By Kevin Hillier
Traffic congestion, mountains of rubbish and a lack of carparking pale into insignificance when compared to the senseless tragedy in Christchurch.
New Zealand has always felt like a younger sibling that you love to tease and chiack with, but deep down you really love. The overwhelming sadness that has gripped our country is testament to the relationship we have with the Kiwis that has been forged over decades.
Unfortunately, the outpouring of emotion has been diluted by individuals and groups using it as a platform for personal agendas and messaging filled with hate. Anger does lead to confusion and irrational thinking, but while anger is understandable, the keyboard vigilantes are of no use to anyone.
Our political leaders have handled the situation as well as can be expected and have not tried to make political mileage out of it. Some politicians have disgraced themselves and will be dealt with accordingly by the electorate and history.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has been breathtakingly inspirational. In an era in which many politicians spend too much time being politicians and bureaucrats, along comes someone who is real. She has never read from the puppet maker’s handbook or subscribed to the sound-bite, click-bait manual of dealing with people, issues and problems. There is no how-to guide for dealing with situations such as Christchurch. A cliche-riddled, wannabe leader would have been found out.
New Zealand voters got it right. They have a leader who not only rises above the petty political agenda and butts heads with the world’s super powers but is also able to lead in a time of crisis with strength and compassion. I hope we can find someone similar to lead our country in the future.
The recurring question from this, and other equally tragic events of recent times, is: When will it stop? I don’t know, but I do know the hate and revenge-filled social media explosion that followed is not in any way productive or helpful in answering that question.
