Leading from the front issuu

Napier Daily Telegraph - 27 November 1977
Napier as the “social experimental
centre of New Zealand” where
problem areas in human relationships
can be studied was the theme
of a panel discussion recently
among experts at the Hawke’s Bay
Community College. One panellist,
Dr John Robson, who is a former
Secretary for Justice, thought . . .
The panellists invited have made distinctive contributions
in their fields.
Dr John Robson is now head of the criminology
department of Victoria University.
Dr Douglas Bray, professor of educational at Massey
University, has done sociological field studies in the
Napier area.
Dr John Harre is director of the Hawke’s Bay
Community College and a former professor of
anthropology.
Dr Vivian Cooper is a Napier jaw and face surgeon
who has observed closely the disadvantaged people
in the Napier area.
Napier - the
one place to
offer hope
Mr W. Te Moana, a Maori educational adiser, stood
in at short notice for the Race Relations conciliator,
Mr H Dansey. Questionamaster was the editor of
The Daily Telegraph
The brief put to the panel was: That Napier could become
the social experimental centre of New Zealand
where race relations will naturally play an important part.
An audience of about 100 listened to the panel, during a
discussion of an hour and a half. A précis of what they
heard is recorded herewith
The Napier Pilot City Trust was then founded, based
on the recommendation of the 1983 research initiative
supported by the council and Department of Internal Affairs,
and as a support unit for Bev. After work drinks at
the council boardroom in those days were abuzz. These
were heady days.
In 1979 a parliamentary committee visited Napier
and supported the concept of Napier becoming a Pilot
City. Innovative social programmes were already in
place, such as Teenareana, Omahu Youth Development
Scheme, the Jay Em Trust and YMCA’s Michael’s Place.
Pat was involved with all of these and was a founding
member of the Napier Pilot City working party, which
was subsequently established and chaired by David
Coles. The parliamentary committee said in its report:
“While it would be naïve to regard the Napier scheme
as the answer to all social problems, it is an innovative
pioneering approach to social and individual malaise,
and the committee notes with approval the measures
that are being taken.
“It would be an exciting exercise if civic leaders throughout
the country were to involve themselves personally in
the problems that abound in their communities.”
Since 1984, through Pat’s persistence, tenacity and his
strong, staunch army of supporters who’ve been beside
him every step of the journey, the recommendations of
the initial report have been progressed through the formation
and activities of the trust.
For nearly 45 years Pat has given it his all, to ensure
there’s a group that consistently lobbies council, social
agencies and central government to keep focused and
efficiently responding to and delivering on community
needs. “Pilot City status is an honour given to our city”,
Pat says. He still honours that status and urges those
who he thinks should honour it as well, to do so.
Bev Barron, the first researcher for the trust, says it
continues to identify and facilitate action where needed,
including through the Robson Collection, Unity Walks,
dinners, Treaty workshops, Robson Lectures and Pilot
City Awards. “Pat was, is and will be the key person in
the past, present and future of all that is good about the
Pilot City.”
Above: in 1977 a panel met at the Hawke’s Bay Community College to discuss the premise that Napier could become a ‘social
experimental centre of NZ. The ‘brains trust’ comprised academics to foot soldiers and the dreaming began this day. Hopes for the dream
to be realised continue — this is ongoing work. Opposite: marching on parliament to address Hon Annette King, Labour Minister (all
promises, no plan, Pat says), on state housing 10 years ago. Pat and a group bussed from Napier and stayed at a marae at Wainuiomata.
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Napier Pilot City Trust – for a kinder, fairer city