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Locking the Gate: The good, the bad and the ugly side of the Covid-19 crisis

 

 

TONY BAKER

Day 44 of isolation in Mangawhai Heads. Firstly, I just want to say how truly lucky we are to be able to call this beautiful place our ‘bubble’ and there hasn’t been a day gone by since we entered lockdown, that I have wished to be anywhere else. Times haven’t been easy, for the cloud of uncertainty has hung over our nation thick and heavy. But now things are looking up and the future is bright for Aotearoa.

I feel the need to put pen to paper in reflection of these past weeks and months. In the first few days and weeks of the crisis people were scared, everyone felt overwhelmed by this invisible invader, and the best and worst of human nature was revealed.

Here in Mangawhai, people offered to help those in need with food and company, while others took to online ‘social pages’ posting negativity and frustration. Families with children learnt the finer art of home schooling, whilst others in our district felt the true hardships of life in isolation, surviving with the basics. Surfing, fishing, hanging out with friends and family, were all rightly banned, as decisions from the top have always been about keeping our communities and country safe.

Then enter the vigilantes! With passive-aggressive signposts popping up for all to read (in case we didn’t get the message), “Don’t go to the beach”, “Stay home”. Some fostered a culture of fearmongering and “dobbing in thy neighbour” whilst others in town chose real-life chat groups on their social-distanced cul-de-sac, getting to know their neighbours better. The rise of the “online local” was prevailing.

Now, it is apparent to all of us that many people took shelter in Mangawhai during lockdown, whether it be residents or regulars. Good on them I say. Most people are smart enough to know the risks associated with something like Covid-19 and it has been made pretty clear from the start we need to stay safe and stay home. But I am sad to say, I was embarrassed by the barrage of negativity coming out of this magic little town. So many good things happen here, and at the same time there has been a growing underbelly of resentment, an attitude of “us and them”. No need to name and shame (especially on antisocial media please). This bullyish, xenophobic mentality is better left in history books, thanks.

Don’t worry, this attitude is not solely endemic to our beautiful Mangawhai and the Kaipara. Everyone is scared. Localism is rife. Our fellow coastal settlements Piha, Muriwai, Raglan, and Leigh have all experienced much the same. In fact, the ugly side of this crisis has reared its head in beach towns across the globe, with a rise in the “area code” mindset of who can and can’t recreate there. Here, gates have been locked to the most iconic beaches in the North, due to being either private land or regional parkland.

Keeping our community safe. A rahui on our coast. I think maybe the Far North Model has its merits. It is all Geo-Politics 101.

The point of all of this? As we have all come to realise, we are so very lucky and grateful to live here in Mangawhai, in the Kaipara, in Aotearoa. For now, we seem to have pushed out the invisible threat and I am sure our team of 5 million can continue to be pragmatic in our approach towards Covid-19 in the future. Let us be the leaders, not the followers, and move forward in positive steps, look after each other, support local business and please, stop the angry online vitriol, in case you missed the message, “be kind”. Remember that we are all visitors here. Chur.

§ Tony Baker has been a resident of Mangawhai for over 25 years. He is a teacher, musician, surfer, lifeguard and environmental advocate.

 

STOP PRESS:

One fight that has reared its head today is the ongoing Sand Mining at Te Arai/Pakiri. As we go to press, and under the cloak of lockdown, a sand mining application lodged with Auckland Council has been publicly notified (May 8) . The applicants (Kaipara Ltd) seek a 20 year permit that would allow them to extract 2 million cubic metres of sand in the area north and south of Te Arai Point. Yes you heard it right, 2 million. I’m not going to do the comparisons, but that is a LOT of sand. And this is only one of a number of applications for nearshore and offshore sand mining at Te Arai and Pakiri. So rather than worrying about that neighbour playing their music too loud, or having an extender bubble iso-party, lets vote with our feet and make some positive changes for our coastline here in Mangawhai.


 
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