Praise for PM

At the National Party annual conference held about a month ago it is obvious that a main topic discussed would have been ‘‘How to win next year’s election’’. In this connection it is also equally obvious that with Jacinda retaining her then popularity there was no chance of National winning. The thing to do would be to pull out all stops to rubbish her. Action since the conference shows that they have been doing this and to a certain extent succeeded. However over the last year Jacinda has helped to show New Zealand to the world and make us all proud to be New Zealanders.

We read that the Government has a Suicide Prevention Strategy and an action plan which focuses on promoting well being, responding to suicidal distress, a free suicide bereaved counselling service etc.

In my opinion, none of these go back far enough to deal with the matter before suicidal thoughts arise in the mind of the people concerned.

Life in New Zealand has changed drastically since I was young and, for most, not for the better.

I failed to see any reference in the article to show that anyone has done some indepth research to discover the underlying cause(s) that lead to a person becoming suicidal.

We need to identify the things that happen in the lives of people living in New Zealand that bring on suicidal thoughts.

Doing so will enable dealing with those things before the wish to die arises in any one’s mind. I recently took my two sons to the Chatham Cup final in Auckland to watch my former club Melville United take on Napier City Rovers. Melville led with ten minutes to go, but unfortunately lost 3-2.

I would like to congratulate the Melville Football Club for making the final; their first appearance in New Zealand Football’s showpiece event since 2003 – they did our region proud.

Captain Aaron Scott has lead from the front this season, demonstrating a strong example of professionalism, commitment and attitude. Co-coaches Sam Wilkinson and Michael Mayne have provided the structure and leadership required to enable good results this season.

I would like to acknowledge all the football clubs in the Waikato region, and thank the volunteers and supporters for the important work they do. My boys play for Wanderers, and I regularly enjoy taking them to our local park and having a kick around, as well as refereeing my youngest son’s Saturday matches.

It’s exciting to see both football and futsul growing in our region. Northern United currently have 86 football teams entered in local competitions.

Well done Melville United, and all the best to all our Waikato football clubs. In local body politics, sometimes it’s the small things that can be indicative of how well a city council measures up. Getting the small things right is always a good gauge.

Many years ago the now called, ‘‘Waikato Museum’’, had its reputation tarnished by very stupid city council decision involving ‘‘restructuring’’ and a name change. The upshot of that was we forfeited millions of dollars worth of art because patrons lost confidence in the institution.

Part of the effort to restore confidence involves a return to the institution’s former name. It is not just a museum. Half the building operates as an art gallery. It is therefore more accurately an art and history museum. Why sell oneself short? Visitors and tourists to the city are only getting half the message as a consequence. People need to know that Hamilton, is a mature, sophisticated and progressive place, has a modern art gallery as one of its civic amenities.

You would think that the present city council would want to remedy this simple matter and present the city in its best light. But no. Representation on this issue has received the deaf ear.

Time for candidates to stand up and be counted. If the concept design of the Peacocks bridge shown in the WT recently is anything to go by then my worst fears have been realised.

Peacocks is going to be the gateway to the airport – it is not that far away and at the end of Wairere Drive which is a transport corridor to the north. It is also near the river which is one of the really nice things around Hamilton. It is a new bridge so we would hope that the decisions of the past would have stimulated some learning for the future. I know it is only a concept but where is the walking/cycle/scooter path? And where is the light rail track? Are we doomed to be forever lamenting the lack of foresight that has prevented the city from having a light rail (read trams) service that moves people and tourists from the CBD to the Hamilton Gardens/Airport/Hospital/ University/The Base/Chartwell/ Rototuna/Dinsdale/Glenview/Regional Theatre/Claudelands/Waikato Stadium/ Seddon Park simply because our transport corridors and bridges did not allow for them. I note that in the light of alleged sexual complaints within the Labour Party, that a Queen’s Counsel has been employed to make a report to the Prime Minister. Given the previous fiasco at a Labour Party youth camp where a person has recently pleaded guilty to assault charges, can the Prime Minister confirm, since this further tragedy involves only the Labour Party, that all costs in this latest investigation will solely be paid for by the Labour Party. Lastly, will the Prime Minister confirm that the report of the Queen’s Counsel will be made public and any senior persons within the Labour Party resign if found culpable in any way? This of course does raise the question whether working in or for the Labour Party is a safe working environment. Perception is everything in politics and sadly, one has to form a very poor view of a party that has always in the past been concerned for the well being of every day working people.