Lillian Grace: Together we can realise dreams

Lillian Grace

Imagine sitting in the sun with pen and paper in hand in 2025, just 10 years from now, and writing a description of Hawke's Bay. What it looks like as you drive through, the job choices people have, the lifestyle choices people have, and what the community spirit and safety is like.

Actually imagine. It's yours to shape, after all.

My guess is it's a bit different from how you would describe it today. And I think the first step in getting from here to there, is being together.

I hate the word amalgamation. It sounds clinical and at a distance from value and from people. What you are being asked to consider now isn't clinical and distanced - it's a choice about people and about the place you live in.

It is about a group of people having the opportunity to choose to be together, and to choose to be better, together. Given the difficult things that need to be managed through the process, and that it is unlikely to suddenly make things more efficient and cheaper, the only reason I can see you would choose to be together is if you believe the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

That happens when all the parts working together result in something far greater than would be possible by adding individual efforts together. Like pieces of an orchestra coming together. It doesn't mean everyone plays the same instrument, but it does mean everyone knows their part and is playing to the same piece of music to make something extraordinary.

Similarly, Hawke's Bay choosing to be together doesn't mean the parts become the same. To the contrary, it means all the special pieces can be recognised and brought together in a way that showcases their unique offering.

But it's not possible to make music without the pieces working together. And Hawke's Bay is not working well together, yet.

A cohesive view of the region would allow us to better identify issues and opportunities and attract ideas and initiatives, both international and domestic, to the region. For example, a regional administration could allow an overview of all the jobs in the region, allowing an understanding of what gaps there are so as to decide what to focus on, ensure the right people are being trained for the right thing, and attract the experts that are needed.

If the region unites, I too am concerned about what happens next. I'm concerned about who leads it, how brave they will be and how much they are willing to truly listen and work together with others. But that is a secondary problem, and one that together - we can solve.

Hawke's Bay is a wonderful place. But is it the best it can be?

Dare dream what would be possible if we worked together with one another. Keep the unique character of each community, build upon each one's strengths, and work together to solve weaknesses.

Imagine what can be done, together.

- Lillian Grace grew up in Hawke's Bay and is the CEO of Figure.NZ