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