute to a sense of care,” Correa said.<\/p>\n
He said many migrants highlighted the manaakitanga from M\u0101ori communities.<\/p>\n
“Tangata whenua share tikanga, stories and support – helping newcomers feel grounded and respected. This partnership is one of Whang\u0101rei’s greatest strengths.<\/p>\n
“No place could replace home, but Whang\u0101rei’s friendly community made it a home away from home.”<\/p>\n
New migrants could meet others from their home countries at events such as Diwali.<\/p>\n
Correa said Whang\u0101rei’s migrants worked in a range of jobs and careers – typically healthcare, trades, education, hospitality, IT, logistics, retail and community services.<\/p>\n
Many operated small businesses.<\/p>\n
About 150 Whang\u0101rei migrants became New Zealand citizens each year.<\/p>\n
Correa said community groups, including the Multi Ethnic Collective, Multicultural Whang\u0101rei and the Whang\u0101rei District Council-led Welcoming Communities programme, supported by the Northland India Association and Kensington Cricket Club, played an important part in welcoming new migrants.<\/p>\n
“Without their collective effort, many newcomers would be left to navigate their challenges and wellbeing needs alone,” he said.<\/p>\n
“Instead, people arrive to a city where support is real, connections form quickly and belonging grows naturally.”<\/p>\n
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Summer brings Whang\u0101rei’s migrant communities together. Photo: Supplied \/ Multicultural Whang\u0101rei Summer is when belonging becomes real for…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":207544,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[48,47,111,43,139,69,49,46,44,45,213],"class_list":{"0":"post-207543","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports","8":"tag-audio","9":"tag-current-affairs","10":"tag-new-zealand","11":"tag-news","12":"tag-newzealand","13":"tag-nz","14":"tag-podcasts","15":"tag-public-radio","16":"tag-radio-new-zealand","17":"tag-rnz","18":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/207543","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=207543"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/207543\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/207544"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=207543"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=207543"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=207543"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}