WE ARE INCOMMON!

Kia ora

We're live!

InCommon is a brand new initiative challenging Cantabrians to step outside of their comfort zone, forge new connections and celebrate our region’s diversity.

It encourages people to connect with others who they may initially consider are different to themselves. Even though we are all different, we also have things in common too.

We’re aiming to make people think twice about how they see the people around them, and start to think first about what they have in common, rather than focusing on the differences.

Later this year we'll be launching an online quiz, where Cantabrians can discover what they have in common with others, and what makes them unique.

From now you'll start seeing us on street posters, billboards and on social media. Please stay in touch and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. You can check out our website too! If you've got something to share, email us: Kiaora@Incommon.co.nz

Our differences make us unique, and we all have things in common.

He ira tangata. He ira rongomaiwhiti tāu.

Arohanui,

The team at InCommon (you can read about us here!)

GETTING THE CONVERSATION STARTED!

We'd love your help to share the word and encourage others towards new friendships.

Check out our Facebook and Instagram pages for awesome bits of encouragement, competitions and events.

If you are sharing on social media, it would mean a lot if you used the official hashtag #incommonnz

To make it easy to share our message you can also download posters, email signatures and social media tiles from our website. We reckon the posters would look great printed out at your workplace! 😉

BECOMING INCOMMON

We carried out research which found it’s the simple things that can make a real difference.

People told us that even something as simple as receiving a smile, having a chat or returning a friendly greeting went a long way towards making people feel welcome and strengthened their connection to their community.

As part of getting people to think twice about how they see the people around them, we developed a 25-question quiz which focussed on people’s interests, values, and preferences. Cantabrians from different culture and faith backgrounds took the quiz and were paired with people that they shared commonalities with.

It is photos of these pairs which can now be seen on street posters, billboards, in social media and in this newsletter!

OFFICIALLY LAUNCHING INCOMMON

After lots of discussions, debate and deliberation it's great to be able to share InCommon. It's something we are super proud of.

We were delighted to be joined by Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel at our launch last week. The Mayor spoke about the importance of sharing our stories, saying that a "seed of understanding" is planted every time we do.

"It is with understanding that we see that differences sometimes mask all that we have in common. And it is all that we have in common - our shared humanity - that brings us together in times of need."

Photos from our launch

ENJOYING COMMON GROUND IN MT SOMERS

We just love the story of Noraini Abbas-Milne and Peter Reveley, whose shared love of the outdoors is enabling young Muslim mothers and children to experience nature too.

You can read more about their story, and InCommon, on the Stuff website.

Photo credit: Stuff

FINALLY, WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE PIZZA TOPPING?

We asked a bunch of Cantabrians what theirs was and mushrooms came out on top!

What’s your favourite? Tell us on Facebook and you can go in the draw to win a $50 Spagalimis Pizzeria voucher to enjoy some pizza with mates!

Our differences make us unique, but we all have things InCommon too!