Vision can save us from ourselves . . .

Clive Bibby

Opinion

So much has happened since Cyclones Gabrielle and Hale delivered what might be the killer blow to the hopes and dreams of some decent, law-abiding contributors to this region’s and the nation’s economy.

It is as if the world stood still for hours, days and weeks after the storms left their respective paths of destruction across what had been some of the most pristine countryside on the planet.

Although the local contractors and administrators are working overtime to help isolated communities get back in touch with the world, little has changed on many farms to enable them to resume business as usual.

And unfortunately, so much of being able to achieve that objective depends on those who will control the narrative going forward.

Sadly, we are now seeing the re-emergence of privileged special-interest groups demanding a place at the table where decisions will be made about the region’s future.

If that happens — which seems likely — we will end up in worse shape than we were before the cyclones struck.

Having said that, there is an opportunity for our local and central govt leaders to ignore the clamour for apportioning blame and noise from self-interest groups, in order to focus on what needs to be done.

That in itself is a pretty tall order for people who have spent years looking after their own position in society. But we simply can’t afford to spend the next few months and years squabbling over who should dictate the manner of our survival.

The only way to avoid the consequences of bad decision-making will be to appoint people with the experience and proven ability for impartially doing the right thing. Nothing less will go even close to getting this special place in Godzone to a situation where vision has become reality.

In spite of what looks like an impossible task, we do have quite a few things going for us that should enable the community to achieve much of what should be in a visionary Long Term Plan.

Firstly, we have amongst our number people of integrity and a history of service that sets them apart from the average Joe Blow.

They have the skills to identify the areas where money needs to be spent, allowing the productive sector to readjust to a restructured economy. However, none of this will be easy. It will take commitments from every person living within the Tairāwhiti boundaries to play their part.

And while we are going through this “game-changing” process, there will be a need to maintain support for our vulnerable citizens.

The good news is that it can be done. I have every confidence that we have within our midst, people who can lead us all to the promised land. The trick is to not spend endless amounts of time that we don’t have debating the issues.

Let’s just do it.