Jan Tinetti Labour MP

At the end of last year, Tauranga city leaders were asked about their wishes for our beautiful city for 2019.

I stated that my wish is for people to show kindness to each other, and that we continue to work together to ensure this region is the best place in New Zealand to live and thrive.

Our Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, has made it very clear that kindness is her focus too. She said she wanted this government to 'feel different” and be empathetic and kind. In her speech to the United Nations, she said kindness was the key to achieving peace, prosperity and fairness.

Late last year I met with a Tauranga business owner, and what started out as a conversation about work visas developed into a tearful conversation about the unkind comments levelled at her and her staff by customers.

Particularly hurtful were the negative comments about their ethnicity. The hurt that these comments cause, not only to the person they are levelled at but also to their family, cannot be underestimated. The hurt continues long after the comments have been made.

A greater understanding of different cultures is one way to bridge any perceived gap between us. The annual Multicultural Festival is on March 16 at Tauranga Historic Village, and I would encourage everyone to come along.

It's a wonderful day, a great way to engage with people from many different cultures and a celebration of Tauranga's rich diversity. The food is pretty fantastic too!