The Star: September 28, 2017

The Star Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi
Thursday September 28 2017 17
Viewpoint
Learning the lessons
AS THE pundits
pore over the
entrails of the
campaign and try
to predict which
way NZ First
will turn, we are
preparing the briefing to
incoming ministers that I
spoke about in my column
last week.
In many respects, it
doesn’t matter the makeup
of the Government;
what matters is that
Christchurch and its place
in the region are seen as
a vital component of the
future of New Zealand.
We need to resolve a
range of issues. Obviously
there is the Cost Sharing
Agreement signed just
four months before I was
elected.
There is work to be done,
especially on the matters
I highlighted last week –
our flood vulnerability
exacerbated by the
earthquakes, but ignored
THE morning
after election
night,
candidates
usually wake
up grateful, if somewhat
panicked, that they don’t
have a full 12hr day ahead
of them and with an
overwhelming sense of
gratitude to hundreds of
people.
It was no exception
for me and I am going to
indulge myself by issuing a
few of those people thanks
in this column.
Across Christchurch
thousands donned their
respective party colours and
toiled for hours to get their
team across the line. To all
of these volunteers, no matter
what party you choose
Lianne Dalziel
in the original agreement;
accelerating the remaining
projects in the central city;
and resourcing the future
use of the residential red
zone.
One of my major
concerns, however,
remains the need to
learn the lessons of our
experience, so we can
embed them into future
practice both as a city and
as a country.
After each event we
have experienced in my
term, we have conducted a
review so that we can learn
the lessons from what we
did well and what we didn’t
do so well. This is because
we often learn more from
our mistakes than our
successes. But not everyone
is keen to front up and
to work tirelessly for, please
accept my heartfelt thanks.
You are all the lifeblood of
elections.
It is not easy being a
candidate; it involves long
hours, is often thankless,
is always relentless and is
really hard for those close
to you.
Congratulations to those
who succeeded and thanks
to those who were not successful.
For some people it
will be a one-off adventure
that can be ticked of the
bucket list, for others it is
the start of a journey.
Jim Anderton once told
me he thought everyone
admit when we have got
things wrong.
We still haven’t
done this as far as the
earthquakes are concerned
and I am hoping that,
whichever parties form
the Government, they are
willing to look at what
each other have said in this
space.
Do we need an
inquiry into EQC and
the insurance industry?
Absolutely we do. So let’s
not make it partisan. Let’s
agree to some terms of
reference and get on with
it.
Do we need a regional
multi-use arena with a
roof? Yes, we do. So let’s
get the business case done
and let’s get it properly
funded.
It will be the largest
indoor arena in the
country, which makes
it important for New
Zealand and not just the
region.
Humbled by support
should run for political
office at least once as you
learn so much about yourself
and your capabilities.
And lastly, thanks to
the voters. I love the huge
number of people who I
met on the campaign. I
have formed some wonderful
memories.
I know I am personally
humbled by the faith Wigram
voters put in me and
I’m sure all candidates and
MPs feel the same.
It is a privilege to receive
the endorsement of
your neighbours and to
represent them, and their
dreams, for another three
years.
•Megan Woods is
Labour’s Canterbury
spokeswoman
6th, 7th & 8th Oct
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