Seaside Town Inspires Journalists

[Kawhia]

By Amy Thomsen, Waitomo News, July 2007

As community newspaper journalists, we meet incredible people on a daily basis – it’s one of the perks of the job.

And Thursday of last week was no different from any other day in that respect for three Waitomo News staff.

Myself, fellow Otorohanga journalist Kylee Bruce and Wintec journalism student Emma Pottinger headed out to do a ‘story blitz’ at Kawhia.

We had arranged five interviews, with the aim of giving Kawhia the coverage it deserves – and do it all in one day.

While there, we were completely uplifted by the amazing community spirit Kawhia residents possess.

We had the privilege of meeting fantastic people of all ages, races and beliefs – from RSA members to parents, grandparents, teachers, St John Ambulance officers, primary school aged children, teenagers and farmers.

From interview to interview we travelled, and everywhere we went the people were happy to see us, and so proud of what their community was achieving.

At no stage were we disappointed with the passion of the people in the Otorohanga district’s little West Coast village that is Kawhia.

While we were there to see all our ‘interviewees’ about completely unrelated stories, the five articles to follow in coming editions of the Waitomo News all relay the same message – selflessness.

From the six RSA members (with an average age of 73) who built a memorial wall for the town’s cemetry, to the three lone St John volunteers who have won a regional award, to the Kawhia Primary School children who have created their first ever basketball team, all the while promoting the protection of Maui dolphins – these people are all doing something, for the love of their town.

A common view among all the adults we spoke to in Kawhia was not only pride in their community, but that everything they do to improve the town is for the next generation – not themselves.

These people all want the youth of Kawhia to feel the same pride that they have felt in their roots and where they come from.

On behalf of the three of us who visited on Thursday, I would like to say thank you to all the people we met for uplifting our spirits, and perhaps teaching us a little lesson.

When you witness this sort of passion among people, you can’t help but want to share it with others.

Kawhia, you are truly a beautiful jewel in the crown of the Otorohanga district. Keep shining.