RACISM INVERTED- SOLUTION AVERTED

Sometimes people need to see past their own history. Kim Workman had an extensive career in the public service. We met him when he was a big cheese in the prison service. ( he was nicknamed Kimi Workperson because he was so PC )

These days he is strong advocate for prison reform. On some points we see eye to eye.

Now the Wairarapa Times Age has interviewed Kim who claims that Masterton is a racist town. We have had a place in the Wairarapa for about 4 years. We now live their permanently. We have yet to see one scrap of evidence that Masterton is a racist enclave. The incidences that Kim describes are historical and could be replicated in towns large and small throughout NZ.

However, has chosen to brand Masterton with a racist tag and thats doing this proud town a very real disservice.

If Maori are doing anything wrong it is the passive acceptance of a relatively high profile gang presence in the area and the resultant crime. They wear their patches freely in public places. What we need to see from Maori in the Wairarapa is some ownership of the issue. For them to say that this is not acceptable. That would send a powerful message to their children that this cultural aberration is not acceptable.

So Kim should not be spitting his gentlemanly disguised venom at the good people of Masterton for being racist. Instead he should turn his attention to the other Maori leaders in the Wairarapa and work with them to challenge their own people when their behaviour is unacceptable.

If there is any sniff of racism it will stem from the fact the pakeha never see Maori leaders sort out the shit of their own.

If they did that any remnants of racism would be countered.

Its time for Kim to Tane up and show some leadership.

But we dont think he has the balls. Nah its much easier to slag of the good white folks of Masterton instead of getting Maori to own the problem and deal to it. And thats the issue we have with Maori leaders today - the only time they go hard is when money is at stake. Claiming that the money will solve their ills. Crap. Its leadership and a no- nonsense approach thats going to turn the plight of their people around. Whinging only makes it worse. It just perpetuates the myth that the problem is not theirs -it's someone elses.

WAIRARAPA PARISH PUMP DRAWS DEEP FROM COMMUNITY WELL

Palmerston North has been in the news a bit as it has had a bad rap for being a boring no account city. Thing is there is a lot to be said for provincial towns.

Take Masterton for instance. It's your quintiessential provincial retail and commercial hub.

It may not have lots of choice, but you normally get at least one of everything and they have to be good or they don't survive. So for instance, there is one really good sushi shop that would rival anything in the big smoke. And Strada's coffee and cakes are as good as anywhere in NZ.

And we have discovered that they also have one really good newspaper that is like the community newspapers of old. The Wairarapa News. Surprisingly its part of the Fairfax stable.Surprising, because we thought that this paper was so good of its type that it must be owned and loved by some locals. But being run and loved by some locals seems to be doing the trick.

Now there is also the Wairarapa Times Age , but there seems to be a lot less stories in it and its just doesn't seem to hit the mark like the Wairarapa News does.

However the Age does break some interesting stuff as this story shows. Bigotry and prejudice doesn't just rely on the colour of ones skin, it seems.

The Wairarapa News is delivered free, has a high advertising content and there are three or four interesting stories about issues that are close to the hearts of the residents and the rest of the paper is peppered with advertisements and stories about what is on. The community stuff that makes places like the Wairarapa so good to live in. A real good smattering of local politics, happenings and sport.

Like the fact that there are cheese making courses coming up. Or that there is a talk at the local Geological society looking at the two Wairarapa earthquakes of 1942 when the area was all shook up by two 7+ quakes a couple of months apart.

There are always lots of faces in the paper too. Sure, the photography is not world class but if you get to see the Doris you know from down the street being lauded for some community deed then you feel connected to your community.

And every Wednesday we really look forward to the Wairarapa News. Its a bloody good wee paper that does  its community proud and is a wonderful reflection of the province it serves.

And there is something  refreshing about reading news which is not based on the cult of celebrity.

We were already in love with the Wairarapa but apprehensive when we moved here permanently about 6 weeks ago but as every day goes past, that growing feeling of connection just keeps getting stronger.

And as we make the daily journey on the train into Wellington with the suns first filtering light bathing the valley we just spend the next 8 hours waiting to get back home.

Life is good.

HAZY FUTURE FOR JOHN?

It appears that there is going to be a real competition for the National Party nomination for Wairarapa.

John Hayes, the sitting MP is a nice enough bloke. Only ever met him once under the shade of a big old tree , drinkin and eatin, as you do in the Wairarapa.

