Responses from Trevor Helson

1.What is your vision for Gisborne in terms of cultural diversity?I have no specific view or vision but I would welcome with open arms people from all nations into our community on the understanding that they are genuinely wanting to become part of the community themselves. I think they add much to our community and bring some wonderful ideas. 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?The GDC already gives support to many groups, one of which I am a trustee for and was the chair, is the Safe Tairawhiti Community Trust. The Tairawhiti Multicultural Council can work with groups such as this or if properly organised receive assistance directly. I see from your web site that one of your objectives is to work with GDC to provide a safer community for your people. The STCT would be an ideal vehicle for achieving that. The GDC is always willing to receive deputations with good ideas that contribute to the overall benefit of the community. It doesn’t have a lot of money to dish out but often that is not what is needed, support can be given in many ways. 3. What regular interaction do you have with groups of people from cultural backgrounds different to your own? I really don’t take much notice of what the ethnicity is of the people I interact with. They are all people and I just get on with working within the community. I lived in Singapore for many years, spent time in India, Hong Kong etc. so am very aware of some of the cultural differences. It is human nature to like some people you meet and to not be so keen on others. For me where they come from is irrelevant, in fact I sometimes am in awe of people who have for whatever reason given up everything and moved to a new country. That is a brave step and I have to admire people who can do it. 4. What, if any, common challenges are you aware of for local residents from ethnic minority groups? The Gisborne region is not doing well economically, that makes it hard for any new people who are making a new start irrespective of where they come from, whether that be Christchurch or Mumbai. I have not detected any overt racialism but I would be silly to think it doesn’t exist. Personally I don’t have that as a problem but I do know people who are biased and I think they are the losers for it. 5. What are the biggest opportunities you see for attracting new immigrants and refugees to Gisborne? This is very difficult, on the one hand we are competing with Auckland for getting people to settle here and we don’t have all that many jobs to offer. We have a great environment but that is not enough on its own. There has to be an economic basis otherwise new comers will not do well. What I do believe is that the District Council needs to make it easier for businesses to operate, this is not new businesses, it is the existing ones. If there were more certainty then companies will be more willing to take on more staff. Immigrants who bring skills could well benefit from that.