During the weekend I had the complete pleasure of being a judge at the fabulous Russell Birdman Festival. It is estimated that the population trebled. The town will have enjoyed a roaring trade during our coldest month and the locals had a fun and frivolous weekend.
A few weeks ago, I attended the Kawakawa Business and Community AGM and heard about all the activities they are undertaking to support local prosperity. Focus Paihia is going great-guns with the development of the Waitangi Mountain Bike Park. Love Opua and Vision Kerikeri continue to work on community and people projects. Kaikohe has a group of like-minded individuals focused on regeneration, while Kaitaia has wonderful town beautification activities… and the list goes on. The common theme, of course, is that all these activities are led by passionate volunteers. People that have chosen to make a difference. Chosen to stick their necks out, to donate time, resources and energy to bring about change in the most proactive, uplifting and encouraging way. These people enrich our communities. They are part of the hope and aspirations so much needed in a time when far too many of our beautiful people struggle with depression, a lack of direction, or who cannot find their place, their value. For the Far North to truly prosper we need to encourage and support these local leaders. They are role models, change agents; the quiet achievers, making a difference one day at a time. Whether the outcome is purely fun (and we could all do with more laughter), economically driven, advocates or making someone’s day – the purpose is always to make the world a better place. With over 40 communities in the Far North, each with its own identity, its own strengths and challenges, we need to get in behind these local heroes. And if there isn’t one in your community, be one. Although it can be hard going at times (there are always people ready to throw stones), the rewards are worth it. The personal satisfaction that comes from community success should not be under-estimated. It grows self-worth, and feelings of value and connectedness. Volunteering – the selfless act of giving to others – brings about happiness. We are a large district with a small population and an even smaller rate base. We need each other. We need strong communities and a strong district. We need to remember that we are all in this together and that our collective approach, our support of each other, can be a game-changer. So thank you to all our volunteers for being part of making a better, stronger tomorrow. We celebrate you. Nominations for the Far North Citizen Awards close at the end of the month. Let’s celebrate the people making a difference in our communities. Please nominate your local super heroes and let’s honour the difference they are making. For further details go to the FNDC website: www.fndc.govt.nz.
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I unequivocally support our council team. We have a range of highly-talented and gifted individuals working at the Far North District Council. These are people who have chosen to work in the public sector, not because it’s easy or the best-paying job, but because they see the potential. They want to give something back and be part of a better tomorrow. They see the real opportunity, while recognising the many challenges that come with trying to serve a huge district with diverse communities and more diverse personalities. Working for a council has more challenges than most. On top of being a public entity that is headed by elected representatives, it is both an enforcer and an enabler. It is about five different businesses under one roof and it has a bunch of laws and legislative requirements to manage, implement and monitor. The public, generally speaking, have very little interest in the workings of councils - just look at the numbers that vote. It is an organisation that people generally only have direct involvement with when they are required to meet legislation or they don’t like what is happening in their backyard. Having been employed by two councils, this one included, I have a pretty good understanding of the pressures that are associated with working for a public body. It is not uncommon for staff to not mention they work for council in social environments. This is unfortunate, but understandable at times. It can be particularly tough-going for our team when council hits the spotlight. Sometimes it is difficult to have a balanced story. This can be due to many things - we can’t share the details; sometimes people just don’t want to know and then there are the times where you don’t want the facts to get in the way of a good story. Of course, sometimes we simply don’t get it right; not intentionally of course. I am not aware of anyone who goes to work and wants to do a crap job. We fully recognise that we are on the road to recovery. We have come a long way and we still have a way to go. We have a new highly-skilled and dedicated CEO. We have a talented, strong leadership team and we have a great bunch of people dedicated and working hard for you. Will we ever get it all right? I’m not sure that is possible. However, I am confident that we are committed to serving our communities to the best of our ability. I am also confident that all of us, elected or employed, are trying hard to do a good job and grow a high-performing organisation that we can all be proud of, because we all fundamentally believe in this place, our place, the fabulous and beautiful Far North. I experienced the turning of a tide last Friday night. A catalyst for a different tomorrow. An example of Maori self-determination succeeding at the very highest level. Yes, I was privileged to be amongst approximately 700 people, including the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition, celebrating excellence in Maori Farming.
