Posts Tagged ‘Media coverage’

1. New chums in a unique cause

   Published on Friday, November 19th, 2010
   

   Another deserving beach

   I’ve not been there, but New Chums Beach on the eastern side of the Coromandel has now become a political cause celebre.  I suspect that this is not so much for its beauty but its value as political leverage on the part of the opposition parties, Labour and Greens.

   Beautiful I’m sure, but New Chums is far from as unique as its protagonists would have us believe. If you don’t believe me, just get out and look around.

   That the Greens and Labour have formed some sort of coalition to save the beach is a communication triumphant for the initial advocate for banning any human habitation in sight of the beach, one Linda Cholmondeley-Smith. This New Chums champion is a descendant of a former owner who obviously received their 30 pieces of silver, but didn’t have the wit to place a caveat on building, which would of course reduce the value of the land to them.

   Cholmondeley-Smith’s strategy was invite media up to the beach and wax eloquent and tearful about its uniqueness. Of course, everyone likes a day at the beach on full pay, so they were quickly on board.

   The Greens will subscribe to anything that dips into the public purse without seeming self interest, while at the same time poking a stick in the eye of the obviously wealthy and vehicle-loving owners, so they could definitely be counted in on this campaign.

   Labour was more cautious and wanted to see which way the wind was blowing.  Understandable given they’d declined to buy the beach when in government – something we need a better explanation of. Out of government it’s a whole new ball game, and the objective now is to points-score at any cost to the taxpayer.

   The question I can’t resolve is, why New Chums?  To claim uniqueness is simply rhetoric.

   What Cholmondeley-Smith and her new found political friends are “selling” is the concept of unique – something few of us will ever visit and fewer of us could afford.  While the deficit grows by the day, I can think of a dozen other unique beaches our money could also be spent on. These I expect would be more affordable and probably easier for most of us to access.

2. The age of intolerance

   Published on Tuesday, August 17th, 2010
   I fear that the recession might have accelerated the age of intolerance and ultra conservatism to risk.

   Is our new-found enthusiasm for saving versus spending, the resignation of the CEO of HP, and the decision of the Christchurch councillor to quit at the next election over a sandcastle spat symptom of this, or the disease itself?

   We seem to be in a time when how things look is more important that how things are, i.e the facts.  This is underscored by journalistic minions trolling through the café receipts of elected representatives and their officials to find an ill-gotten coffee, while the reasons for the burgeoning welfare cost go largely unexplained.

   It’s now a world where being given a bun with mould on it in a takeaway store is worthy of editorial coverage by our major newspapers

   I recall the comments of Philippa Fee at a liability seminar last year organised by Lumley: “There have been in New Zealand a sudden shift in social behaviour reflected in greater demand for accountability, less tolerance, deeper acrimony and a growing appetite for class actions. These behaviours are evident in businesses, consumers, employees and even agencies of government, and there are implications for all forms of public and professional liability. We are no longer litigation shy.”

   This was the backdrop to Philippa’s presentation on Directors & Officers insurance, and she counseled that when it comes to liability paranoia is healthy, particularly in times of economic stress.

   I hope she’s right, and as economic stress dissolves (economists-assured), these picky traits we are exhibiting are not so deeply embedded in our national character they remain permanent fixtures.

   For communicators, these times give us different opportunities to exhibit our issue management skills, so we shouldn’t complain.  It’s for Kiwis who’ve prided themselves historically on having a “fair go” attitude that I feel sorry.

   But perhaps I’m just paranoid.