2017 has been the year of change and a year of firsts

Hawke's Bay Today Assistant Editor Linda Hall.

It's been quite a year.

You could say 2017 has been the year of change and a year of firsts.

A new coalition government, therefore a new leader for our country who was just 52 days shy of being the youngest New Zealand prime minister.

Jacinda Arden was 37 years and 92 days when she was appointed Prime Minister on October 26, whereas Edward Stafford was 37 years and 40 days when he was appointed to govern New Zealand in June 2, 1856.

In a huge first for Hastings Sandra Hazlehurst was elected as Mayor – the first female mayor.

For them 2018 will be huge as the public watch them. I say good on them for putting in the hard yards to get where they are. Yes they have a job to do, but I think we need to give them a chance to do it.

Personally 2017 has been a year of some great highlights and some very, very lows - all involving family.

I've learned over the years just how important family and friends are. You just never know how long you have them for.

Workwise there have been many stories that have touched our readers' hearts and it always blows me away how generous our readers are.

Whenever we run stories about people losing everything in a house fire or thieves stealing from people who have worked hard to buy themselves some small luxury we are inundated with generous offers from readers.

You are such nice kind people.

Other stories that have stood out for me are those around water, the lack of and the taste of. I have my doubts about ever having unchlorinated water coming through our taps again.

But we will wait and see what develops in 2018.

One story that I am still finding hard to get my head around was a recent court case where a "respected community leader" was sentenced to home detention in the same home as his female victims.

Unbelievable. What kind of message does this send to the two girls who were assaulted with "fishing rods and other household items numerous times over three years after the girls came to live with them in Hawke's Bay"?

The latest because they used their cellphone in church so when they got home he smashed the phone, "whipped" them with a length of rope, punched one, and then cut their hair while holding them down.

Those poor girls. How are they meant to feel safe in a house with a man capable of doing that?

There is now a safety plan for the girls in place, but I don't think that's enough.

This man who is a "respected and highly regarded" member of the community has been abusing these girls for three years. At the very least he should be made to do an anger management course and more importantly people not associated with the family or the church should be checking on the girls.

They were brave enough to finally ask for help – I don't think they have got what they asked for.

I just hope they stay safe and that someone is watching out for them.
Perhaps in 2018 we can focus much more of the victims instead of the "highly regarded".
Have a happy and safe New Year.

Linda Hall is Hawke's Bay Today's Assistant Editor.