Waitaki Multicultural

Toyarama is on tomorrow from 10:00 am at 53 Thames Street!

There are lots of toys to choose from, and we popped in today to have a little sneak peek. 🎁🧸

A great opportunity to find some Christmas gifts at low-cost prices while supporting a local community.

All the best to the Rotary Club of Oamaru with your event tomorrow, and thank you for all your amazing work in our community!

Justyna Miller
WMC Community Connector

🌱 Community Classroom Spring 2026 at The Waitaki Community Gardens

What an amazing programme!

We’re excited to share the Community Classroom Spring 2026 programme, with 30 events focused on sustainable living, learning, creativity and connecting with our community.

There are lots of opportunities to learn something new, meet others and enjoy.

Whether you’re interested in gardening, sustainability, practical skills or simply getting involved in the local community, there’s something to explore.

Justyna Miller
WMC Community Connector
The Waitaki Community Gardens

Community Classroom Spring 2026 | Humanitix Community Classroom Spring 2026: Waitaki locals sharing their sustainable skills, knowledge and experience with their community!

Help us spread the word!

Do you know someone from a former refugee or migrant background who has skills, qualifications or professional experience but is finding it difficult to enter the New Zealand workforce?

HOST International Aotearoa New Zealand is excited to launch More Than Jobs: Pathways, Belonging & Careers, a new internship programme supporting people from former refugee and migrant backgrounds to turn their existing skills, qualifications and experience into meaningful career opportunities in Aotearoa New Zealand.

What can you gain from the programme?

• Gain New Zealand work experience through a career-aligned, unpaid volunteer internship with a local employer, typically lasting 6 weeks to 3 months.
• Build your professional networks through mentoring, workplace connections and networking opportunities.
• Strengthen your career prospects with tailored career planning, CV and job application support, and interview preparation.
• Navigate the New Zealand workplace with guidance on workplace expectations, employment rights and professional communication.
• Build confidence and take the next step with ongoing career coaching and support to help you work towards your employment goals.

Who can apply?

• More Than Jobs is open to eligible people from former refugee and migrant backgrounds who have the right to work in New Zealand and are looking to progress their careers.
• The programme is available in Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.

Applications now open!
Take the next step in your career!

Applications for the first round close on Monday 5 October 2026.

Find out more about the programme, eligibility and application process, and submit your application through our website.
https://www.hostinternational.org.nz/more-than-jobs

Looking for something to do during the school holidays?

Come along to the Waitaki Community Recreation Centre and enjoy some active fun with the family.

Play basketball, roller skate, kick a ball around, or have a go in the bouldering room.

Indoor court: $4 per person (one set of lights on). Bouldering room: $3.50 per child | $5.50 per adult

No booking is required — just turn up and enjoy!

For more information, contact the Rec Centre on 434 6932 or 021 081 50688.

Enjoy, stay active and have fun!

Justyna Miller
WMC Community Connector

Today, some of our families from the Family Connect group joined the Green by Nature team for a special tour of the Oamaru Public Gardens as part of their 150th anniversary celebrations. 🌿

Thank you for this amazing opportunity, especially for our new families, giving them a chance to discover more of Ōamaru, meet others and feel more connected to their new community.

And thank you to everyone who came along and joined us today. It was great to spend time together, learn something new and enjoy the beautiful gardens. 🌿

During the school holidays, the Oamaru Public Gardens will be hosting tours every Monday. More details are available on the flyer below.

We also learned from Sara and Carrie about the Waitaki Road Safety Biketober Scavenger Challenge 🚲 — look for the pictures of bikes with letters, collect the letters to create a word, and return your completed entry to the Waitaki District Libraries- Ōamaru Library for a chance to win a prize!

There are also lots of wonderful activities happening during the school holidays at the Forrester Gallery, Waitaki District Libraries-Ōamaru Library, Waitaki Museum and Waitaki Aquatic Centre

Check out the programme below and see what catches your interest.

