"Our Community and Social Development team have put a huge amount of effort into building up and maintaining positive, genuine connections with different ethnic communities in Hamilton and providing migrants with tools and resources to help them settle into their new home," Naidoo-Rauf said.
In April this year, the council launched a Welcoming Plan and signed a commitment and also approved a budget of $75,000 through the (2022/23) Annual Plan to support community groups in delivering the Welcoming Plan.
The funding is aimed at supporting new welcoming initiatives over and above what is already being provided.
About becoming an accredited Welcoming Community, Naidoo-Rauf said: "There are so many diverse and interesting communities in Hamilton, and this step towards being a fully recognised Welcoming Community is an exciting milestone and vital step to make sure Hamilton Kirikiriroa continues thriving far into the future."
Mayor Paula Southgate said she was delighted the city's plan has been recognised at a national level.
"I really look forward to continuing this work," Southgate said.
Hamilton Kirikiriroa has an incredibly diverse community already, with more than 160 ethnicities represented.
According to the latest census data, more than 46,000 Hamiltonians were born overseas. This is more than 27 per cent of the city's population.
The city has been a resettlement centre for refugees since 2005 and around 1300 of them now call Hamilton home.
