Plenty of good news stories
Last week I read about Kaitaia resident Naomi Austen-Reid. In one simple act, Naomi has expressed the frustration many of us feel in the Far North.
She was sick of hearing bad news about her home town Kaitaia, a town she loves and a community that she says gets a raw deal in our media.
But she decided to do something about it. She asked her Facebook friends to help put the story straight by sharing their support for Kaitaia using the hashtag #ilovekaitaia.
I agree with Naomi. I think there's a danger that the bad news becomes the only news. It's important to also remind ourselves about the good stories, about the things that happen all around us every day that make this a great town and a great district to live in.
As mayor, I see those stories each and every day. Believe me, there are hundreds happening all across the Far North - people helping their neighbours, communities getting a sports team to the final, community groups fundraising to keep a preschool open.
We have a lot to proud of in the Far North, and the people of Kaitaia are no different.
Here's just a few examples of good stories in Kaitaia.
Just this week Te Hiku Community Board agreed to support Kaitaia's He Whanau Marama Charitable Trust put on a midwinter family event called Far North's Got Talent.
The evening will be an opportunity for the whole community to gather and support the wonderful creativity and individuality of their youth.
It will be, the trust says, a night of fun and entertainment that brings youth, parents and grandparents together; a night that will strengthen links across the whole community.
The trust knows it's tough for many of our youth, no matter where they live. Far North's Got Talent is just one way to tell their rangitahi they are supported and valued.
Open the Curtains is an initiative that has only been running this year, but is already having a positive impact on some of our most vulnerable.
The programme is named for families who live behind closed curtains. It's often about families being embarrassed by how little they have, rather than having what they shouldn't.
Open the Curtains works with families one at a time, helping them to help themselves by getting children back into school, attending doctors' appointments and finding direction where there was none.
My last example started three years ago, when the Government challenged Kaitaia to come up with a plan of its own to create the community it wants. Make it Happen Te Hiku is still going strong, changing and improving the lives of Te Hiku whanau. Check out their Facebook page to see how the Make it Happen Te Hiku is working with communities to create positive stories for Kaitaia.
Kai Ora Honey is just one example.
And that's what Naomi Austen-Reid is talking about. Kaitaia is not about the bad stories that every New Zealand community can tell. It's about the positive stories that rarely make front pages.
Kaitaia is full of those stories. Stories of a strong, resilient community whose people will be here, working hard, long after the news crews have packed up and gone home.
JOHN CARTER
Waipapakauri Ramp