Responses from Selwyn Parata

1.What is your vision for Gisborne in terms of cultural diversity?!!!To be proud of our rich cultural heritage and uniqueness while celebrating our diversity. Gisborne and Tairawhiti people value their own culture and heritage and respect the culture and heritage of others . Cultural acceptance and tolerance is the norm in Tairawhiti. 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 Tairawhiti Multicultural Council? We need to support events that enable people to practice and affirm their own culture and heritage and provide opportunities for other cultural groups to participate and learn. Two very practical improvements that we could make would be to; i. create an Annual Gisborne and District Events Calendar, that highlights and promotes a range of cultural and ethnic events, in the way that the Wine & Food Festival is promoted and highlighted. ii. Eastland Tourism and the proposed Tairawhiti Economic Development Agency take proactive steps to inform themselves of the range of cultural events that occur throughout the year and work with organisations such as the Tairawhiti Cultural Development Trust and the Tairawhiti Multi-Cultural Council to promote these events and attract funding 3. What regular interaction do you have with groups of people from cultural backgrounds different to your own? As a member of the Tairawhiti Cultural Development Trust I have an intimate understanding and knowledge of the aspirations and challenges that face cultural groups seeking to promote themselves and their culture in Tairawhiti. As an active Iwi Leader and as the Chairperson of Te Matatini (the National Maori Performing Arts Committee), I regularly attend regional, national and international cultural exchanges and events that provide me with exposure to different cultures and ethnic groups. My general awareness and appreciation for the relevance of cultural protocols and etiquette ensures that I prepare myself appropriately for these occasions and therein I am able to behave appropriately and respectful in all such situations. 4. What, if any, common challenges are you aware of for local residents from ethnic minority groups? As a member of a minority group, albeit that we are the indigenous people of this country, that has endured over many generations personal and institutional racism and attempts to undermine our culture and language, I would think that ethnic minority groups in Tairawhiti would and do face similar challenges 5. What are the biggest opportunities you see for attracting new immigrants and refugees to Gisborne? The main attractions for new immigrants and refugees to Gisborne are family, work and lifestyle. Noho ora mai, Selwyn Tanetoa Parata