Right from the start Helen Clark was always a long shot for the job. It was clear she had the required experience and skills, but so often "it's not what you know but who you know" that carries the day. I wanted Helen Clark to be successful. She is highly employable where vision, strategy and fearless leadership are required. She has another 12 months in her current position. I just can't picture a retired Helen living the quiet life.
We saw former Conservative Party leader Colin Craig making an ass of himself. Before and during his court appearance. And for a while it appeared he couldn't let it go. He was found guilty of defaming Taxpayers' Union executive director Jordan Williams and was going to appeal his sentence. He didn't want to stump up with New Zealand's largest defamation pay-out of nearly $1.3m in damages.
John Key must have fine-tuned insight. Thank goodness he kept Craig out of Parliament two years ago. He must have decided that as Conservative Party leader Craig might not have the required personal character to be a stable and trustworthy coalition partner. Good call Prime Minister.
Trusting relationships are important in government and business. How to foster, use and respect them. In our personal lives they're paramount. All Black Aaron Smith needs a refresher course. What was he thinking? The problem is he probably wasn't thinking at all. Just instant gratification. No thought of any possible repercussions. I'm thinking of his partner here, not the reputation of rugby or his disappointed teammates and fans.
A relationship where trust is casually kicked to the kerb, put to one side when "no one is looking" is not worth hanging on to. Unfortunately for Smith there was someone looking. I hope his partner listens to good advice: "break it off and put him behind you".
And liars usually come unstuck at some stage too. The American Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte has paid an enormous price for not telling the truth. One night out with the boys drinking and acting badly has put paid to his future. He can kiss goodbye to the millions of dollars of sponsorship and product endorsements that would have set him up financially for life.
Sponsors have expectations of good behaviour from those they invest in and can end deals for bad behaviour. The moral of the story, when caught out is "own up and take responsibility" as soon as possible. We can all make stupid mistakes. Don't make matters worse by digging yourself further into a hole by outright lying.
After 18 weeks' wait for the three elections to pass, I was delighted to score the trifecta.
Elected to the Rotorua Lakes Council, Lakes District Health Board and the Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust.
I take my work seriously as I'm sure the people who voted for me would expect. I am happy to put in the required effort and am always receptive to feedback on how well, or otherwise, the council and DHB are doing. I can now add RECT to that.
I have chuckled in the past 12 months when I have seen myself referred to as a member of the "mayor's power bloc". I do agree with the mayor on many matters, that's true. It is equally true that I think for myself, speak my own mind and don't curry favour with any person. I shall continue in this vein over the next three years. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to continue to serve our beautiful city and district.
So now it's back to meeting my column's deadline. I look forward to our weekly catch up.
