Tommy Wilson: I'm not sad to see you go

The Blessing Tree - a reminder of God showing off.

Oh sweet summertime, you have arrived when we needed you most, as we farewell a year that for some was an annus horribilis of a bad year, with very few highs and a lot of lows. But that was then.

Right now, as we farewell 2015, there is an aura of curiosity and apprehension of a year to look forward to in 2016 and for many living in fear, a miracle is all they can hope for.

What we can pin our hopes on is what is happening in our own back yard. Nationally, the honeymoon of a World Cup win is still on the radar over the holidays and all is well with the world, until the next Isis crisis hits the headlines.

Locally, there is a sea change of positivity and we could well see a hongi - a breath of life back into the CBD of Tauranga, starting off with a Say Yes to a TDS - Tauranga Domain Stadium.

Just as there is within the walls of the Rotorua City Council there is a new breath of life between the voice of Tauranga Moana Maori and the civic leaders who want to see a soul for their city.

Word on the Kumara Vine is the say yes brigade are marshalling their troops for a serious crack at sitting at the decision-making table within council and the days of being handbraked by naysayers for saying nays sake are well and truly numbered.

Standing on the outside looking in (yes I have been listening to a lot of Jimmy Barnes lately, courtesy of a Christmas CD) what we need is a huge hongi - a fresh breath of life, locally, nationally and across this rock we are riding through the universe.

We can't change the world but we can do something about our own back yard.

Personally it's one day at a time and taking the time to smile back at the ever presence of god showing off. When I walk past the pohutukawa tree in all its beauty I will mihi (greet) more to it, as I did this morning to the jacaranda "Blessing Tree" when it laid down its cloak of purple petals for me to marvel at.

My' how times have changed as the clock of old age ticks louder, but then again old age is a privilege not all of us will get to savour and there have been a few whanau and friends pass on far too early over this last year.

Spending more time with givers and less with takers is on my New Year's hit list. Catching every wave possible on my boogie board, looking like a beached whale but feeling like the late great Bruce Bennett in the green room is a must, as is more time listening to Jimmy Barnes and Jesus - both of whom come from the working class and preach a gospel of hands that serve are holier than lips that pray.

To squat more and eat raw and walk those 8000 steps a day to a warrant of fitness is not so much a New Year's resolution as it is a promise to my mokopuna.

Now is the hour we will sing in a few more sleeps and now is the time for us all to walk the talk of our ancestors and founding fathers, who wanted for nothing more than a peaceful planet to play on.

As we hurtle through the universe, riding this rock called Earth, none of us know where we will be this time next year.

What we do know is it has been and it will be - one hell of a ride. Haere ra 2015, I can't say I am sad to see you go. Haere mai 2016, haere mai heavenly hongi - it's time for a new breath of life.