Responses from Brian Wilson

1.What is your vision for Gisborne in terms of cultural diversity? My vision is a city and district that celebrates the many different cultures that we now have. 2. The Ten Year Plan says GDC will support the development of cultural groups in the district, what kind of support do you think GDC should provide to the Tairāwhiti Multicultural Council? One of the requirements for GDC is to consult with our community. We have become better at that and now actively engage community groups such as Etu Elgin and Kapai Kati. A concern for ethnic minority groups is disenfranchisement. To counter that the Tairawhiti Multicultural Council could become the conduit for GDC engagement with these minority groups. 3. What regular interaction do you have with groups of people from cultural backgrounds different to your own? As I have been to many different countries I value the diversity of the world’s people. I am married to a Czech national, have many friends that are Maori and have other friends that include British, Indian, Dutch, South African, Vietnamese, Indonesian,Canadian,Italian and others. 4. What, if any, common challenges are you aware of for local residents from ethnic minority groups? The obvious common challenge is acceptance of the different cultures. While I myself totally embrace other cultures, this may not be so with others. GDC in all its dealing with these groups should lead by example. I have attended a number of citizenship ceremonies and am always proud how new citizens are given a warm welcome. In all our dealings the Council should promote the concept of tolerance and friendship no matter what a person’s ethnic origins. 5. What are the biggest opportunities you see for attracting new immigrants and refugees to Gisborne? To attract new people may be done most efficiently through contacts with those already here. However I do not advocate a wholesale promotion to bring in large numbers at this time. This region has many challenges including high unemployment and low social economic statistics. If no jobs are available for new immigrants it would seem a futile exercise at the moment.