The announcement that Omapere Rangihamama Trust (ORT) had won the Ahuwhenua Trophy saw a large contingent of Ngapuhi rise to their feet in explosive celebration. The sense of pride and passion was clear. The Ahuwhenua Trophy remains the pre-eminent accolade to win in Maori farming and is recognised as the most prestigious and comprehensively judged award in New Zealand. I was heartened to see the support of other iwi and hapu from throughout the North there in support of the Trust and event. To me, it signified collective strength, ownership and recognition of hard-won success. As the Chair of the Trust, Sonny Tau, had stated earlier ‘at iwi level, this competition means everything’. When one considers the need for aspirational role modelling within the ‘heart’ of Ngapuhi, it doesn’t get much better than this. It is an achievement that needs to be celebrated and shared as a community and as a district (plans are amidst!) The impact the win had on members of the whanau on the night was testament enough of the sacrifice made to change the tide. To work towards a better tomorrow, with vision, clear process and hard yards. As I was sitting at this amazing gala dinner, I reflected on legacy. That the world we live in today is the legacy shaped by decisions of those that walked before us. That these decisions have brought us to this very place. And although the odd individual stands out – for both incredible, horrendous and everything-in-between actions – the reality is that people stood with, against or were just indifferent and thus became part of the collective outcome. As I consider where we could be heading and recognise the need for strong leadership, brave leadership to step up and counter the current flow, I am incredibly encouraged by those that are trying. Those people that are prepared to put their heads above the parapet and work towards a better future – because it isn’t easy to go against the tide. The key point here, though, is that all leaders are part of the team. And success in any form is always the outcome of a collective approach. ORT would not be where it is today without collective buy-in and working as a unit. It is through their collective vision and clear understanding of where they want to be, who they want to be (i.e. building their legacy) that they have managed to achieve such significant success. And all credit to them. I was recently asked, does gender diversity add value and why is this important? Here’s my response.
I have no doubt that gender diversity adds value. The fact that gender diversity (and cultural diversity) have finally been extracted from the shadows of a male-dominated society and given the recognition they deserve, as a foundation of progressive thinking, is testimony to that. We only need to look around the world to see the impacts of previous male-dominated decision making. But I want to be clear, it is not about which gender is superior. This is simply not an argument. Each brings a strength, an identity, a way in which decisions are made and business is undertaken. Like hot and cold, the sun and moon, masculine and feminine energies bring balance to the whole. It is recognising that each member brings their own approach, their own set of values and beliefs. It is through strong diversity with a united vision that magic can really happen. The courage to bring core values, our motivators, to the governance setting can really break down barriers and open new ways of achieving success. The following excerpt from my 2015 International Women’s Day Speech sums it up: “We need to celebrate this diversity between the sexes rather than trying to control and manipulate it to one’s own end. As a people, this is where our strength will come from; our unity and healing. And we do live in a time where we need to heal; individually and collectively. We need to learn to forgive and make peace. We must be brave and expect better, want for more, fly the flag of freedom, respect, grace and prosperity. And it all starts with us … you and me. Women, I believe, play a significant role in bringing about this change. Although often perceived as the physically weaker sex, we are strong of heart, carry great wisdom and can endure and grow from many trials and tribulations. So, I firmly believe in the power of unleashing women’s potential. I firmly believe that we have some way to go to achieve balance and that it will take a change of mind-set by both men and women. I firmly believe that we need to do this – our world depends on it. Equality or balance is the right thing, the only thing that will bring true prosperity to human kind.” At the end of the day, it’s about respect, each of us recognising and valuing the strength and integrity of another. It is about truth and the responsibility each of us must take in walking our truth and holding ourselves accountable. But most importantly it is about aroha and the courage this brings. If we hold this at our heart, our actions, our decisions, should be ones that encompass all our people and our place. So, there is a lot of attention on Kaikohe at present – sadly, not for the right reasons. It is my belief that this community, which is absolutely without doubt struggling, will shine again and become a beacon of hope. There are many remarkable people and organisations within Kaikohe focused on making a difference, which