Media focus an anonymous accusations against MP disappointing

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Opinion

What have we come to when we start picking on people in the public arena, on the word of  someone who goes to the news media but will not give their name?

Shame on them. If it’s good enough to mention someone else, then you should stand by your accusation with your name.

Radio NZ also, which continuously carries on the discussion of the representative for Tairāwhiti. It would be good to see you write to the politicians about the good things Kiritapu Allan has done. Though I am not in her electorate, many people have told me of her good deeds for the East Coast in the past six months.

As we come into this election campaign, let us focus on what each party has to offer for the betterment of New Zealand.

Keep the elections clean and not personal. Then we, the electors, can look forward to understanding what each party would have in store for us.

A word now for the news media. Your job is not an easy one but keep it so that we can understand the pros and cons of what the politicians and candidates have to offer. Do not get into personalities or “maybes” or “what I’ve heard” and “stuff”.

I am a bit disappointed that you have reported accusations against the MP the way you have done, without any evidence. Just remember, nobody is guilty until they are proven guilty, and nobody is perfect.

So to the “staffer” concerned who started this. You need to learn how to be honest and upfront, otherwise you are damaging someone’s reputation without grounds.

I remember the honourable Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan said to me one day over a cup of tea, “some of us must be crazy to work in such a place”. She went on to say, “we have to try to help each other — first look at ourselves, and help those who are supposed to be helped”. She also said that sometimes staff do not understand the pressures that a minister is under.

Well done to our Tairāwhiti rep — have a good break.

In peace,

Pauline E Tangiora

JP, QSO, QSM

Mahia