Cutting back the tall poppy syndrome

New Zealanders are apparently afflicted with the rare but highly contagious Tall Poppy Syndrome. Any flowering of talent is immediately cut back to size by our aversion to "showing off".

This affects us to such an extent that anybody with a modicum of skill flies away to other countries to make their name in their chosen field. Once someone has received international recognition, we then claim them back as one of us, conveniently forgetting that we had dismissed them as no hopers and upstarts while they worked to develop their talent.

Bret McKenzie is a classic example. He has just won an Oscar for a song he wrote for the Muppet movie. We collectively puff our chests with pride and pat ourselves on the back for once again being described as "punching above our weight" on the world stage.

Have we forgotten that when Flight of the Conchords were touting their wares to TVNZ, they were turned away because management could not see how it could be funny? If the programme had come from overseas, as so much of the rubbish currently on offer does, they probably would have fallen over themselves to get it on air, but it was not deemed good enough for NZ television.

A measure of how bad that decision was is evident in the fact that Flight of the Conchords went on to be a major hit in America. Their droll parody on our national skill for talking ourselves up when there is no substance to support the assertions, while ignoring real talent, was incredibly funny.

The Flight of the Conchords' success story illustrates a puzzling paradox. We are wary of those who project genuine talent but remain willing to fall for the bullshit artists who want to sell us their schemes and take our money for nothing. The recent court cases of those involved in the collapse of various finance companies is a perfect example of this phenomenon.

Why is this? Is it because we are challenged by those with real talent - as opposed to fake-believe? Is it the niggling thought that someone might actually have earned success through hard work that leaves the rest of us muttering into our mochaccinos?

Most musicians, artists, inventors and creative people have spent years perfecting their skills. A lot of time is spent trying ideas and facing the risk of ego-demolishing criticism or public indifference. Once fame reaches international proportions, talented New Zealanders suddenly belong to us all and we laud their achievements. Too often we then diminish their talent by parading them alongside those empty vessels called celebrities.

We need to watch for the small poppies (that includes short people playing in small venues) and give them room to develop their style, while providing useful support and feedback. The tricky bit is spotting and supporting those with sustainable real skills and talent as they work to make their mark on the world.

Locally venues such as the Whanganui Music Club nights at the Savage Club hall are leading by example. Clutching their chosen instrument tightly in the hope this will ward of stage fright and nerves, local musicians have over the past two years found Whanganui audiences friendly and always willing to give something new a hearing.

Out of town bands that have come here to play at either the Musicians Club or Space Monster have all been stunned by the enthusiastic way Whanganui audiences nourish and sustain tall poppies. It is clearly a local resource worthy of wider promotion.

Terry Sarten lives in Whanganui and describes himself as a musician, writer, social worker and shorter version of a Tall Poppy. Email: tgs@inspire.net.nz