The people have spoken

The people have spoken!

Yes the election result is a reminder of those that seek and gain public office of any kind, is that you are representing those that voted you in after what you promised. And if you promise to spend money to build your own memorial to be admired by future generations the present generation may not take to kindly to your dream and send a message of reality. 

That is pretty much what has happened in the Te Awamutu council elections to the Waipa District Council. But do we have a new bunch of green councillors that will take time to get up to speed and under perform as a result? Time will tell and it is up to those that voted these people in to steer them and give them support and keep them honest on promises of more open information flows.

One thing is certain the Museum/Cultural Centre is no where near to a point that will come up with a consensus and I can not help thinking that if some one had rang the bell a bit earlier and had this discussion a year ago that the outcome may have been a lot different. May this be a lesson, you need to drag the majority along with you to have your dream become reality.

And long may democracy live!

Waipa local body elections

Who would, in their right mind stand for Council? 
Not as if you are paid well, you will not get praised for doing it, in fact you get a lot of abuse when you get it wrong!

This is most probably they way the incumbent councilors are thinking right now, who are we as a community? 


Not so long ago we where far enough away from Hamilton to be a self sufficient rural town with a hart and soul. These days we are a bit of that and a bit a satellite town for Hamilton. Our rural identity is not as strong as it once was, even farmers look around for the best deal and can not always find that in Te Awamutu anymore. The rest look at the bigger world out there and find anything they wish for in Hamilton and beyond. 

Our counselors, apart from Dean Taylor and Hazel Barnes, do little to give us a hart, a hart developed by communication with the rate payers, after all as counselors you are suppose to represent their needs, not your own version of or hobby project. The rate payers are about as connected with the council as a beef farmer with the vegetarian movement. 

An example is the bomb shell when the Museum/Cultural Center plans where reveled. Rate payers shockingly claimed to know nothing about it, council claims it has been on the table for years. Have the past councilors done enough to communicate with the rate payer? .........I think not!

I read the claims for re-election such as, 'I have worked hard and have achieved for the council', I have experience, (in what?) look people we want some evidence of that, anyone can say those empty words. Sorry, if I have just hurt your feelings but to work in a state of disengagement with your voters is just not good enough. Say what you stand for make yourself available to the community and listen to what they are saying. Write some letters to the Courier Editor from time to time to inform rather than to defend. Sure Dean Taylor has got a unfair advantage there but that is why he gets people on side at least you know what he is up to!

Oh and did I mention there is a shrinking job market and people are struggling financially out here?

'LOWER RATES' is a good catch cry!

Te Awamutu Museum

Reading the Courier this week, I noticed a advertisement depicting post office staff in front of the Post Office taken in 1963. This was incidentally as the ad describes the third building for this purpose build on the same site.


It came as a bolt from the sky.

A historical significant building with a rich local historic story to tell. Right in the middle of Te Awamutu, accessible to all people. It has even potential for a museum cafe!.


I believe the building ownership is in the hands of a Maori group in payment for grieves settlement of the historic past. The building has been neglected and has become a negative image for the town ship right on the corner of the very hart of Te Awamutu.


This is getting better all the time, the museum has significant Maori art affects by the dozen and wants to display them at a cost of 15 million dollars in the proposed new building.


Am I missing something here?................can you join the dots?........... I have!!