Our opinion – The power of community

I’m writing this as we head into Matariki weekend, and if you are anything like me,  the first half of the year has felt like a slog, so the break is most welcome.

Firstly, though, I’ll be heading to the community Matariki Ahunga Nui ceremony at Ōrewa Beach on Friday July 10 led by Te Herenga Waka o Ōrewa Marae

It feels like only a minute since I was there last year, but it will be a welcome opportunity to reflect with the community on the year that has gone and look forward to the season that is coming.

Life feels as though it has been a roller-coaster since 2020. Each time it seems as if it is about to settle, we hit the top of the ramp and start roaring down the slope again, clutching on tightly and wondering what is lying around the next corner.

So we were delighted when we heard that Hibiscus Matters had been awarded a Gold Medal in the Pride in Print awards as part of the NZME entry – not only are you getting great stories but also a great looking paper! A large component of this is due to the excellent pre-print work put in by graphic designer Lorry McCarthy, so congratulations to her as well as the NZME team.

The current economic climate has made me give a lot of thought to the role of a community newspaper like Hibiscus Matters lately and how we can best support our community.

Even though we may be a minor player in the media landscape, our importance was brought home to me recently when I had to interview someone in another area for a story connected to an issue on the Coast. With little local media, and an unsupportive local board and MP, they were battling to get any traction on an important issue.

The loss and consolidation of local media, with journalists living and working in the area, has been to the detriment of our communities, but at the recent NZ Community Newspaper Association conference, it was uplifting to talk to so many others striving to do their best in this space and keep local voices alive.

Local newspapers do more than just report the news; they also record those ordinary milestones that may not be deemed important in the wider world but make our everyday lives meaningful: the fundraising activities, the school fair, the hundredth birthday, the opening of a play.

Our lives are more than a social media-driven algorithm, and strong local newspapers are one way for us to remain connected with and connect to the lives of others that share our world and record the events that matter to everyday people.

Hopefully we see some sunshine for the rest of the school holidays – be sure to check the What’s On page for upcoming activities.

Adrienne Kohler, editor