Small town New Zealand (or not so small!) Take a look at Te Awamutu!

I had the pleasure of travelling away from the 'big sticks,' that is Auckland on Saturday to visit a dear friend in Te Awamutua , or 'TA,' as the locals call it. With me, were my sister and a friend who goes back many years and is facing a very challenging time at the moment. TA is a prosperous farming town, with its associated industries and companies serving the expanded area. It is also close enough to Hamilton (On the main road to Taranaki)to be a viable 'outer suburb,' where a person can live and not pay the huge prices re rent or purchasing a house, something very different to the situation of those struggling in the big cities. One has to wonder why so many of us 'choose' to stay trapped in that mindless and tiring battle to keep afloat, living week to week, just to make ends meet. I wish it was possible for more NZers to be able to live in one of these very vialble towns. If one looks closley, it seems that most of the services available to us in the cities, are there for the experiencing too, even if the choices may be a bit less. There is a multi-theatre complex with the smallest being an intimate 15 seater, ranging up to the the bigger 'models.' The shopping is good and if one wishes even more choice, Hamilton (which is growing at a heady pace) is just up the road. Many of the 'smaller towns,' are 'on the way' to other interesting places, conveniently placed to take advantage of a great deal of what NZ has to offer. Why do we continue to grind out a living in the cities like Auckland, when there is such a plethora of choices? WE must develop our regions and I hope the election focuses on this aspect of NZ. Much has changed over the years to make this possible, not the least being the abiltiy of people to be able to work from home, using the 'Net.' Latest figures show that working from home, even if only for a portion of the week, is really happening.The more viable our towns become, the healthier the nation. Let's hear from our politicians at this important time in our history. Lets hear some ideas about how we can rejuvinate our towns. We will be better as a nation and maybe one in which the gaps that are increasingly becoming a terrible social issue, will become less. It is not about 'going back,' but looking forward to a wonderful future---for all of New Zealand. www.authorneilcoleman.com