MEDIA RELEASE

28 February 2014

International communities ‘adopt a councillor’

The new Napier City Council has been officially sworn in – now it’s time for an inauguration of a different kind.

On Monday, March 3, many councillors will be “adopted” by a different international community living in Napier, as part of the Settlement Support Hawke’s Bay event ‘Napier’s DiverCity Celebration’. Chief Executive Wayne Jack, and Mayor Bill Dalton will also attend.

Those taking part will don traditional costumes from countries including Asia, Pacific, Europe, Africa, Middle East and the USA, and will be taught a basic greeting in their respective languages. They will also enjoy traditional food and performances from their adoptive countries.

“This is a great way to show our support for the different international communities that call Napier home,” Napier Mayor Bill Dalton says. “Of course we’ll be giving them a taste of New Zealand culture too. They’ll get the chance to taste some Maori food and one of the performances will be from a Kapa Haka group.”

Approximately 70 people are expected to attend the third annual event and Settlement Support Hawke’s Bay Coordinator, Renske Speekenbrink says it is a great way for councillors to meet some of the community’s international citizens and hear their amazing stories about how they came to live in Napier.

“We have such diverse communities in Napier,” Ms Speekenbrink says. “This is a wonderful event bringing so many different cultures together under one roof.”

ENDS

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