10 Questions: Tommy Kapai Wilson

Tommy Kapai Wilson.

Our Newsmaker this week is Te Tuinga Whanau Support Service director and Bay of Plenty Times columnist Tommy Kapai Wilson, who this week questioned Tauranga City Council's move to remove a cap on new alcohol outlets.

1 Describe yourself in three words.

"Fat, funny, forgiving."

2 What, in your opinion, is the Western Bay's best kept secret?

"Huharua Park at the end of Plummers Point Road, it's an old pa site brought back to life - check it out, and on the way home stop at the 100-year-old Catholic Church in Te Puna. It's the cutest church on the planet. Good for the eyes, great for the soul."

3 What is your personal favourite children's book of all time, and why?

"Kapai's New Mates, it's based on the legend of Mauao. We all need the morning light to shine on us, especially our tamariki."

4 When are you at your happiest?

"When I download my joychip that contains the faces of those I have made happy with a smile, a song or a story."

5 What whakatauke (Maori proverb) do you strive to live by and why?

"People before profit. He tangata, he tangata, he tangata (the people, the people, the people)."

6 If you could wangle a selfie with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?

"Tariana Turia, she walks her talk with soft shoes and a warm heart for Maori. A true leader like the other greats in my lifetime - Mandela, Mahatma and Martin Luther King."

7 What do you think is the biggest misconception about Maori support services?

"We are about people and potential and giving hope to the lost and lonely, not just about food parcels and finding funding to keep our doors open. Te Tuinga Support Services is a whare for whanau who need help not hand outs."

8 What attracts you to the role?

"My role as CIO (Chief Imagination Officer) of Te Tuinga allows me the privilege of turning dreams into reality. The currency we measure success in for me should be a lot more about 'hands that serve are holier than lips that pray'. I get to serve every day."

9 Do you have any party tricks? (or something not many people know about you?)

"I have been a competitive frisbee thrower for 40 years and I can belt out a bit of Janis Joplin blues when I feel the need. My party trick is I can have a hell of a good time in my tenth year of sobriety as I did when I was full of fuel."

10 If you could form a super band, consisting of your favourite musicians in the world, who would be in it?

"My band of brothers would be Dave McArtney, Graham Brazier, Steve Grant, George Harrison, Jimmy Barnes and Renee Geyer, all of who I have walked on the wild side with. My brothers Stevie and Kung would be out in front, my bro Mike on drums and all of my seven sisters as backing vocals. And I would call them Forever as they have been and will be my friends forever."