Our heritage needs to be on display

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

Opinion

I wish once again to help focus people’s attention on things that should concern us all.

I am well aware that my contributions don’t always fit with the priority list of other commentators. Quite a few are convinced that my choices are motivated by self-interest or even political persuasion.

In fact, I have no interest in those angles at all — simply a desire to unmask the factors that are limiting this beautiful region from achieving the aspirational goals of us all.

When planning a column, I try to do a reasonable amount of research into the background of my subject before adding that information to the conclusions reached, which are mainly based on a lifetime of experiences.

The end result isn’t always one that will satisfy those who want to have a crack at me personally or question my integrity. Unfortunately, that comes with the territory and I have a choice to either wait for the editor to call a halt or just ride off into the sunset as the “frustrated old white male” that my detractors have chosenas the best description of my efforts.

Sorry to disappoint, but I have no intention of doing either. Watch this space.

So, to this week’s opinion piece.

I was extremely interested to read the article “Vikings of the Sunrise” in last Saturday’s edition of The Gisborne Herald, particularly as it encapsulates a number of issues that I believe are limiting the growth of the Tairawhiti tourism sector.

Readers will have already digested my opinions about the possibilities for building iconic tourist attractions based on our unique dual heritage, and will have understood my suggestions that achieving the perfect model will require the involvement of all sectors of our cosmopolitan society — each contributing their ownhistories, written by members of their own hapu. The end result would have the potential to knock the socks off any other region challenging for the title of “Jewel in the Crown”.

It is important to note again observations made in the past when referring to the pioneers who have set the standard for this process, delivering incredible results from limited resources.

The article about Rongowhakaata’s journey in last Saturday’s paper is a classic example of what is possible. Their magnificent exhibition, currently attracting thousands of viewers at Te Papa in Wellington, sets the standard I have described. It is a high bar but one that is a pre-requisite for all the other community groups whowant to add their stories to a combined presentation.

While not wanting to be critical of any aspect of this hugely important work, I think it is worth commenting on a couple of associated issues that the piece raised, even unintentionally.

Rongowhakaata spokespersons referred to other regional iwi who have had different experiences over the centuries living in this area, and encouraged their neighbours to tell their own stories —warts and all. I hope that encouragement will not fall on deaf ears because Rongowhakataa’s history is only part of the total

package, including all aspects of Pakeha contribution to the combined tale — again, warts and all.

My other concern is the result of recent conversations with council representatives, who appear reluctant to accept this wonderful opportunity to lead this project as the facilitator — empowering the individual contributors by organising the financial resources that will enable the different groups to complete their own segmentof the whole.

I am disappointed by the responses from the council as they have the capacity to engage with a sympathetic Government and make use of the Provincial Growth Fund to put in place a package that ensures the tourism sector reaches its potential, as a critical part of any restructured economy.

I have criticised our leaders in the past for being a reactionary council.

Surely, this is a golden opportunity for them to show that they are capable of being visionary for once.

This project alone could fill the empty Long-Term Plan cupboard with inspirational ideas for developing this and other projects that fairly represent the people’s aspirations.

We have a heritage, the quality and diversity of which is second to none — yet we appear to be absconding from our responsibility to effectively put it on display in memory of all those generations who worked so hard to give us the opportunities we enjoy today.

They deserve better than that.

Rongowhakaata have shown what can be done. We can build on their efforts and make us all proud.