is and will create catalysts for positive change. One excellent example is the Omapere Rangihamama Trust. The trust is one of three finalists in the 2017 Maori Excellence in Farming Award (sheep and beef) for the Omapere Farm. This is the 85th year the Ahuwhenua Trophy will be presented. It is the most prestigious award for Maori agriculture, launched by Sir Apirana Ngata and the Governor General at the time, Lord Bledisloe. I had the privilege of attending the Field Day last week and saw first-hand the mahi that is being undertaken, which has seen this beautiful farm grow from strength to strength. It has an interesting history. Up until the 1950s, the Omapere land had separate titles. The size of the individual lots became uneconomic, so under the Maori Affairs Act 1953, the separate titles were amalgamated under one title, known as Omapere Taraire E and Rangihamama X3A Ahu Whenua Trust. The land was then managed by the Department of Maori Affairs. During the process, the Crown (through the Maori trustees) acquired a substantial holding (shares) in the Omapere block. Under new leadership, from 2007 there has been a determined effort by the trustees and shareholders to buy back the shares, with the trust now owning over 54%, with an ongoing strategy to fully own all the shares in the not-to-distant future. I also understand that when the new leadership took over, the farm was in substantial debt. This was turned around within three years. The farm borders the only Maori - owned lake in Aotearoa, Lake Omapere. This is considered a sacred site and a taonga tupuna in its own right. Care of the environment is a major foundation for the trust’s strategy and reducing their environmental footprint is taken very seriously. An example is the fencing of a significant buffer zone bordering the lake. The Ahuwhenua Handbook quotes “the trust is a great model of whanau working collaboratively to gain maximum return from their land, but at the same time placing equal emphasis on preserving this taonga for future generations”. When one considers that there is 18% freehold Maori land in the Far North (about 2,000 blocks), with less than 15% in production, the Omapere Rangihamama Trust is certainly demonstrating a top model for success. And I know they want to share their journey – ‘if you can do it here you can do it anywhere.’ The award will be announced in Whangarei on 26 May. Whatever the outcome, the trust should be very proud of their achievements to date. They are already proving what can be achieved when good business and aroha for the tangata and whenua come together. In 2015, the Far North District Council adopted the vision ‘He Whenua Rangatira – a District of Sustainable Prosperity and Well-being’. This vision is supported by a set of key values and outlines expectations for 2050.
Over the past month, I have experienced and thus contemplated a number of issues and challenges; many of which have been present for a long while. These include gender inequity, our ‘lost’ youth and - of course, at the heart of much of it - a deep-set anger - that is showing its ugly head more and more often. Anger is often referred to as a secondary emotion; something we resort to if feeling vulnerable due to attack, disrespect, betrayal, loss, etc. These words certainly go some way to identifying why we are where we are. I have wondered what it will take to truly realise the potential of our vision and the necessity of needing to achieve this for now and future generations. I recognise that for this district, and the amazing and diverse communities within it, moving forward will continue to be a battle if we do not find common purpose, articulate it, believe in it and hold it at our heart. Some will say that this is an impossible task. I do not believe so. I believe we are capable and we are extraordinary – each and every one of us. I believe that we all have the capacity to forgive, to heal and to move forward in unity. I believe that we all want our children to feel valued and to lead successful lives. So, I have come to the realisation that the only way we may find common purpose is to firmly focus on our children. And this is where vision becomes important. If we are to hold our children at the heart of our decision making, surely we would begin to make better decisions, better choices? And without this clarity of knowing where we are going, how will we choose which road to take? I recognise that vision is often seen as a fluffy word that struggles to find a place in our day to day lives. I also recognise that many believe Council has some way to go in delivering core infrastructure and this is what we need to concentrate on (and Council is). Prudent decision-making around clear strategy to develop sound council infrastructure and facilities is a must in supporting this district to flourish. However, I believe without clarity of purpose we will continue to wander and wonder. I am unashamedly big picture. I hold a firm view that the Far North, the tail of the fish, can become a trail-blazer, to show the way a district can work together and realise its potential. We are all in this together. We all want for better. So, please, let’s take responsibility and all do our bit – for the sake of our children. The following speech was loosely given at a celebration of International Women's Day 2017 in Kaitaia.
