Responses from Katie Tamanui-Thomas

1.What is your vision for Gisborne in terms of cultural diversity? I believe we should take advantage of and celebrate the cultural diversity of our community. Promoting tolerance, open mindedness, respect for differences and other peoples’ values is the responsibility of all groups. By creating more opportunities to learn about people from other cultures and to help connect the diverse communities together, I believe, will result in better social cohesion. While this might be my vision for Gisborne in terms of cultural diversity, I think the real question should be, “what is your vision, the vision of the Tairawhiti Multicultural Council, for cultural diversity in this region. Once that vision is realised then it’s about how we work together to create the physical manifestation of that. 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? I believe that central and local governments have an important and influencing role to help establish or facilitate a framework to aid social cohesion. Working together rather than in isolation should be the ideal way moving forward. That might mean putting together an advisory body to promote open discussions about the kind of support that the Tairawhiti Multicultural Council might seek from the City Councillors. Action begins with open and frank dialogue kanohi ki te kanohi (face to face) interactions. 3. What regular interaction do you have with groups of people from cultural backgrounds different to your own? In 2001 we lived in Rarotonga where I was employed as a teacher at Titikaveka College and my husband was one of the accountants at the Rarotongan Beach and Spa Resort. This was an easy transition for us with language, food and living conditions very similar to Aotearoa/New Zealand. The opposite was experienced, however, while living in Northern Thailand where the language barrier prevented us from fully participating in the community outside of the International School. It was difficult to complete simple tasks like shopping, ordering in restaurants and finding our way around the city. However, the excitement of experiencing new and different cultures didn’t stop us from travelling through most of Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Singapore. We have visited Australia and Fiji and recently returned from a 10 day holiday in Bali. We also own a motel so we are interacting with the different cultures that venture through our doors. . 4. What, if any, common challenges are you aware of for local residents from ethnic minority groups? I think the language barrier and kiwi culture are challenging factors that can make settlement in Aotearoa/New Zealand very difficult. Racism and discrimination, while not talked about openly, is a systemic issue and highlighted only when the media brings it to our attention. Meanwhile many cases of racism and discrimination are probably taken in silence. The price of mainstream acceptance in Aotearoa/New Zealand for our minority groups is a high one. For example I have heard of cases where a person has the experience and qualifications to do the job effectively but they are still required to prove themselves. I think the worst situation that any person can face is having assimilation forced upon them and being made to feel that they had no other choice but to give up their culture in order to be accepted into mainstream. This is absolutely unacceptable. 5. What are the biggest opportunities you see for attracting new immigrants and refugees to Gisborne? The future for a sustainable and vibrant Gisborne lies in attracting people to our district. In a recent presentation made to a Council conference, it was stated that many of the smaller districts would not survive once the baby boomer cohort retired. This would leave a dwindling population that would not be able to sustain the rates required to service this area. The stress on Councils to future proof their community was stated so I believe that the opportunities to attract new immigrants to sustain our communities is a real option. Thank you for the opportunity to present some of my ideas regarding multiculturalism in Gisborne. Naku noa Katie Tamanui-Thomas Standing for Council and the Hospital Board Supported by Accommodation Ahi Kaa 61 Salisbury Road Gisborne www.ahikaa.co.nz 06 8677107 Email info@ahikaa.co.nz