Leading from the front issuu

Kinder Fairer City
No secret ingredients
Just Aroha
INTRODUCTION
Napier resident for nearly 95 years Pat Magill has been
called many things, from a communist, an agitator, to the
more colourful, Napier’s biggest stirrer. Then, coming from
the pious end, he’s even been likened to a walking saint. LEADING
FROM THE FRONT gives more insight into which role, of which
combination of roles, Pat might fulfill.
He not only forms part of Napier/Ahuriri’s social history, he
helped create it and a couple of contributors to the book who know
Pat well describe him thus: “Pat has influenced Prime Ministers
and CEOs up and down the country”, says Robert Consedine, author
of Healing Our History — the Challenge of the Treaty of Waitangi.
And Ahuriri barrister Philip Jensen observes Pat as, “Corrupting
the halls of power with his goodness”.
Dozens more people who know this intriguing, fun-loving and
committed campaigner for the underdog, have contributed their
stories and impressions of Pat to LEADING FROM THE FRONT
— beautiful, insightful korero from social justice influencers and
change makers throughout Aotearoa. Along with Pat, they have
one thing in common — they want to see a better world, especially
for the nation’s children.
Discover throughout these pages what drives Pat to be Napier’s
social conscience; how he loves his town like an entity and wants
everyone within it to reach their best and deserved potential.