So, I’m going to start with a bold statement: If there were more women in key political positions, I do not believe the world would be in the state that it is in. Now, I need to say at the onset that this is not a speech about which gender is better – what I firmly believe is – it’s about balance. In my 2015 speech for International Women’s day I noted: finding balance between the sexes….this to me means recognising and respecting what the opposites bring to the whole. Whether it be masculine and feminine, night and day, hot and cold… So, the theme this year is ‘Be Bold for Change’. With a key goal to help forge a better working world – a more inclusive, gender equal world. I have to say, politics is a great place to be if you want to drive change. Today, I have been asked to speak on the pros and cons as a career of being a women in politics. So here’s my personal perspective …I’m going to start with the cons – tougher but shorter list. Professionally, I don’t think there are really any cons in having more women in political positions – in fact I absolutely encourage it as we are currently not well represented. Here’s a few stats:
Now on a personal level, it’s a bit of a different story. There is some juggling – in my case I have an almost six year old daughter, who I co-parent with her dad, having Jesse with me every second week. So for that one week I am it – which means I need to work work around schooling and after school activities, and generally try and maintain a routine, in a work world where there is no real routine. It has taken a bit of time to get this balance right, and I still don’t always. Fortunately, I have a really strong bond with my girl and she seems to generally cope with the occasion meeting attendance. Another con is that there aren’t many people I can confide in and it can feel a bit lonely at times. There are many times when I have left meetings completely frustrated, however, it’s something you don’t tend to share (there are also many meetings where I leave feeling on a real high!). For one thing lots of people don’t get ‘my world’ or have a real perception of what’s involved and secondly, and more importantly, it’s just not professional or part of my make-up. You learn to really value trust and this takes time to build, and at times doesn’t eventuate but that’s all part of growing wisdom and acting wisely. Of course, one of the clearly perceived cons is being a woman in a man’s world. And yes, as indicated earlier, nationally it is a heavily dominated male environment. In fact, there is a saying within the industry – one that captures the reality, somewhat disrespectfully….male, stale, frail and pale…keeping in mind that it is the people of NZ that put them there. Although I rarely come across it these days, there are many examples of women in politics (and many other lines of work) having to deal with inappropriate comments, undermining, suggestions, approaches that really are quite unacceptable. I think it’s also important to recognise that there can be disharmony amongst women in politics as well. I’m not going to go into that today. I will say that I am honoured to work alongside the FNDC women, who I have an ever growing respect for. Next there’s the issue of being taken seriously on a professional level. It’s not something I tend to encounter around our council table, however, I am aware of numerous examples of women’s ideas and approaches being undermined in various ways. But lets be real here – this is not isolated to politics – this is quite universal. So, although there are other cons, including the average pay, lets move on to the pros. And reflect on the theme once more: Be Bold for Change! So if you really want to make a difference on a larger scale, politics is a really cool place to be. For me personally, I decided to run for local government because on having worked within the council environment, I realised the only way to make real change was to get into a position of real influence. I am a great fan of local government and in no way support it’s demise, however, I also recognise that Councils across NZ have been operating in pretty much the same fundamental ways for decades and I believe, we need to seriously review the way we do things. And now is the time. We are on the cusp of change, and although still quite slow moving I am seeing changes in thinking and approaches. On a world scale – something is going to give and this will have ramifications for us here in NZ. And this is the power of being in politics. On building credibility, you can have the ability to make a real difference in your community, your district, your region. And sometimes this is as simple as bringing a voice to the unheard, supporting the seemingly forgotten or encouraging the game changers to continue to be magnificent. On a larger scale, it is being able to influence direction, working alongside other game changers. Women bring a unique approach to politics. And I think what is really important is that more and more women can be ‘women’ in politics. There was potentially a time that a women needed to behave more like a ‘man’ to make it in the industry. Women tend to be less ego driven (but not always), which can get in the way of good decision making. They generally have strong community empathy and are driven by different motivators to men. Women can also be fiercely competitive but potentially for different reasons. They are used to putting others before them and I believe, have a fair sense of equality and reason. When going in to politics many women make huge sacrifices on their personal time and commitments. So they don’t tend to undertake the journey unless they are passionately committed to their strong sense of value and understanding of what they believe will make the world a better place. They are wives, partners, mothers, grandmothers, daughters – thus they have an invested interest in a better tomorrow… And these are some of the reasons why I believe the world would be a different place if we had more women in power. On a personal note, a real pro of being in local government is the satisfaction and sense of achievement that can come in seeing something come to fruition. I have already sowed many seeds and I have seen some of those seeds grow strongly and although I don’t always get the recognition (which is okay), I know that I played a part in making a difference in a positive way. Another pro for me personally, is the growth in self. I am so not the person I was when I first became elected. I am stronger, more resilient, have perspective and a clear understanding of my life purpose. I can say I am a leader and actually believe it, because I know my motivations are in the right places. That’s not to say I haven’t had challenges – oh my goodness no. This last week alone has been a prime example. But I am grateful for it. As I have learned from the experience. I have grown up in a very short space of time, and although a little bruised they will heal and set me