Dialogue: This new citizen revels in refuge from a cruel world

Winners of the essay competition sponsored by the Auckland City Council and the New Zealand Herald in advance of New Zealand Writers Week were announced yesterday. Scond prize was awarded to Kawther Hamdi,of St Heliers, for "Why I love Auckland."

By KAWTHER HAMDI

Auckland, my city. I quite like the sound of it. I feel I belong, and I feel that at last I have anchored my ship in a haven.

The first time I set my eyes on Auckland, two years ago, it was love at first sight. This love has not wavered; indeed it has deepened and changed my life for good.

I remember my first encounter with Auckland. Arriving at the airport after a long and tiring trip, I was expecting the frustrating questions that are usually asked by the passport officer.

To my utter surprise, the first and only question he asked was: "How are the children in Iraq?" I was so touched that tears filled my eyes.

My son picked me up and he took a long route to show me some of Auckland's sights. He cruised along Tamaki Drive and I gave a cry of joy. You would think that this cry would have ceased after two years of constant cruising along this spot but, no, that cry has become louder. The sight of the sea and the natural beauty surrounding it never ceases to give me joy and wonderment at God's beautiful gift to this place.

I admit there are numerous beautiful spots all over the world. Each city has its beauty and its special features. But Auckland offers its beauty to everyone, is within reach and can be enjoyed with little effort and the minimum of cost. One can choose any beach to walk on or to swim in and it is open and free. The sea is not obstructed by buildings and expensive restaurants, but is open and welcoming.

There is an Arabic proverb that says: "A paradise without people is not to be desired." This paradise has the best people anywhere. Where else in the world would you get smiles and greetings from strangers just passing you down the street, despite your foreign looks?

The first day I moved into my present home, a beautiful neighbour knocked on my door with a bouquet of lovely flowers welcoming me into my home. This lady became a very dear friend, whose friendship I shall cherish all my life. Every single day I discover a pleasant surprise and an amazing fact about the people of Auckland.

The community participation and involvement is formidable. The generosity of the people is amazing. No wonder God smiles down on Auckland, where people help each other. They give serious time and effort and sometimes compete to give more for those less privileged.

People and the media keep harping on about the accelerating crime in the city. I am sorry to say that they exaggerate; they have not seen cities with crimes. I have not felt safer anywhere else in the world and, believe me, I have seen some.

Auckland for me is full of paradoxes: it has an endearing simplicity but at the same time it has a certain sophistication of its own. It has the old and the new, and the old is so palpable that one can still touch and feel it. It has modesty and pride, or should I say a modest pride.

Auckland is embracing the majority of skilled immigrants arriving in New Zealand from all over the world. It is now the base of an evolving mixture of nationalities. I can see that soon Auckland will have a dynamic society versatile in culture, attitude, abilities and character. It is a sure ingredient for the rich and outstanding progress of a city. Auckland thus succeeds all the big cities of the world, such as London, New York and Paris, where decades ago those cities enriched its societies in the same way.

Oh no, I have not forgotten Auckland's designation as the City of Sails. I am sure that all of us have on many occasions been enchanted by the numerous white sails cruising serenely over the blue sea on a sunny day.

Auckland has become the City of Sails par excellence after many international sails competed for the America's Cup on its shores. It was a wonderful time for all of us, even for a novice like me getting excited, albeit my ignorance of the rules of the game. Auckland made us proud and was a wonderful hostess to such an elite group of visitors.

May Auckland always become a source of pride and joy to its inhabitants. May it always rule supreme over all the cities in New Zealand. May it embrace all those who need a refuge from the cruel world.

Long live Auckland.

* Kawther Hamdi is in her 60s, lives in St Heliers, and has been taking a writing course.