Meri Kirihimete and happy holidays Porirua!
From Mayor Anita Baker
When the curtains finally closed on 2020, I think many of us hoped and expected that the trauma of that year would be little more than a speck in the rear vision mirror by this time.
With vaccines on the horizon, it was reasonable to expect something other than the Covid-19 pandemic would be the main subject of the 2021/2022 summer barbecue chatter. Sadly it was not to be, as the Delta variant significantly increased the threat level, forcing more lockdowns, mandates and restrictions.
The Wellington region got off lightly compared to Auckland, Waikato and the Far North, but we still lived in a state of perpetual anxiety that the virus would find its way here before enough of us were fully vaccinated.
In last year’s final column, I singled out frontline health and essential services workers for their sterling efforts, as well as the many volunteers across Porirua who reached out to help their neighbours and the wider community. The same goes for 2021, with many of those same people working through exhaustion along the way. Many thanks to them.
As you may be aware, Porirua and Hutt City embarked on a race to a 90% vaccination rate. It’s my sad duty to report that the Hutt beat us to the post, although the competition helped inspire a number of innovative grassroots approaches that lifted the rate in both cities.
The competition also involved a bet between Hutt City Mayor Campbell Barry and myself – the loser would have to sing in public, not something Campbell or I are noted for, or remotely comfortable doing. Thankfully, a number of my Council colleagues joined in the effort, and some of you may have had the misfortune of hearing the end product. Adele faces no threat from us, but it was all in good fun.
Another consequence of this long pandemic is that many people are feeling understandably frustrated. In some cases, this is translating into anger, mistrust and resentment, often directed at public institutions and, in very personal ways, at elected officials. I think it’s really important for local democracy that we keep this in check.
As my colleague Euon Murrell wrote earlier this year: “Once you assume the worst of everyone you disagree with, you have stopped listening. Compromise becomes impossible, and bitterness will keep growing on all sides”. That’s not the climate we want in the lead up to next year’s local body elections because it will cause a lot of people to just opt out of voting altogether, and discourage people from putting their hand up to stand for election.
Despite these stressful times, the city is in good shape. For the most part, local Porirua businesses have survived and thrived. Other indicators like unemployment are also heading in the right direction. Suburban shopping centres are performing strongly and local business start-ups are on the rise. This latter indicator tells me that many people used the lockdowns as a chance to reimagine their career paths, opting to ditch the daily commute in favour of working from, or closer to, home. The days of so-called dormant suburbs are numbered, and this trend promises even more vibrant neighbourhoods
I’d like to extend thanks to my Council colleagues, who have worked in a constructive and collegial way again the year. Thanks also to our hard-working and dedicated Council staff and contractors right throughout the organisation.
Finally, I hope you and your family have an enjoyable festive season and a restful start to the New Year.
Please note our Administration Building opening hours
20–23 December 8am to 5pm
24 December 8am to 2pm
27 Dec – 4 Jan CLOSED
5 January Normal hours resume
Follow: Facebook / Twitter
Visit: poriruacity.govt.nz
Call: (04) 237 5089
For a bit of fun, neighbours.
Have a good think about it, and let us know...
If you could invent one piece of technology to make life easier, what would it be?
Comment below with what you think would be a handy new invention - it may even already exist!
Who’s the riddle master around here?🏆🥇Let’s find out!
If Teresa's daughter is my daughter's mother, what am I to Teresa?
Do you think you know the answer? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm.
Want to stop seeing these in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.
Caution around driveways
Police are asking people to pay extra attention to driveway safety, after a number of incidents recently involving children being harmed.
Driveways can be extremely dangerous, and people need to do everything they can to ensure they keep themselves and others safe, especially where children are present.
Children move around quickly, and often won’t be seen as you are reversing down your driveway.
Always check your driveway before driving in or out, and make sure you know the whereabouts of any children.
Please use your reversing camera if your vehicle has one installed.
Alternatively, ensure all children not in the vehicle with you are accounted for.
If another adult is at the property, make them responsible for ensuring children are well clear of any moving vehicles.
If there are no other adults present, have a ‘safe spot’ for children to stand and wait for the vehicle to stop moving.
This should be somewhere in view of the driver.
Check your blind spots often, and if you can no longer see a child, stop your vehicle and move them somewhere safe before you continue driving.
If your driveway is close to the children’s play area, consider a fence or gates to separate the play area from the driveway.
You should also take the time to speak to your children about the dangers of moving vehicles and remind them that just because they can see the driver, doesn’t mean the driver can always see them.
Taking those extra few seconds to make sure our tamariki are in a safe space when you drive in and out of your driveway can help prevent so much heartache and trauma.
Remember they don’t understand the potential consequences.
Loading…
