Island Time
09:50 - one of my favourite times of the day, it's when Lande and I chat as she wraps up six2ten and I get ready to jump into Island Time, two pacific sistahs....sharing, caring and most important, listening to the vibe of our people.
As my mother often told me, "You have two ears and one mouth so try listening more than you talk"
Great advice and so true mum, yet sometimes I choose not to listen.
Especially when it is to the influence, words and actions of those who are happy to keep our people content on living in poverty...I'm talking about poverty of the mind, not just the pocket.
The last week has seen the alcohol industry come under the spotlight.
Alcohol like cigarettes and gambling can cripple any community and those three seem to be doing a great job of it on our Maori and Pacific communities.
The Rt Hon Sir Geofferey Palmer, president of the Law Commission presented his report on Alcohol laws to parliament last Tuesday.
The report makes 153 recommendations. A big document.
I spoke to Sir Geoffery this afternoon before he addressed an Alcohol Advisory conference in Manukau City.
He says that despite criticism, which was largely instigated by bar owners not liking the recommendation of a 4am closing time, he stands by the review and says it is in the best interest of the public that we implement monitoring laws on alcohol.
I think it was fitting that the conference was in Manukau City, a beautiful city, largely populated by Maori and Pacific people yet riddled with alcohol advertising and sales at evey corner dairy right there alongside the specials on bead, milk and pies.
I live in Titirangi, Waitakere, a dry zone. we cant buy booze at the supermarket and it's a pain sometimes YES, but hey, we're used to it and frankly I don't want it at my local dairy on Atkinson Rd, or St Leonards, Archibald, Edmonton or Metcalf roads.
I asked Sir Geoffery of the 153 recommendations what his top three would be, he said, pricing of alcohol, the number of outlets in our community and hours of operation for bars.
I agree with Sir G, but if I had to make a compromise then maybe the rugby world cup hooligans can drink themselves into oblivion past 4am...just get it out of the dairies!
IF Mayor Len Brown was really down with the brown then he may consider this as a campaign promise as we countdown to the creation of the Super City?
The government has 120 working days to consider and then act or not on the recommendations.
What i find ironic about this alcohol review is that straight after it was presented at parliament the government held a "500 days to the Rugby World Cup" countdown party ...and according to my journo mates, was wellstocked with booze, oysters and whitebait fritters...priorities, rugby afterall is soo important. to this nation...perhaps we need booze to numb the reality we have not been world champs for 20 years???
If Im honest, had I been in Welly I probably would have gone too, I'm not opposed to alcohol, infact as I write this I am enjoying a fairly big glass of Twin Islands pinot noir, I have a glass of wine most nights, sometimes more and like many of us I like a good party and getting drunk can be fun.
That is not the issue, alcohol is not really the issue.
To me the issue is whether politicians are caring enough to monitor the level of influence and actions big business like alcohol, cigarettes and gambling have on our Pacific and Maori communities. Statistics tell us we are the communities most adversly affected.
When the politicians vote on alcohol reforms it will be done by a conscience vote, they are not governed by their party affiliations but by their own values and morals...
...which has me asking myself if they have indeed managed to maintain any morals and values since they spend most of their time in Wellington away from the very people they are voted in to represent...I wonder if they are even in touch with what is in the best interests of their constituents?...we shall soon see and to me it will be interesting, since alcohol, like cigarettes and gambling is in the business of maintaining addiction and recruiting new addicts. Being addicted to a legal substance/habit is big business...
The Law Commissions report into alcohol is what is on the table today, however, it is what the politicians decide that will tell the story of what will be on the tables for our children in years to come.
What will Peseta Sam Lotu-iga, Luamanuvao Winnie Laban, Sua William Sio, Carmel Sepuloni and Georgina Te heu heu do?
Hopefully, like Lande and I at 09:50 they too are caring and sharing and most important, listening to the vibe of our people.
