New year, fresh start

This new year is looking much brighter for our rural sector than some in the recent past. What a difference the schedules can make! Surprise, surprise, even our wool ‘cheque’ was up on previous clips!

For some, the new year provides an opportunity for a fresh start; to start over is how it gets put. Yep, motivation seems to come much easier this time of the calendar year. For sure, a fresh start can be a very necessary and positive thing. Get after it, I would say.

For others, it’s more the new year’s resolution thing. I recall reading that gyms actually get a peak in membership every new year. I found that all very interesting at first. However, thinking about it for a bit, it is rather easy to understand. Especially when you consider many of these new memberships seem to last a few short weeks at best.

So, more accurately then, that should read ‘New Years Wishes’. The reason? If there is no resolve, or resolute in the resolution, then it will soon get bumped off - probably till the same time next year!

Of course, by far the biggest thing we have to face in 2026 is the national elections. I can’t see anything up ahead of us more important to our rural communities than this.

Consider with me for a moment, the sharp knife-edge on which we in the rural sector are positioned. Without a doubt, we are major contributors to the financial backbone of this great little country we love to call home.

The best research I have access to informs me NZ has somewhere between 2.4 and 2.7 million households in total. The rural sector now? Somewhere around 100,000 households in total, I learned.

Of course, that is very impressive stuff when you realise those relatively few households provide the largest volume of our national exports. Yep, their influence on the balance sheet is huge. Surely, some applause is appropriate.

However, when it comes to elections and voting, those households have little influence nationally. Why is that, you wonder? Because they just don’t have the numbers. For want of a better description, it’s the ancient David vs Goliath thing all over again!

A couple of things come to mind here for me. Politicians that truly love our country rather than being in love with themselves will be vital. They will see the bigger picture and respond accordingly. In today’s world, they may be a rare species, close to extinction even - but here’s hoping!

And then secondly, I think organisations like Groundswell, and others too no doubt, do a fantastic job of lifting our profile. They provide great accurate information and keep folks informed with what’s actually happening out here. The real stuff I mean, in contrast to all the spin a certain location in Wellington is so widely known for!

Now with the elections up ahead, let me encourage you to engage in the process. Attend some meetings, ask some questions of candidates about stuff that’s important to you. I know for some it may
not be their cup of tea, but involve yourself anyway.

And, if you happen to be reading this and you are one pursuing a fresh start, good on you! Wishes are never enough, so get after it, and make the changes you need to, and want, for you and your family.

Now, when it comes to starting over, there is One whose “mercies are new every morning.” And that’s hard to beat!

Take care and God bless.

To contact Colin: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.