The Christmas season is supposed to bring people together in many ways, and this is much needed in Kaitaia.
The Saturday market which operates every week of the year, come rain or shine, by a stalwart group of people, has been denied the opportunity to sell and provideits wares for the public on Christmas Eve. This gives a little extra to the stallholders, and is a great asset for last-minute shoppers, who would otherwise leave the business area of the town earlier in the day, around 3pm, and the place will look sad and deserted.
The FNDC, for some reason known only to themselves, have denied a permit for the Christmas Eve market this year. The Warehouse are in favour of having it, as are most of the town businesses, except for one or two grinches who, in exercising self-interest, are missing out on the community spirit.
We missed out on our Santa parade/concert this year as well, so only hope the New Year can see the beginning of a progressive town all pulling together.
There are exciting projects starting to happen, such as the old Pak'nSave building being converted for youth activities and the sports hub starting to develop on the Moerua Park area, next to the A&P showgrounds and netball courts. These facilities will provide excellent art, culture, sport and recreation places for people to congregate.
There will be lots of work to make this happen, but the morale of the story is 'when a community pulls together everyone benefits in one way or another.'
