Roger Moroney: We are in the right place

Roger Moroney, staff reporter and columnist, Hawke's Bay Today.

I was talking to a long-time local the other day and we were nattering on about how the spring was finally emerging, in terms of the rise (albeit still slight at this stage) in temperatures.

So there's a bit of wind about - at least the ground is starting to warm up and there is no need to hang the washing in the garage to keep it dry.

And the temperatures are gaining momentum.

We also chatted briefly about the madness emerging up North Korea way and the potential for a bit of a global speed wobble.

And at one stage he threw out the line "we're in the right place".

Which I applied to two things.

One is that this fine landscape of Hawke's Bay is far, far away from the conflict danger zones and I daresay is viewed universally with some envy.

And after a wander along a stretch of Marine Parade and seeing a group of visiting school youngsters excitedly dashing about the pathways and features under blue skies I figured yeah, not a bad sort of place to be.

The region is fortunate to have people who are genuinely passionate to echo the words "we're in the right place".

When I speak to the crew at the i-Site or Hawke's Bay Tourism or any of the wineries, and any tourism-related business for that matter, there is an honest buzz to it all.

They all roll out the "we're in the right place" philosophy and they clearly embrace it.

That becomes very clear when FAWC emerges, as it will again in early November, for this is an event that brings people here to help the locals enjoy the fine venues and fine wines and nosh we produce.

And cruise ship numbers are increasing year by year, as is the financial boon to the Bay.

Art Deco brightens the landscape and the cycle and walk pathways criss-cross it nicely.

There are exhibitions and open-air concerts lining up as well as sporting, fundraising and touring shows.

There's a good feel to things as spring blooms, and Summer FAWC underlines that with some 70 events on the menu.

We fly our flag well.

We are indeed in the right place.