In our community service, it is the drive to run a better gala and raise more money, coach the kids to a higher standard so they finish better in the tournament, running faster, scoring more runs, dotting down more tries and shooting more baskets, slotting more goals. The business keeps going despite the cycle of politics.
One challenge for a Member of Parliament is to fix things when they get stuck for people coming through the door.
Whether it be arguments with government agencies like ACC, immigration, health, welfare, education or police, those issues are always a bit tougher once they hit our office because if the criteria were met, then the door would open without our help.
So many queries and problems we deal with are already difficult by the time they are raised with us. Somebody in authority has already said "no", and challenging a decision is always harder once it is made.
Another role for an MP is to try and light a fire under those who sit away from the electorate yet make decisions affecting our people. We deal with employers, ministers of the Crown, government servants and bureaucrats who decide whether or not to place services, start businesses or change delivery in and around the electorate.
Probably the biggest job in the fix-it business is the untangling of red tape - the regulation which prevents a business initiative going ahead that might create 10 new jobs; the smoothing of a bureaucratic procedure which would allow the solving of a problem for the department, which doesn't even concern the private business owner, except that a regulation would trigger a response.
The poke with a big stick to the official who won't move quickly enough to start or stop the bureaucratic machine because "... we've always done it this way ..." to the detriment of the customer is a constant task for an electorate MP.
The celebrations of achievement - business awards, the Alpine Club annual meeting this Saturday night, attending the rugby games, like at Whanganui this weekend, school prize-givings - are all neat occasions, but are only a small part of what goes on behind the scenes.
Many matters handled are confidential, personal or commercially sensitive, so can't be talked about. For every criticism, there are many bouquets.
With grateful thanks to my staff in Whanganui, Hawera and Wellington, I look forward to the challenges and rewards of another three years serving the city, towns, suburbs, rural communities and special interests within the (now expanded) Whanganui electorate.
