Coffee, lollies mainstays at hearings
There’s a remark been made along the lines that Americans do not understand Test cricket because there are wars shorter than the five-day game.
If it is true, there must also be wars shorter than a four-day council meeting, with councillors hearing from one member of their constituency after another on their long-term plan.
In the chambers of New Plymouth District Council the councillors are helped through their daily 8-10 hour ‘‘test’’ by a steady supply of lollies and chocolates from council officers.
In fact, the deputy mayor even admitted to stealing chocolates from his fellow councillors.
Biscuits and fruit are also supplied, as is tea and coffee for you to make yourself. At the Wednesday dinner break, there was chicken and prawn soup and pizza ordered in for councillors.
Veteran councillor Marie Pearce said a good sense of humour helps.
‘‘Far too much coffee and try to avoid the sugar – try being the operative word,’’ she said.
At the other end of the scale is newbie Anneka Carlson, who has brought a reusable shopping bag full of snacks – even baking herself vegan choc-chip cookies in preparation.
The council cafe didn’t have oat milk, which limited her coffee intake, but she’s drinking plenty of tea.
‘‘Tomorrow I’m going to bring my own espresso machine and my own oat milk,’’ she said on Wednesday. ‘‘Going into it, I was like ‘oh my gosh, how am I going to stay awake when it’s so repetitive’, but actually everyone is so different.’’
Yesterday she had not brought said espresso machine, but was stoked to hear the cafe now stoked oat milk.
Councillors Murray Chong and Dinnie Moeahu said they don’t mind the sitting and listening at all.
For councillor Colin Johnston the secret is a good lunch.
‘‘I only have the one coffee in the morning because that’s all I need,’’ the Waitara man said. ‘‘It’s amazing what you learn by listening to submissions.’’
Generally, everyone has remained in good spirits during the hearings. Moeahu talked over the mayor at one point and Holdom conceded his statement could have been allowed, but made everyone aware he was prepared to eject people.
The best-dressed award on Wednesday was a close-run thing between deputy mayor Richard Jordan, who sported a pink tie, and councillor Carlson in an elegant white jacket.
On day three, the mayor had pastel pinks and purples going for his shirt and tie, while councillor Sam Bennett stood out for his snappy grey checked jacket.
Gordon Brown is an old hand at these things and knows what it takes to get through with concentration intact.
‘‘I drink tea. Lots of it,’’ he said. ‘‘Really it’s the best four days of the term. You get to hear firsthand what people think of us.’’
The hearings finish today.