Opinion: People make Hawke's Bay the place to be

Monique Heke and Henry Heke

Hawke's Bay is such a beautiful place to live, we have great weather, fresh food and produce is plentiful, but most importantly we have really good people here.

Take for example when we moved from Wellington and brought our home in Flaxmere. I recall someone said to me "why did you move to Flaxmere?" My response was "what's wrong with Flaxmere?"

I can say that after 10 years living in Flaxmere, it was a great decision.

We are surrounded by the best neighbours, ones that look out for you (and your dog who sometimes escapes), they are the ones that give you the friendly wave and "morena whaea" as you go to get the mail.

They never complain when visitors park outside their houses or about our music, laughter, and kids yelling, why would we want to move?

Flaxmere has the best fruit and vege shop, Gagan's on Henderson Rd, there is a mobile coffee unit, Ka Pai Cuppa Waka, and Shelley will always be there with a friendly smile and kōrero.

Our local chemist staff are very friendly. Lastly, not to forget the Flaxmere Library staff
- they are super stars they are so amazing, especially with all the kids that come in to use the computers, I have often watched and admired how they interact with all the kids.

Change is a good thing. A little while ago, our local New World was sold and the new owner has made changes to the opening and closing hours, the store layout, new chillers and trolleys.

I have not yet met the owner but if you're reading this, thank you! I see too that the BP has now been taken over and is now Allied. Wow, overnight difference in price, petrol that is actually cheaper than town!

So like the whakatauki, he aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata (what is the greatest thing in the world? It is people, people, people).

Don't underestimate the power of people, friendliness, smiles, helping hands, these make a difference. These people, like our neighbours, make a positive difference.

*Monique and Henry Heke were contestants on reality TV show My Kitchen Rules and had their own food show on Maori Television, Tradition on a Plate. Their column runs fortnightly.