Meri Kirihimete 2024
Memories, Kindness, and Christmas Songs.
Morena all,
In my paywalled newsletter yesterday, I signed off for Christmas and wished readers well, but I thought I’d send everyone a quick note this morning.
This hasn’t been a good year for our small country. The divisions caused by the Treaty Principles Bill, the cuts to our public sector, increased inequality, and a distinct absence of kindness have frankly been the worst I can remember.
With the noises coming from the government about tough times and more job cuts, it is hard to feel much optimism for 2025.
Yet, in between, we have this brief lull to forget all that. To share time with those dear to us and not worry too much about what is ahead. If we’re lucky…
If we’re not one of the 50,000 people who have lost their jobs since this coalition unleashed its austerity policies. No doubt sick with worry about how they will provide kai and some small celebration to their family. I remember going through that at the end of 2008 when I got laid off just before Xmas as the GFC hit hard. You don’t forget how that feels, the desperation to provide for your people.
And not if you’re waiting on an operation you need so you can live without pain. Or if you’re too afraid to enter our health system because you’re so worried about the state of it and you don’t want to burden it further.
This will be a difficult time for anyone who runs a charity service that helps those in need.
Demand is skyrocketing even as support drys up, and the Prime Minister treats it as a photo op while you consider closing the doors for good. First, though, all these people need feeding and some small festive joy.
If I could possibly ask readers for one thing, it would be to take the time to reach out to someone who might be having Christmas alone.
Nobody deserves to be alone at Christmas, feeling unwanted or unneeded. Our government might not know what kindness is, but I know you do, and small acts of the stuff go a long way for both the recipient and the giver.
Herein ends the sermon.
I wish you all a very safe and relaxing Christmas. Be careful on the roads and in the water; you know the statistics.
Something to read
If you’d like something to read, here is my Christmas newsletter from the first year of Nick’s Kōrero back in 2022. It’s a favourite of mine, with those memories:
Christmases past and present.
A little while back I wrote a couple of pieces about being the Grinch of Halloween and the Grinch of Guy Fawkes. But when it comes to Christmas I can assure you there is no Grinch here. I love pretty much everything about it, other than the commercialisation - bah humbug to that.
Something to listen to
Instead of one song today, here are ten Christmas songs that aren't awful in no particular order. Thanks to folks on my page who suggested some of them.
Do you have a favourite Christmas song that isn’t on that list?
Finally, my Christmas Special of 25% off for 12 months finishes on Boxing Day. You can access that here if you’d like to buy yourself or someone else a gift. 🙂
Meri Kirihimete, you lovely people. Thanks for your support during 2024 and for being part of this community. Much love to you all. ❤️💚🖤
You might’ve noticed there were only nine songs above. Here’s my favourite to finish. Take it away, Tim…
In case you missed it there’s a letter in today’s Herald which demanded an instant reply. It’s by Bernard Walker, a serial bunch of misery from Mt Maunganui, which I understand translates as “right wing, white skin rest home by the sea”. If you can stand the thought, please read it, it will help give my reply below some meaning. It’s possibly my last offering to the Herald this year so I thought I’d share with you. Meantime, have a very happy Christmas 😀😀
I must take issue with Bernard Walker’s claim that the New Zealand quote of the year was ill considered. There are three valid reasons. 1) The quote was one made in New Zealand with no prerequisite it had to be made by a New Zealander. 2) Surely in our war torn, politically corrupt, climate change ravaged world, there’s a place for a little levity in what is supposed to be a season of joy and hope. 3) I’d bet it gave many more people a smile, as it did me, than one of the other contenders, our PM telling us how “wealthy and sorted” he is. Pepper is a great choice and has given us a little ray of sunshine in an otherwise grey and gloomy time. Merry Christmas everyone.
Merry Christmas to you Nick. Always a pleasure to read your wise and kind words. Yesterday I visited some friends in Wellington. They told us about losing their public sector jobs and having to fight to get another role. One is a contractor and all work has dried up. For months. Not only work in the public sector but also in the private sector here in Welly. These are real people working hard and trying to get by. Not bumbling bureaucrats profiting off the tax payer dollar. It’s appalling, and for what? Money. Ugh. Roll on better times.