Goodbye's can be tough and I've had a week of them.
Today was my final day as editor of Hawke's Bay Today and saying farewell to numerous people in the community really gives you cause for reflection.
I have to conclude that the opportunity to edit Hawke's Bay Today has been one of the best things to happen to me. And I'm not talking only in a professional or career sense, although it has been beneficial in that respect, of course.
But what really defines my experience of living in Hawke's Bay is the people and the place. From high-achieving professionals to the most humble of readers of our newspaper, the people of Hawke's Bay are an amazing lot. Welcoming, down to earth, quick to laugh, caring and resilient, Hawke's Bay-ites are well aware they are privileged to live in one of the finest regions of New Zealand. They know what is great about the Bay but they are also increasingly concerned about and paying attention to aspects that need fixing (for nowhere is perfect) - whether they be social, environmental or economic/employment issues.
It is heartening to see some of the debate and initiatives under way to build a better Hawke's Bay, for I am sure we now well and truly realise that the answers must come from within. But these are worthy challenges for people possessed of the same steely spirit that saw this place through the disastrous earthquake of 1931 and the body blows of the closures of Tomoana and Whakatu.
My thanks to all the people who have supported Hawke's Bay Today through a period of renewal and reconnection with the community and I am proud we have achieved circulation and readership gains in the past two years.
My particular thanks to the staff at Hawke's Bay Today, from the GM to the journalists to the young guy who delivers my paper each day. You're talented people and I wish you and new editor Andrew Austin every success with your switch to morning delivery on Monday.
My wife, Andrea, and I intend to keep a home in Hawke's Bay even though work is taking us offshore for now.
Our son, Benjamin, was born in difficult circumstances in Hawke's Bay and we would like to thank everyone in the community who showed support for us at that time. We remain very grateful.
Ben is now one and doing extremely well. He is very special to us. A bit like this place.