I had one of those “how fabulous is that” moments a few days ago when I read that Brenda Channer and Martinborough Books and Post had received the Bookshop of the Year award.
There is a huge number of excellent bookshops in New Zealand, so seeing our local bookshop recognised in this way was a real thrill. Well done to Brenda and her team for this outstanding achievement. Along with the Martinborough music festivals that are coming up, this award reminds us that Martinborough is doing outstandingly well as a cultural centre as well as being the Tuscany of the south.
This will be my last column as Mayor. All my columns were written by me, no ghost writing, no PR-staff input, and no puffery. My purpose was not to repeat information about Council decisions that could be read elsewhere on websites or in the newspaper. I wanted to provide insights and share things I had learnt from others. Many of my articles focused on civil defence and the need for us all to be ready for anything. As I leave the Mayoralty, I am pleased to be able to report that our ability to deal with an emergency is vastly better than it was. All coastal communities along the Wairarapa coast have access to communications equipment that does not get ruined by bad weather and landslides. We are now much more able to look after people who get displaced by disasters, than we were.
I want to use this final column to acknowledge and thank the many wonderful people in and around Martinborough that I have worked with for the past three years. Starting with those who bring the Star out each month. It was a pleasure working with Mike Beckett and more recently Ray Lilley as editors of the Star. It is a fine local newspaper, produced to a very high standard.
I wish to thank the Community Board for their ongoing service to their community. One of the factors leading to the improvement in disaster readiness in the area, is the energy and strength of your community board members. They have also done a brilliant job in continuing to safeguard the legacy of George Pain. I wish the next board all the best.
Every community has successful and outstanding people. Martinborough is so lucky to have such people in hospitality, wine, agriculture, and business. Our continued prosperity depends on these people. Our continued existence as a decent society though, depends on how we care for and look after those who are not so successful. I want to thank all those people who work with the Food Bank, the Fire Service, the not-so-successful, and the elderly, for your contribution towards making Martinborough a truly decent place to live. There are also many many people who are working on intergenerational projects to protect and improve the environment. To everyone who works in this way, seeking an outcome that only their grandchildren will see – you have my respect and thanks.
Martinborough is privileged to have two Marae. Kohunui and Hau Ariki. People from these Marae do much to assist the disaster readiness I talked about earlier. But for me personally listening to people from those Marae has done much to extend my knowledge and appreciation for both the history of the region and the extent of environmental degradation that has taken place. I am very grateful that people such as Wiremu Dawson and Mary Tipoki took the time to broaden my education. One of my earliest and fondest memories of the last three years was the unveiling ceremony for the hīnaki woven by Violet Edwards and placed prominently in the Waihinga centre. A memorial to the way things once were.
My final words are to wish all new elected members well. I hope there will be a big voter turnout.
Please remember that while you can most certainly agree or disagree with them and their decisions, most of them are there to do the best they can for the district we all share. It is not an easy task, and they will be doing their best for all of us.