But he has not been a stellar performer.

However the Wairarapa Times Age is reporting that Matahiwi winery director and shareholder Alastair Scott has confirmed he is challenging Hayes for the National Party nomination.

Mr Scott, a director/shareholder in Matahiwi Winery, on the outskirts of Masterton, said the winery was now well established and he had the "time and energy" to channel towards national politics.

Mr Scott, 44, said his decision to seek the nomination had nothing to do with any dissatisfaction over the performance of Mr Hayes.

He suspected there may well be others interested in securing the Wairarapa nomination.

"The obvious ones could be list MPs from the Wellington area, they are always looking for a home."

Mr Scott divides his time between a home on the Matahiwi Winery property and Kelburn.

He is separated with three children and, apart from his interest in Matahiwi, is involved in several other ventures.

He is a former board member of Go Wairarapa, sits on the Wairarapa Regional Irrigation Trust, is a director of Henergy Eggs and belongs to the Wairarapa Development Group.

Ironically, the last named was set up at the urging of Mr Hayes who invited Mr Scott and others to become members of the think-tank styled group aimed at raising the business profile of the district and thereby creating greater employment opportunities.

Mr Scott said he, like Mr Hayes, believed in competition and this had been reinforced during his time in banking and the wine industry.

Although he had always had an interest in politics, dating back to his college days, Mr Scott said he had never before sought a position nationally.

"But now with Matahiwi ticking along quite nicely the time is right for me and the Wairarapa electorate."

Well this will be an interesting competition and we are firm believers that continuous renewal is good for the party.

Scott seems to have a lot in common with John Key. And he obviously has big balls as taking on an incumbent MP is not an easy or comfortable thing to do.

We will keep you posted.

HEY THERE GEORGIE GIRL

Well it appears that we were onto something when we suggested that the  Mayoral race down south maybe overshadowed by the Masterton Mayoralty.

Then this morning we open the Wairarapa Times Age to find that paper (story not online yet) has conducted a poll on peoples voting preferences.  Beyer has coming out and gazumped the sitting Mayor Garry Daniell securing 63% of the votes in the poll. Georgina has not formally stated her intention to stand but she  must be bouyed by the result. She has made it clear that she is keen to support council amalgamation and it may be her support for this issue alone that already has her snaring a large body of support.

Former NZ First Party MP Ron Mark had indicated that he would be standing for the Carterton Mayoralty 
however he has just been appointed the CEO of the Federation of Maori Authorities - one of the political powerhouses of Iwi commercial interests.

So it will be interesting to see if he still pursues the mayoral option.

RON MARK TO SEEK CARTERTON MAYORALTY

Yip, it was all over the Wairarapa Times Age yesterday - only in the hardy copy.
Ron Mark has plenty of political nous but we lost a bit of respect for him when he continued to back Winston to the last.

If he has signalled his intention to seek the Carterton Mayoralty this early it does mean one thing - NZ First is dead and buried.

IN THE PROVINCES

We finished our pickle making endeavours today - 20 pints later. Half piccalilli and and half bread and butter. We will have to buy lots of cheese to accompany the pickles and any guests will duly leave with a jar of BB's finest. We went to the Masterton boot sale this morning - its a regular Sunday market of all sorts of goodies. Its not just top end foodie stuff like the one on the Saturday - this one has junk, cheap veg, plants, books and crap.

Today we bought a dozen home made melt in your mouth chockie chippie bikkies for $2 from a lovely old lady who has got to be about 80. She does a mean raspberry jam and her red pepper jelly ( all for $2 dollars ) are staples in the pantry.

We also bought 10 jute and hessian sacks for various reasons, some honey comb and a brand new mat for $10.

Now we also support the local economy as much as possible and that includes buying the inky fingers version of the delightfully parochial Wairarapa Times Age.

However, the Aussie Rock burst out laughing when he read the headline for the Saturday paper -
It screamed "ALL EVIDENCE POINTS TO BAIN"

We had just spent some time saying that we reckoned all evidence pointed to the father Robin Bain.

The Times Age taking a dollar each way perhaps?

Then we burst out laughing this morning when we spied a delivery vehicle for Liquorking
On the top of the front windscreen it read "LIQUOR, SHE WILL LOVE IT !"

Of that we have no doubt.