8th - Kaipara Konnection - Dargaville.BIZ

“Illegal aliens have always been a problem in the United
States. Ask any Indian.” -- Robert Orben
longer done on open fires, umu, or by placing the foot in kete (baskets) made of harakeke (flax) into thermal bores.
Today we cook using electricity which was first explored by Thales, a Greek gentleman, who lived in the Northern
Hemisphere c. 624 BC – c. 546 BC. That is some significant time before there was any know human settlement in this
Southern Hemisphere country so it seems to be stretching the imagination to learn that this physical phenomenon is
part of a Treaty of Waitangi claim for customary rights.
Unwillingness or inability to change has seen the demise of many traditional organisations and institutions. 50 years ago
every town and city in New Zealand had its Boy Scouts, Boys Brigade, RSA, Lodges, Men’s Clubs, at least one movie
theatre, several milk bars, a mandatory fish and chip shop, and so on. Most churches were full on Sundays and had
multiple services to cater for the needs of their congregations. Look around today. Little remains of these icons in many
small towns except in museums and people’s, never looked, at photo albums. Even photos are now almost a thing of
the past as digital imaging takes over. Newspapers that kept little towns and big cities up to date with events are gone
– all gobbled up by the media magnates who focus on the big picture and have no interest in the day to day events of
towns like Paparoa or Dargaville.
Resistance to change is still strong in some towns. The total corruption that has characterised the conduct of the
Kaipara District Council and its employees over the last few years has flourished because of unwillingness to change.
Dargaville as a town allows this to happen because there is a total unwillingness to accept that the world has moved
on. What was OK for the town 50 years ago is still the only way to go today and heaven help anyone who challenges
this. Would somebody please write a letter to the editor and explain when Tokatoka and Maungaraho Rock moved away
from Hokianga Road? Tourism publications and other local promotional media all refer to these two hills in promotional
material about Dargaville. For heavens sake - they are not even in Dargaville township – they are certainly viewable
from some parts of the town – so why continuously refer to them as if they are in the town? Simple answer – its always
been done that way. Like the 40 year old photos historian Noel Hilliam took from the cockpit of his private aircraft that
are still picked out and used ad nauseum.
Following on from the above it is time to review the future of this newsletter which will have it’s 7 th birthday in Feb 2013.
it was started to provide an alternative view about, and challenge/question the currently accepted theories and events
of the day. It continues to do so without fear or favour. Occasionally it has even managed to get someone so wound up
that they actually take the time to write a letter to the editor. Sadly, most of those who feel offended by the truth or the
disclosure of the facts (always carefully referenced of course) prefer to walk around talking about the editor, and mutter
words like put down, negative, anti, not born here, and so on. It is actually quite an honour to have people cross the
road, leave a shop, or have difficulty seeing though their glasses when you walk down the street. Their actions show
that this newsletter is widely read and discussed and that the truth still plays an important part in the everyday lives of
the majority of us.
The question now is – do you as a reader want this newsletter to continue in 2013? What editorial format should it take?
What articles should it feature? Any other comments of suggestions you have can be made when you send a letter to
the editor with your thoughts. Looking forward to receiving them.
Lastly – Clive Boonham (aka Legal Eagle) is back in the country and in full cry. Welcome back Clive and congratulations
on the award you received for your contribution in working towards making our community a better place to work, live,
and play in. Make sure you read Clive’s latest pronouncements by clicking here.