in good stead for future confrontations. Because, at the end of the day it’s not personal. These people don’t ‘know’ me. And if I plan to be Bold for Change – which I do, then I am bound to upset a few more people along the way. Not intentionally of course. My goal is always for the greater good. I also want to add here, that I have chosen not to fight the ‘old school’ male approach to politics. I just don’t see the value in it. I have learnt that a ‘leopard generally doesn’t change ‘his’ spots’, so my approach is to lead by example, ignore the unnecessary comments (half the time they don’t even realise they are doing it – it is so ingrained) and simply be a professional. I am also heartened by the many, many men in politics that are completely embracing of women and treat me as an equal. And note, this is a two way thing. I have to be responsible and accountable for my own actions. As at the end of the day, my credibility comes from how I choose to interact and perform as an individual. I realise that I can achieve far more by being professional, proactive, and fight the good fight rather than putting my energy into something that can only get me off side. As one must never forget there is a game to be played, although I do my best not to play it. That’s not to say I tolerate disrespect – sometimes I just choose to ignore it – well file it away anyway. So to make it in this world of politics (and not become bitter, twisted and burnt out). One must have a very strong sense of purpose – which must hold the community at its heart. One needs to find balance and stand up for this balance – you are not owned by the district – you are a human being too. One needs to have a strong but probably small network of confidants to support and encourage you. And you must build resilience, learn very much to choose your battles, and keep all things in perspective – hard that this can be at times. But I think most importantly as a woman, one needs to embrace our femininity –as this is a real and tangible strength. Because we women offer deep wisdom, strong character and an uncompromising sense of belief in our children, wanting a better world in a currently unbalanced one. And thus, we need to support and encourage each other. Recognise that we will not always agree but that we completely understand that at the heart of the matter is building a better tomorrow for our children’s children. A legacy that we can be proud of, share in and celebrate. Arohanui Food for thought
It’s been a bit of a dilemma as to what subject I should focus on in this, my first column for the year (Northland Age). There is the very real poverty issue and what I believe sits at its heart – poverty of the soul and the need for empowered community leadership. Then there’s the growing momentum to drive zero waste. How do we make in-roads into this important issue when too many of us can’t even manage to get our rubbish into the bin! And thirdly, the exciting and growing opportunities within the visitor industry. This last topic won out. Simply because it is so positive and actually, with some smart approaches, could make some serious in-roads into the first two points. I believe tourism is a key industry in driving positive change across the whole of the Far North. That’s if we work together, play to our strengths and continue to focus on delivering authentic experiences. Why? Because we have the most incredible natural environment and our hospitality - it’s just what we do naturally - manaakitanga. Another thing I love so much about this industry, other than the joy of being able to celebrate and share just what makes this place so darn special, is that, if done right, it should help protect and nurture our environment. New Zealand’s visitor industry is booming. Shared stats for New Zealand included tourism being 10% of our economy (still higher than dairy), 12% of the NZ workforce and 21% of our total exports - with a potential 4.5 million international visitors by 2022! I have certainly observed a bumper summer season in the Bay of Islands. So much so, over the Christmas period that the water supply for Paihia/Waitangi was operating 22 hours a day to keep up with demand. Obviously, the opportunities for employment are huge, ensuring we develop in a way that the benefits are real and long-lasting. Council will soon discuss, with an aim to clarify, our role in supporting this important industry. Where can we best put our efforts and limited resources? Is there opportunity to look at plan changes and trial tourism ‘precincts’? Paihia comes to mind. What’s the opportunity to promote and educate our visitors (and ourselves for that matter) on the importance of looking after our own backyard? And how do we better mitigate the negative impacts of the industry? I’m looking forward to this discussion. I want to sneak in one final thought. Is it time for a name change? Although there is an affinity to it, the ‘Far North’ really doesn’t capture who we are. It isn’t a great marketing tool and then there’s the baggage. I believe a fresh ‘approach’ is needed, something aspirational that will be part of changing our story. A name that celebrates tō tātou – our place! Food for thought. Click on this link to the McGuinness Institute blog for my presentation on the very real issue of Tackling Poverty.
If you are anything like me, at this time of year you reflect on the year that’s been and thus start to focus on what success might look like for the year ahead.
One thing I know for sure, is that success for the Far North (as a whole and at a community level) will only be achieved by finding common purpose and then working together to achieve tangible outcomes. This doesn’t mean we have to agree on everything because we won’t. But what we do need to do is find a way forward - find the common goal, together. I believe this way needs to be fresh and will require some innovative and creative thinking – which we are all capable of. The Far North is brimming with potential and there is no real reason why we shouldn’t succeed – other than our perceived lack of belief in who we are and what we are capable of. The only thing really holding us back is our limited thinking on what we can truly achieve. So our challenge, I believe, is to be truly brave and grow a really loud, proactive voice. The reason is simple. We deserve better. Our children deserve better. Our environment deserves better. Our district vision He Whenua Rangatira – A District of Sustainable Prosperity and Well-being – provides a foundation for growing this voice. I look forward to the year ahead – knowing it will be challenging. I believe, however, that we are on the cusp of change – at a world level. We simply cannot continue to carry on the way we are. So I look forward to working with those of you that want to make a positive difference and encourage the rest of you to be all you can be. Kia kaha. |
AuthorTania McInnes. Archives
January 2024
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