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This Week’s Issue

Through the Portal

2024 – The year that was

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January 1, 2025

THROUGH THE PORTAL – Opinion

BY TREVOR AMMUNDSEN

The 2024 year was a tough one for many people, including the residents in our area. Central to this was the economy which was well and truly smashed by the previous Government and now is being rebuilt, but slowly. The current Government has resisted the call for total austerity and the pain that would cause, recognising the country also needs to grow so there is a balancing act they must get right.

Parliament has been a balancing act also, although I tend to think it has been out of balance most of the time. Our multi-party proportional system has morphed into a two party system, much like the old one that MMP replaced. The reason for this is the refusal of the minor parties, with one exception, to work with “the other side”. Parties such as the Greens have made themselves pointless and have become more and more idiotic as they seek to differentiate themselves from their so called friends. Never mind, to cheer them all up I have recognised some of them with awards to match their achievements.

The Common Sense Award goes to the Government for their decision to limit farm to forestry conversions, and limiting these conversions entry into the Emissions Trading scheme. A triumph for food supply over dumb and pointless climate policies.

The Team of the Year Award goes to the government cabinet for getting on with the job. Unlike their predecessors who spent their first year of power calling for meetings and reports while actually doing nothing the current lot have got into it. Education, Infrastructure, Economy, Law and Order, Curbing Regulations; the list of areas where good works are happening just goes on.

The Cold Seat Award goes to the Te Pati Maori caucus who, apart from getting involved with organising a bus excursion, did absolutely nothing of importance all year, despite being paid handsomely for their attendance. Have made many think Maori seats are pointless if the incumbents cannot even keep them warm.

The Could Have Done Better Award goes to the Department of Conservation who could not match the pace of NZTA, who built a two lane vehicle bridge on State Highway 25A in about 6 months. DOC took an extra year or more to build a footpath over a paddock to Cathedral Cove. Should have done much better.

The Politician of the Year Award must go to Shane Jones due to his great use of oratory and his willingness to put the stupid in their place. He did this marvellously all year, amusing us greatly while doing precious little else. Who can forget (when discussing mining) “… if there is a mining opportunity and it’s impeded by a blind frog, goodbye, Freddie.”

On the local front there have also been difficulties, not the least of which is large increases in the rate bills residents have been lumbered with.

It has been a challenging time for the council, who have had to deal with significant storm damage from Cyclone Gabrielle, but their lack of transparency and tendency to congratulate themselves while apparently refusing to look at their own efficiencies and value disturbs many people.

Good work is done locally however, but generally by community organisations, not council bodies. The flags that are along the drive in, our Christmas tree, the Christmas parade and so on. I don’t know enough about what the various groups have done to honour them with awards however I can provide these below.

The Cult of the Year Award goes to the TCDC Councillors for consistent adherence to the principles of secrecy and sneakiness. By ignoring the Ombudsman’s directive to eliminate secret meetings and workshops, the TCDC Councillors kept the rate payers in the dark and ensured the inner workings of this cult remain hidden.

The Missing in Action Award goes to the Mercury Bay Community Board for, well nothing really.

The Town Beautification Award must go to Peter, owner of the Whitianga Hotel, for the significant rejuvenation he has carried out over this complex. The building now looks stunning and will be much more attractive to guests, be they local or tourists.

Town Booster Award goes to Andy and Bex of Stoked, who not only finished a rejuvenation of their perfectly positioned establishment but then became involved with the creation of the Eden American style diner complex next door and followed this up with a rejuvenation of The Store and dining complex at Kuaotunu. Bex reckoned they needed something to do and they have certainly given the town a boost.

For the Resident of the Year I have selected Dave. He always has a smile on his face and a joke close at hand. We need cheerful people.