Blossom Parade one out of the box, thank you

As an awe-struck bystander who watched another Blossom Parade transverse the streets of Hastings last Saturday, I felt compelled to acknowledge the tremendous effort extended by those hundreds of people of so many different cultures who were involved in the creation of an event that can only be described as magnificent.

The parade brought smiles of enjoyment to the faces of thousands of spectators, young and old, and what was presented is surely unmatched anywhere in New Zealand, if not the world.

Congratulations to all, each and every participant . . . what a terrific job you did.

And to the organisers, well done. You can walk tall for the success of your endeavours.

Do the people of Hawke’s Bay realise what a tremendous spectacle this event is? A. Bushby Hastings

Northland favoured

Good article from John Thompson in Thursday's paper asking for a slice of Shane Jones' regional slush fund for the expansion of Napier port. But he's whistling in the wind.

Despite Napier MP Stuart Nash's penchant for full-page ads telling us how wonderful he is, in reality he's a political lightweight with little influence at the top table and the bulk of that slush fund will be going elsewhere. Although Winston Peters’ recent TV appearances suggest rapid decline into forgetful old age, he and his acolyte, Jones, have enough wits left to realise their chances of reaching the 5 per cent threshold in the next election are minuscule and the survival of the “Winston First” party depends on securing the Northland seat. That's why the slush fund was one of Peters’ coalition conditions and Northland is where the bulk of it is going. So good luck to the rest of us getting more than just a token share. John Denton Eskdale

A little Maraenui magic

I am very pleased there are so many positive things happening in Maraenui. Your article, September 14, about the te reo school there is an example.

Here is another one. Alongside of the shopping centre is a creche run by several very happy and wonderful ladies. They look after about 30 children from 1-year-olds to about 5. These children are being instructed in both te reo and English and are a very happy band of children.

We got to know about the work they do when my wife had a surplus of children’s knitting. We were told to take it there where the ladies would distribute it. When we did we found they had a unique system for giving away items.

A person had to leave some thing in order to get something. My wife has given knitted blankets, baby singlets, jerseys, beanies and small teddy bears, and, in the autumn, surplus fruit.

In return we seem to be considered almost honorary members of the group. We are invited to the children’s Christmas parties, and other functions such as dress-ups. Perhaps the best thing about it is we are also entertained by the children’s action songs.

Yes, positive things are happening in this community and this group of ladies are an important part of it. Art Hooper

Napier