New Plymouth District Council (NPDC) Mayoral candidates answers

In order they were received. Neil Holdom did not respond

1. How would you work to create a NPDC and community environment that is welcoming,
inclusive and increasingly diverse?
Tongaawhikau: My first hope would be that the people of the New Plymouth District vote
for a diverse range of individuals onto council as that is where it must begin. Working to
create a community that is welcoming and inclusive was one of the core purposes I
created and delivered the annual Taranaki Puanga festival held in Waitara over 12 years
ago and continue to develop it and drive it each year as it is about celebrating who we are
now, being comfortable and normalising different cultures and show casing what we have
to offer.
Dodunski: I am passionate about, and determined to, re-establish meaningful and positive
connections within all sectors of our community. If there's one thing I've learned during my
years in both Council and the volunteer sector, it's that absolutely anything's achievable
when the community works together. As Mayor I'll always accentuate the positive and, in
everything I do, I'll always ask myself a simple question. How will this benefit our District?
Handley: Council has a responsibility to respond to our community we will listen and
respond. New Plymouth has a reputation of being welcoming and inclusive and is
increasingly diverse.
Simpson: I am wanting the community to take me on their journey and assist us to make
the journey together, this is about your vision my commitment and our future. I am
committed to your vision so that the community environment is welcoming, inclusive and in
time increasingly diverse

2. How do you function and communicate effectively and respectfully within the context of
varying beliefs, behaviours, and backgrounds?
Tongaawhikau: Treat others the way you want to be treated, I act with integrity and
respect, the concepts of *manaakitanga and **whanaungatanga are at the core of my
being. Acknowledging these differences, embracing the common ground and moving
forward together as one is key to fully benefiting from our diverse scope of people.
*Manaakitanga: hospitality, kindness, generosity, support - the process of showing respect,
generosity and care for others. **Whanaungatanga: relationship, kinship, sense of family
connection - a relationship through shared experiences and working together which
provides people with a sense of belonging. It develops as a result of kinship rights and
obligations, which also serve to strengthen each member of the kin group. It also extends
to others to whom one develops a close familial, friendship or reciprocal relationship
Dodunski: I am very comfortable that the value I bring to any situation is my ability to be a
good listener and from my years in leadership roles I have developed the ability to
facilitate conversations so that everyone is able to feel comfortable to offer their
comments.

Handley: For 7 years I was the General Manager of the NZ Human rights commission. I
understand, respect and communicate easily within a diverse community.
Simpson: Communication is most effective tool a person possesses my methodology is
preferred through face to face conversation and dialogue with clear outcomes. If you have
an issue lets us know but also come with a solution to the issue and let us work together to
have matter resolved. It does not matter about beliefs, behaviour or background it is about
resolving the issue as a community.

3. What opportunities have you had in a Maori context, engaging in their culture,
expressions and cultural traditions?
Tongaawhikau: Growing up in Auckland I had very little exposure to Maori culture.
however; when I returned home to Taranaki some 20 years ago after experiencing the
positive influences of our culture I plunged head first and fully embraced my heritage,
starting with the revitalisation of my fathers Pa and Hapu based in South Taranaki. I have
been the Chairman of these boards for many years and continue to this day creating
initiatives and holding traditional events at our Marae to give others the opportunity to
experience manaakitanga and whanaungatanga. I speak Maori fluently and my own
business is centred around Maori language, art and traditions. These are teachings I
deliver to numerous schools, organisations and individuals across Taranaki within
Mainstream and Maori environments.
Dodunski: I have attended numerous meetings, training sessions, workshops and had
personal conversations with many Maori people. I am respectful of Maori culture and have
enjoyed many day's on different Marae. I have attempted several times to undertake
training to learn Te Reo but have to confess that I have never managed to master a
second language.
Handley: I grew up in a rural family with many contacts and relationships with Maori and
with visits to local Pakaraka marae. As GM of the Human Rights Commission I accepted
partnership as the standard relationship. I have spoken on the pae pae of Ngati Whatua,
Auckland and stayed on the marae. I continue to maintain good relationships with Taranaki
Iwi.
Simpson: I am Mori, pacific islander (Rarotongan Tahitian) and Pakeha. I am just on the
road to learning the Mori language at WITT as I have never had the opportunity before. I
am doing this with a group of all cultures and we are just the best. I spend a lot of my time
engaged with Mori every day on the Marae, clubs, bars, on the street, in schools.

