Editorial: Farewell Horowhenua Chronicle – celebrating a community’s stories and people

From this to that: there may be over 100 years between these two front pages of the Horowhenua Chronicle – formerly known as the Horowhenua Daily Chronicle – but both put a spotlight on what's important: the people.

EDITORIAL

He aha te mea nui o te ao?

He tangata, he tangata, he tangata.

Most people know the above Māori proverb, and its translation. “What is the most important thing in the world? It is the people, it is the people, it is the people.”

I’ve always liked that proverb, and it has always rung true for me, but the proverb has become even more meaningful for me over the past month or so.

Since the news broke that our community paper, along with 13 other titles owned by NZME, was to close, I have been thinking about the history of the Horowhenua Chronicle, and what a community paper really is.

The answer, of course, is he tangata.

This paper, or any community paper, is made up of the stories of the people. The good news stories that so many of you shared with us over the years, as well as the stories about facing challenges or hardship. Stories about how people have stood up for what they believe in, and stories about people who have challenged the status quo. Stories about people excelling, academically, in sport, in business or in other ways, and stories about people achieving great things.

Over the years, editions of the Horowhenua Chronicle have been packed with photos of school events, Christmas parades, sport competitions, A&P shows, talent quests, church events, Anzac services, markets, the list goes on.

Looking back through the archives of the Horowhenua Chronicle is like taking a beautiful stroll through our community’s history. From business openings to school stories, sporting success to Lions or Rotary Club fundraisers, the common theme has always been the people.

It is the people who have made this town all that it is. While the Horowhenua Chronicle might not be here in the future to report on those great people doing great things, and there might be fewer photos of parades, services, school events and community fundraisers in print for future generations to look back at, the great things done by great people won’t stop happening.

So here’s to the future, thanks for all the memories, and thanks for making the Horowhenua Chronicle all that it has been - full of the great stuff happening right here in the region.

From all of us at the Horowhenua Chronicle, thanks for letting us be part of your stories.

Ilona

Ilona Hanne has been the acting editor of the Horowhenua Chronicle in recent months while the editor has been on ACC leave. She is a Taranaki-based journalist who covers breaking and community news from across the regions. She has worked for NZME since 2011.