Book, socks supporting Tairāwhiti Multicultural Society causes

East Coast MP Dana Kirkpatrick at the recent official launch of the book Diverse Tairawhiti: Celebrating Strength Through Diversity. Copies of the book are still available.

Christmas is over, but it’s not too late to give to two causes close to the heart of Tairāwhiti Multicultural Society (TMC).

Copies of the TMC book Diverse Tairāwhiti: Celebrating Strength Through Diversity are available to buy, as are pairs of “Sunrise socks”.

The book, officially launched by Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz and East Coast MP Dana Kirkpatrick during the recent Diwali festival in Gisborne, shares heartfelt and inspiring stories of migrants who have made Tairāwhiti their home.

It features the personal journeys of 12 migrants, with each interviewed about their origins, their reasons for choosing Tairāwhiti as their home and their experiences of building a new life in Aotearoa.

The stories, penned by Gillian Moon, are accompanied by photographs that bring their narratives to life, while offering readers a glimpse of Tairāwhiti’s cultural diversity.

“The process of gathering these stories has been both humbling and inspiring, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of this book,” Moon said.

TMC president Arish Naresh and vice-president Hans van Kregten extended their “heartfelt gratitude to every person who has contributed their time, energy and passion to our events and the creation of this book”.

“Your efforts have been instrumental in weaving the narrative of our multicultural community.”

The book received funding from the Ministry of Ethnic Communities and support from various sponsors and supporters.

Copies are available at Tairāwhiti Museum and the Gisborne i-Site Visitor Information Centre in Grey St.

TMC, operating under the brand Opportunities Without Discrimination (OWD), is embarking on a fundraising mission to support Disha – Open School, a lifeline for underprivileged children in the heart of Delhi, India.

“Disha” means direction in Hindi. The Open School projects provide a beacon of hope by offering educational opportunities to children aged 6-14 living in the cycle of poverty in the slums of Delhi.

Proceeds from the sales of Diverse Tairāwhiti will support this fundraiser.

TMC also has a Givealittle page running for the Open School.

Meanwhile, TMC and the Sunrise Foundation have collaborated in another venture which is benefiting Sunrise’s General Fund.

TMC approached local business local company Columbine to make a high-quality “Sunrise socks” using offcuts that would have otherwise gone to waste.

“This collaboration is a way to say thank you to Sunrise for supporting us with a grant over the last few years,” Naresh said.

“It is from the general fund that we received our grants, so it feels only right that this ongoing collaboration will support that fund.”

Socks are available to purchase through the Sunrise website or its office at 1 Peel St (the BDO building) in the new year.