4. What is your definition of diversity? How do you encourage people to honour the
uniqueness of each individual? How do you challenge stereotypes and promote sensitivity
and inclusion?
Tongaawhikau: Diversity - The art of thinking independently together. I truly believe that by
embracing and valuing people, recognising that people with different backgrounds, skills,
attitudes and experiences bring fresh ideas and perspectives to old problems. We need to
encourage and harness these differences to make the council more relevant and
approachable to the wider public they are representing. A diverse body of people can offer
a wider perspective in virtually any situation making the most of our resources and
enriching residents lives.
Dodunski: It is recognising everyone is unique and that everyone has the right to be seen,
heard and listened to. I have a welcoming and compassionate nature and love working
with anyone and everyone but I can assure you that if someone is showing disrespect to
anyone in my presence I would never be afraid to step in and offer support.
Handley: Diversity is everyone together . I lead by example
Simpson: The definition of diversity in is be your own self. Stop allowing others to
determine who you are thats is how you honour the uniqueness of each individual. Lets
be clear is there a need to challenge stereotypes and promote sensitivity and
inclusiveness. As I said earlier what is your vison as a community that is what challenges
the individual to conform or not.
5. Political correctness is a phrase that is thrown around a lot. But at its essence its about
respecting all people (***see note below). Stop being PC, is a way of shutting down
dialogue. When was a time when you put your neck on the line to be PC in respect of a
person, culture or issue?
Tongaawhikau: Understanding that the World is not one size fits all plays a big part in
being PC. I have my own thoughts and opinions, but in order to delivery my message
effectively without diluting its essence lies in my ability to relate with the people I am
speaking to. A recent example has been during my campaign talks with community groups,
especially when I am targeted for my opinion in regards to Maori wards. I found that a little
research into the community you are communicating with and entering a discussion with
insight on how a particular topic is perceived can go a long way to ensuring you are able to
delivery your answer/opinion in a way that is more palatable. People are less likely to shut
down to what you are saying and that they are more open to hearing a differing opinion.
Really trying to see things through their eyes and then allowing them to do the same,
creating an empathetic atmosphere is my approach to this particular situation.
Dodunski: I supported the proposal to establish a Maori Ward. I was disappointed in the
final outcome of this debate as personally I saw it as a simple extension of our present
Ward System and a positive way to see an Elected Maori Representative become part of
our overall Council structure.
Handley: I took business card sized National Anthem in reo and distributed them to the
Eden Park crowd and watched the reactions from acceptance to anger! This was before
it was put on the screen. Weve moved somewhat on singing it in reo.

Simpson: I am not sure I put my neck out at all. I just speak to people and others around
me what I believe is what I see and in most cases it is not the norm. There is a time and
place to do things but people must be able to speak and to be heard and listened to this is
a failing of our current council. This PC stuff in my view is made up by bureaucrats that
want to control and divide the situation and people. Respect is a better word.

***Political Correctness: Political, the word comes from the root word polis (greek) which
means city. A city is a dense population of people where it is important for those people to
get along and live in harmony. Being politically correct is simply not using offensive words
that detract from the relationship that is important for us all to exist together. It does not
mean that you cannot have an opinion. It does not mean that you cannot state that
opinion. It simply means that you use words that promote harmony of the group even in
the face of disagreement. Being PC means showing compassion, understanding and
acceptance of all cultures, creeds, sexes, orientations