However, while we all celebrate the purchase of this amazing part of our nation, and rightly so, I can't help but feel a tinge of sadness over this whole process. Sadness because it shouldn't have needed to require two mates kicking off a crowd-funding appeal to have this beach added to the DOC estate. The government should've stepped in and just purchased the land and added it to the surrounding National Park. But, unfortunately, for too long the government stayed quiet and non-commital. They are the "Johnny come lately's" in this process. The spin doctors in Wellington will be working hard to sell this as a great win for New Zealand and that the government is rapt to see the passion of thousands of Kiwis, as well as being proud to partner with all of those Kiwis in purchasing this land.
But the reality is a lot different. I'm sure that DOC would've liked to have just purchased it when the land was about to go up for sale but the reality is that their budget has been consistently slashed in budgets and their funding wouldn't allow it. It is hard enough for them to have enough money to continue their conservation work without partnering with businesses and community groups - something that the current government is keen to encourage and promote. The minister could have chosen to get involved. So could the PM, who after all is the Minister of Tourism. Cabinet could've come together and decided to purchase the beach for all New Zealanders. But they didn't. And despite this beach being in former Conservation Minister Nick Smith's backyard, it was up to the public to ensure this beautiful beach is added to the Crown's responsibility. Instead the government and the minister stayed silent and in the shadows until it looked like the thing might actually work! It was spineless, sad and very disappointing.
But there is another part to this which is encouraging. We, the people stood up. We made ourselves heard and it is a message that has rung loud and clear from Cape Reinga to Bluff but most clearly heard across the Cook Strait in the halls of Parliament. It is a message that unequivocally says that we Kiwis care about our land and our country and we want our government, who we elect to run the nation in our stead, to listen to us. It states that losing land, whether pristine beach or big farms to wealthy interests is not necessarily in the best interests of our nation. We stood up to the powers that be and said that we want to see the right thing done by the country. We declared that not everything is about money. Some things are more important than a healthy balance sheet or economic prosperity.
It was right that Awaroa Beach was bought and added to the Abel Tasman National Park. It was and is the only sensible decision and the only one in the best interest of our nation. It also says that we aren't as happy with the job the government is doing, despite what there advisors like to tell them and the media. It reminds them that we, the voting public, should never be taken for granted.
So, I say a huge thank you and congrats to Duane and Adam and their team. I say a huge thank you and congrats to the nearly forty thousand who gave. And I say to the politicians, pay attention. We won't go quietly into the night. We want what's best for our entire country, not just for a select few. Don't ever take us for granted.
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