New faces and friends: Mayor Phil Mauger
Giving a big welcome to the new cohort of international students choosing Christchurch.
One of the best parts of my job as Mayor is getting the chance to welcome newcomers to this fantastic city of ours.
Christchurch is resilient, diverse and has a strong sense of community so it’s vital that when people arrive here they feel valued and included.
These new people bring with them new perspectives, languages, cultures and experiences and those contributions help shape a more vibrant, diverse and connected community.
Part of this is that each year I get the pleasure of being part of the welcoming the new cohort of secondary and tertiary international students at Ngā Hua e Whā National Marae.
This event, which is an annual highlight on my calendar, really showcases the multicultural character of Christchurch as we continue to attract people from around the world who choose to study, work and build their lives here.
By choosing Christchurch, Canterbury and New Zealand as part of their journey, these students are enriching local classrooms, workplaces and neighbourhoods. We have all seen that the city is becoming a place where young people can carve out their own path and distinguish themselves through their talents and determination.
It’s an important part of what is making Christchurch flourish. Whether visitors are here for a few months or several years, the friendships they build, the experiences they share and the contributions they make leave a lasting mark on our city.
