InCommon is a campaign developed in response to the Christchurch Mosque attacks. It playfully nudges people to examine their thoughts and beliefs about others who, at first glance seem different to them, and focus on the common things we share.

Waimakariri District Council and InCommon are excited to invite the community to the launch this project on Thursday 3 August at the Woodend Community Centre starting at 5.30pm. Please RSVP to community@wmk.govt.nz by Thursday 27 July.

Shortly after this, posters will be displayed in prominent areas around town centres across the District. Businesses are also encouraged to display these in their shop windows too.

Community Development Facilitator Martin Pugh says the Council supports the kaupapa (principle) of the project and have been working with migrant support group Global Locals of Waimakariri (GLOW), Waimakariri Access Group and others to localise the campaign.

“We were inspired by seeing the campaign in Christchurch and thought we could localise this to Waimakariri. We want to show the connections that we have across our differences, across cultural barriers, across disability and accessibility issues, across age and stages of life.

“The campaign playfully juxtaposes visual differences with the things people have in common. It acts as a reminder that our differences are often only skin deep,” says Martin.

“As a District. Waimakariri is becoming more diverse every year and we want to celebrate our growing diversity. It’s been great to work with community members and put together a great campaign specific to Waimakariri involving our migrant and other smaller communities.”