After the June release of a Ministry of Social Development-funded report detailing the needs of the district's newcomers, a support centre with two part-time staff was set up at Abacus House, Oamaru.
Waitaki migrant support co-ordinator Liz Hay and Waitaki newcomers network co-ordinator Christine Dorsey, both of whose positions have been funded by the Ministry of Social Development, will on Mondays and Thursdays both be on hand to help residents new to the area.
Although the ministry's Settling in Waitaki Migrant Community Social Services Report was only about a month old, Mrs Hay said 40 people had already registered on the Waitaki newcomers database.
"We are still in the set-up phase at the moment. It's all about letting people know we are here.
"The need for this was clearly identified in the report. People clearly wanted a person to see and a place where they could get information.
"Hopefully we will be a one-stop shop and the first port of call to help newcomers access the information they need to access services in the community."
Mrs Hay said the new centre would provide a range of support services to people new to the area. She added that information was also available for both migrant workers as well as for migrant workers' employers.
A booklet, which would provide a guide for migrants and newcomers was also due to be released, she said.
Mrs Dorsey added that a coffee group had already been set up in Kurow to help newcomers mingle with locals, and further events would be organised to help people make "social connections" in the wider Waitaki community.
