No more hay money for hobby horses

Last week the media revisited the Christchurch of a year ago. There were many heroes and so many stories capturing the emotional turmoil engendered by the earth moving on that day in January.

Watching this recycling of trauma and loss, for us non-Cantabrians, is like seeing a favourite cousin being shaken and terrorised by a big bully who keeps coming back to give the already damaged city another round of biffo.

We feel we should be able to prevent this happening but don't know how.

Tectonic plate movement may be outside our control but it has not been for want of trying.

Collectively New Zealand has willed the earth to be still and leave Christchurch alone.

We stand on the sidelines and cheer for Christchurch as it sorts out whether it should pass the ball to the future or kick for touch. The talk of rebuilding a low-rise CBD gets loud, enthusiastic support from those who have admired the beauty of cities such as Munich.

Considered one of the beauties of Western Europe, Munich has regulated its inner-city skyline holding the height of buildings to a human scale - nothing above four stories is allowed.

For some Cantabrians, the chance to rebuild the business district of Christchurch excites visions of towering office blocks where every additional floor means extra rental revenue.

For the ordinary citizens of Christchurch, watching the ongoing squabbling within the Christchurch City Council must feel like being a child who can hear their parents bickering and arguing instead of listening and paying attention to the things that really matter.

Not only in Christchurch but all around the country, ratepayers are questioning whether councils are really a great example of democracy at work. The constant noise made by clashing egos has drowned out the voices of citizens.

Perhaps elected councillors should be appointed on a 90-day trial and then, if they get past this probation period, they remain in office until the next election.

This would certainly sort out the "we don't attend meetings" people and those who feel it is their God-given duty to waste time and ratepayer money on hay to feed their personal hobby horses.

The clamour, noise and nonsense emanating from our local council meetings can now be heard echoing on in the DHB boardroom as well.

The shortage of key health specialists is nothing new, nor is it unique to our district.

Our situation is but one snapshot in a line-up of the nationwide health workforce crisis.

Most DHBs have heavy debt burdens and little influence on national policy. Rather than labour under the illusion that DHBs can deliver on community concerns about the health of local services, a message needs to be taken to government and addressed directly to the minister.

Whanganui needs to take care. There is a real risk that the escalating emotional reaction to the issue may distract from the critical message being delivered by the O & Gs; that the safety and quality of maternity services is paramount.

+ Terry Sarten lives in Whanganui and is a parent, social worker, musician and writer. Email: tgs@inspire.net.nz