Setting stage for the mid term – political leaders act with restraint, empathy
Abalmy Summer evening as the moon rose and a red sun set behind the mist of smoke drifting between the valley and the rugged western ranges.
The sloping, tree-sheltered setting in front of the simple stage with a backdrop of the sweeping vineyards and the rolling hills of the Moutere was, last Tuesday evening, the setting for one of the most gently life-enhancing concerts imaginable.
The relaxed and revered Don McGlashan set the scene. However, the transcending and evocative performance from the extraordinarily talented Marlon Williams stole the show.
Hard to imagine a more suitable venue to salve the spirits of the more than 50 fire-fighting personnel that Tim, Judy and Rosie Finn invited to the delayed event at Neudorf, originally scheduled for the previous Friday.
The artists had moved on south but packed up and flew back to the evocative venue determined to contribute to the recovery of a community still shaken by the outbreak of the devastating wild fires on the other side of the valley.
It may be imagination but the hint of smoke from a still-threatening forest fire seemed to linger in the evening air until driven into the ether by a level of world-class eclectic music that stamps Williams as the consummate performer he undoubtedly is.
But of course, evocative performance aside, the real plaudits must be addressed to all who pitched in and held the line when fire seemed geared to engulf one of the earliest settlements in the South Island and destroy the homes and dreams of those that live in the idyllic valleys and rolling, wooded hills of the hinterland.
The containment battle continues but the war is won largely due to extraordinary cooperation across the divide of volunteer and professional firefighters and pilots, intelligent and focussed efforts from local and national emergency services and sensitive management of information and assistance to the thousands directly threatened by the wild fires.
Of course, there were glitches in information transfer in the first few days and some understandable resentment when angst-ridden locals were being told by outsiders when they could access their homes and how they should look after their animals and assets.
But the apparent transition from irritation to admiration for the handling of the emergency was as swift as the spread of the wild fire through the forest.
Overnight critics became cheerleaders as folk with local knowledge volunteered their services to assist at road blocks and work with relief teams across the district. Co-operation became a watch-word of the fight-back. Mutual respect flourished.
Roaming pets and livestock were captured and transported to the Richmond showgrounds in an extraordinarily sensitive exercise. Even pet rabbits and lost chooks were able to be reintroduced to their amazed and delighted owners in a remarkably designed, landbased Noah’s Ark that emerged overnight and accommodated representatives of just about every species of pets and farm animals living in the valleys.
Of course there were victims but not necessarily all taken by the fire. In one bizarre instance a flock of exotic birds housed in a valley resident’s designer aviary was largely wiped out by bush rats fleeing the fire and presumably seeking vengeance on survivors.
Late this week residents still restricted from returning home were escorted back to their properties by convoys of eager service men and women prepared to assist with any task that would ameliorate their anxieties.
Fences and water storage were resurrected on request and on the spot. Wandering animals were returned to paddocks no longer under threat and gutters and outbuildings put back in order by young army and navy personnel determined to help.
Former critics of the evacuation strategy went from grumpy to gracious in no time.
Meanwhile, the district’s political leaders acted with restraint and empathy.
Tasman’s Richard Kempthorne and Tim King won plaudits for their hands on management of local assistance while urging calm and co-operation in the midst of personal emergencies threatening family holdings.
Former Minister Nick Smith and present Minister Damien O’Connor stepped over the partisan line and, perhaps taking a lead from emergency services, no politician attempted to grandstand. The Prime Minister followed up her initial visit with a further on the ground inspection of just how well emergency services operate in extraordinarily difficult conditions.
Perhaps more importantly she pledged ongoing assistance from central government.
Meanwhile, back in Wellington, the Government was pledging a year of action.
Judging from the relative progress since the triumvirate took the Treasury benches actions will speak louder than pledges of action. The first week of Parliamentary debate was hardly inspiring and Government Ministers attempting to rationalise progress, or lack of it, in housing development and regional development funding are not ringing any political bells in the wider public catchment.
Perhaps the Minister of Housing would like to consider the political axiom that under-promising and over-delivering is a more effective political ploy than the tactic he originally adopted in the full flush of misplaced political enthusiasm.
And a presumably re-energised Leader of the Opposition might like to consider exiting the nodding support group that gathers at his back every time he does a televised stand-up in Parliament.
The mute ‘we’re right behind you’ pantomime is both visually dated and politically phony. Someone on his staff should tell him he’s a smart guy with an engaging personality and the Jamie Ross affair should have taught him being the leader doesn’t require a Greek chorus at his back.
Marlon Williams and Don McGlashan held their audience spell-bound. The rest of the band stayed in the shadows.
Politicians might like to give some thought to the effectiveness of communication that people relate to.