Leading from the front issuu

chapter twenty
AND WHERE TO
FROM HERE ...
We asked Pat “Where to from here” and of course this opened a Pandora’s Box of ideas.
It seems he would like another 90 years to follow through on his various initiatives and see the
fruition of a more equitable and kind community. However, he recognises that his age and health
might limit his future input to Ahuriri — the city that he loves and the people that he treasures,
although we’re yet to see a slowdown.
Pat mentioned a few housekeeping issues he’d
like to see followed up within Council, as submitted
to their annual plan:
HOUSEKEEPING TIME:
TO MAYOR KIRSTEN WISE AND
HER COUNCIL
• Record Ahuriri / Napier’s social history and tell its
story as New Zealand’s first and only “Pilot City”
• Revive the brilliant mural in the foyer of our Napier
Court by iconic artist Sandy Adsett and refresh the
Napier Pilot City logos on the stairs of the Napier and
Family Court
• Re-establish and reinvigorate our Napier City
Community Development Unit
• Establish our suburban shopping centres such as
Maraenui as “Child Friendly Maraenui, Ahuriri Napier”
and provide resources so our children can “be safe
and have fun”
And more broadly:
TOWARDS A KINDER, FAIRER
CITY — WE KNOW WHAT
WORKS SO LET’S JUST DO IT
• Surely, it’s time now to adopt change in the Criminal
Justice system. There have been enough reports.
He Waka Roimata and Turuki! Turuki! were released
in 2019 by the Safe and Effective Justice Advisory
Group, chaired by Chester Borrows. Turuki! repeats
recommendations made in the 1989 Roper Report
which highlighted deficiencies. Change is overdue
• Offer education that engages the most marginalised,
as per the kaupapa of the Hawke’s Bay Community
College, 1975, when Non-Vocational Education
was provided. Napier Pilot City Trust will suggest
to the Minister of Education that members of the
community be encouraged to apply for resources to
implement programmes in the community with the
Above, Philip Stenning, a criminologist with Victoria University and long time Trust supporter enjoys a BBQ at Pat’s place. Opposite:
Pat with Jan Marie Cook, mural artist for this work titled “Building Communities Not Prisons” at the Napier Police Station, since
removed due to construction work. “We’ll put another up soon”, says Pat. (Photo credit NZME)
And where to from here ... 279