Happy connecting, scavenger hunting, exploring and enjoying all the wonderful activities and beautiful places our community has to offer! 🌿

Justyna Miller
WMC Community Connector
Waitaki Road Safety Waitaki District Libraries Waitaki Aquatic Centre Forrester Gallery

Yesterday, the Oamaru Chinese Association hosted a wonderful Mid-Autumn Mooncake Festival at Fenwick School, bringing families and community members together to celebrate.

It was so lovely to see everyone, share delicious homemade food, connect with old friends and meet new people.

What a great community evening!

Sarah Liu and Song Chen introduced us to the Chinese rubbing technique and shared this beautiful art with the community.

So amazing to see everyone getting creative and having a go! Well done, everyone!

Thank you to everyone who came along, contributed, shared food and helped make the evening so special.

A big thank you and well done to the Oamaru Chinese Association team and everyone involved for putting together such a great event.

Justyna Miller
WMC Community Connector

Lots of great events coming up in October and November in The Waitaki Community Gardens Spring 2026 Community Classroom programme - register soon to avoid missing out (some events have a cost, some are free - details in the programme).

Community Classroom Spring 2026 | Humanitix Community Classroom Spring 2026: Waitaki locals sharing their sustainable skills, knowledge and experience with their community!

Reminder: this fantastic FREE online workshop "Making the most of your money" run by HOST International is on this evening - there is still time to register!

Tired of stressing about balancing your finances?

Ready to master practical budgeting skills and manage your money with total confidence?

Join our workshop to learn how to:
- Track your income and expenses effortlessly
- Plan ahead for regular bills, debt and costs
- Save smarter for your future goals
- Make confident financial decisions every day

Sign up today! Registration is essential as spaces are limited. Register at
https://events.humanitix.com/budgeting-in-nz-workshop

Date: Thursday, 24 September 2026
Time: 7:30pm – 8:30pm
Location: Online on Microsoft Teams (link sent once registered)

💰 Want to feel more confident about your money?

Join us for Making the Most of Your Money — a FREE online community workshop delivered in partnership with DLA Piper and Westpac.

Gain practical tools to take control of your finances, reduce money stress and feel more confident making everyday financial decisions. 🌱

📅 Thursday, 24 September 2026
⏰ 7.30pm – 8.30pm
💻 Online via Microsoft Teams

🌏 Free for individuals and communities from refugee and migrant backgrounds.

👉 Register now to secure your place: https://events.humanitix.com/budgeting-in-nz-workshop

Hello everyone,

This week is our last week of activities and programmes before we take a break for the school holidays and do some planning for next term.

A big thank you to everyone who has joined us, participated and contributed. Your support makes our programmes so special.

A special thank you to our wonderful volunteers Gemma at Family Connect, Greg and Sue from English Conversation Class, and Diane for bringing energy and fun to our Latin Dance Workout every Wednesday.

Thank you also to our amazing Wellbeing Programme artists – 旅する絵描き 栗谷さと子 / illustrator KURI, Sarka Cibulcova Art Art by Natalia Lopez, and to Pottery patch for hosting us.

We are also very grateful to our Family Connect guest speakers and community partners – North Otago Plunket nurses, Te Hā o Maru- Angelica Matapo, Forrester Gallery - Fiona Frew, Customs House Gallery, North Otago Art Society, and Waitaki District Libraries Oamaru Library – thank you for sharing your knowledge, spaces, creativity and support with our community.

A few snapshots from the past two weeks:

💃 Latin Dance Workout – celebrating Margitta’s birthday with lots of dancing and smiles!

☕ Family Connect – our Dunk It for Plunket fundraiser with tea, biscuits and great company.

📚 English Conversation Class – a few great weeks of learning, practising English and connecting with each other.

Thank you all for being part of our community. ❤️

Enjoy the school holidays and see you all from Monday, 12 th of October!

Justyna Miller
WMC Community Connector