Clive Bibby: The shake up we all need

The East Coast of New Zealand has a somewhat disastrous natural history due to its proximity to the “off shore” Hikurangi and other more localised fault lines - most notable being the 1931 Napier and 2011 Christchurch earthquakes. 

While the deaths and destruction of property associated with these calamitous events will forever be ingrained in our social fabric history, on reflection, we can look back on them as a prerequisite for much needed change - albeit arguably the least attractive of choices if we had the opportunity to chose. 

There is no question that both the Napier and Christchurch cities and environs are the beneficiaries of the changes that were forced upon them. 

Had they not occurred, it is probable that both communities would have remained vulnerable to future seismic events that might not have been so easily overcome. 

I am of course rather cynically referring to leadership paralysis that too often limits the fulfilment of local economic potential and human aspirations - the results of their tenure are in my view, just as destructive as a seismic event. 

For the purposes of this observation, I will refer to those moribund leaders as being in need of a long over-due “shake up!” 

Having identified the root cause of our civic stagnation, it would be unfair to not include ourselves as being partly responsible for this regrettable state of affairs. 

By accepting the blame for continuing to elect people who choose to ignore the will of the people we must also recognise that we have it within ourselves to change the way we have been doing things. No doubt there will be those amongst us who are frightened of making decisions that might come back to haunt us but this timid approach has got us nowhere so being bold as we venture into the unknown is a calculated step that could pay huge dividends. 

And there are good reasons why we should be confident. 

One of the most important is that the safeguards against failure are and have always been available to us as a community.

Put simply, we have to put our faith in people with proven ability to operate selflessly on our behalf.

There should be no room for division based on race, sexual or political  preference. 

Those with inflated opinions of their own self worth or entitlements should be told to go somewhere else because there is no longer room for their destructive idealogically based opinions or self serving programs. We are better off putting our trust in those who are capable of leading us to the promised land.

My personal experience has shown that there is no shortage of people with the skills and intellectual clout who can make it happen. 

The “shake up” we need is in our hands. 

Let’s do it.

Clive Bibby is a commentator, consultant, farmer and community leader, who lives in Tolaga Bay.