For instance; her serene delightfulness and I are involved in a small way in the hospitality industry here in Wanganui. We have people from all over the world in our establishment.
We make sure that folk see the very best that Wanganui has to offer - and we do have a lot worth experiencing - and here the value of the whole is more than just the sum of the parts - with our excellent restaurants, pubs, views, walks, bike rides, mountains, museum, art gallery, river, and beaches. We try to make sure that everyone who visits Wanganui leaves as our ambassador to the rest of the world.
Four young professionals from Wellington were staying here for the weekend some weeks ago - they told us that when they had told the people in their offices where they were going for the weekend the response was - are you sure you will be safe? Isn't Wanganui just a town of gangs, wild dogs, and feral families? Why would anyone want to visit there?
For us this was a good lesson in accentuating the positives - to not mention the ratbag families, but instead talk about the old world charm and beauty of our town.
Recently we hosted a young professional from Auckland. What struck her was the cynicism of the taxi drivers who she said were quick to point out the faults of our little paradise, perceptions of faults she wouldn't have known existed unless they had been pointed out. Hey guys, this was more than just one of you. She used at least six taxis. Time you got with the programme?
We need a new perception. But there is no point trying to change a perception if it is the reality. But perceptions aren't necessarily based in fact, they have their own reality. Robbie Burns said it best: O wad some Power the giftie gie us To see oursels as ithers see us!
The reality here is fine - all that matters is how others see us - truly - let's all decide to change the perception of our place, starting with our own contribution to it. How we talk about ourselves - how we present our city. It soon catches on, and is so much more effective and cheaper than the "hard sell".
If someone is offered a job here they are far more likely to accept if their family wants to come - as was seen recently when seven out of eight engineers wouldn't come because their families wouldn't shift here.
We can't blame the wives of wanting to shift when all they heard was negative and erroneous claptrap.
Perhaps as part of the offer prospective employees ought to be offered a weekend here to see the truth? And of course, if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.
Chris Northover is a Wanganui-based former corporate lawyer who has worked in the fields of aviation, tourism, health and the environment.
