Political Readership
At different times in my life I’ve been a paid-up member of the Labour Party and the National Party. But, over time I started to feel that no one party was right all of the time and “the opposition” often have ideas that I can support too. So these days I just prefer to back ideas, not parties.
Over the same period I’ve watched our political discourse get increasingly divisive, hyperbolic and unnecessarily personal. I think politicians are subject to a level of unsolicited opinion and public criticism that few of us will ever endure in our work, and it’s often just a distraction from the important work they need to get done on our behalf.
Sooo, with the local body elections around the corner I decided that I’d like to have a go at balancing the universe and contribute something nice about our candidates for local office. I know, I know, the world’s not always nice but this Bookshop Journal is! I hope you enjoy these bookish insights into our potential leaders.
Note on publication: I’m adding responses from South Wairarapa Mayoral candidates and those running for Councillor in our Greytown Ward in the order they are received. If you don’t see a candidate profiled here it’s because they either declined to participate or didn’t respond.
Other than minor grammatical touch-ups - eg. capitalisation, full stops - these responses are published exactly as they are supplied.
Martin Connelly for Mayor
Hi Millie. My name is Martin Connelly. All my life I have been slowly working my way up New Zealand. I began life in the High Country, bordering the Southern Alps. After school there was University in Dunedin, and a lengthy first career in Timaru as a teacher. Then a very short career move to Christchurch as a management consultant.
Following more study at Victoria University I ended up working in Wellington in the public service, advising on the best way to spend hundred of millions of taxpayers dollars. Then we retired to Greytown. I love my family, walking my dog, music, gardening, playing bridge. And yes, I love to read. When we built our current house, we built a library into it, to make sure we had plenty of room for books.
What was the last great book you read and what did you enjoy about it? This is a tough question to answer but one contender would be “Stumbling on Happiness” by Harvard Professor Daniel Gilbert. This is one of the books that has had the greatest influence on how I think about the ‘human condition’ and what it takes to be happy.
What are you reading at the moment? Just at the moment I am re-reading “Inside Stories” This is a book of reminiscences of New Zealanders who became prisoners of war during the second world war. My father was a POW, and while he is not one of the people whose story gets told in the book, he is mentioned in it. His captivity, and its aftermath, has shaped my entire life.
Do you read books to the bitter end or will you give up early if you can tell the book is not for you? There are a few books where I have read a chapter or two, and then realising I had made a poor choice, I gave up. But usually, I read to the end.
Have you ever failed to return a library book or a book borrowed from a friend? This is your chance to offer a confession! I have never failed to return a book to the library. My mother was a librarian – and she would never have forgiven such a thing. But there is one book about gardening that a friend lent me and which I have held onto. I just felt my need was greater than hers.
Do you have any favourite books about leadership? No, not really. I have read many, but I find they usually disappoint. Possibly the one exception has been a rather old book now called “The Effective Executive” by Peter Drucker. But it is not in the “Great Man/Woman” style of many leadership books.
Are there any book, writing, reading or library related issues that will be important to you as Mayor? Absolutely. Someone, I forget who, once said “great libraries build communities”. In my opinion we have excellent libraries and librarians here in the South Wairarapa. I would resign as Mayor rather than see anything done that degraded our library amenities. We also have some great bookshops in the South Wairarapa, including yours Millie. And the Featherston Booktown, and its annual festival is one of the highlights of the Wairarapa.
Have you ever written or contributed to a book/s? Yes, I have edited some books and contributed to others. Except for one, these were all academic publications and I strongly advise people – “Do not read”. You would be much better off visiting your local library or talking to Millie.
Do pencils feature in any part of your work or life? No, they do not. I have a fascination with mechanical pencils, and have a small collection of these. But I have a much larger collection of all sorts of ball-point-pens due to my so far endless search for the perfect ball point.
Martin Bosley (Boz) for Greytown Ward
Please feel free to introduce yourself in a few sentences: Ubiquitous Greytown resident who lives behind a yellow door on Main Street. Family man, businessman, Celebrity Chef, author, contributor to television and radio and for 11 years a volunteer leading the Remutaka Prison ‘Gate to Plate’, providing catering training to long-term prisoners which aids employment on their release.
What was the last great book you read and what did you enjoy about it? Elif Shafak’s, The Island of Missing Trees (Editor: inserts shameless link to purchase this book from Mrs Blackwell’s Village Bookshop). A story that moves back and forth in time, told in three narratives, one of which is a fig tree. A story of immigration, love, loss, colonialism and the natural world, it was exquisite, beautifully written. It's ending moved me to tears.
What are you reading at the moment? Other Minds, by Peter Godfrey-Smith, a scuba-diving scientist and philosopher. He argues that cephalopods are sentient beings, that evolution built minds twice over as opposed to a shared history. Its the closest we may ever come to actually meeting an intelligent alien. With eight legs, three hearts and green blood they are more extra-terrestrial than anything earthly. The octopus is a truly wondrous being and I am never eating them again.
Do you read books to the bitter end or will you give up early if you can tell the book is not for you? I tend to put them down, and think the timing isn’t right. I will return to the book at a later date. More often than not, it was me that was wrong, and not the book.
Have you ever failed to return a library book or a book borrowed from a friend? This is your chance to offer a confession :) Absolutely not! I return all books, in fact so paranoid am I about not returning books, I rarely borrow them.
Do you have any favourite books about leadership? Not in the traditional ‘One Minute Manager’ sense, I don’t. I prefer biographies and these tend to encompass aspects of leadership within them.
Have you ever written or contributed to a book/s? I have written two books and contributed to several others. In addition I was the food writer for The Listener for 5 years, Air New Zealand’s ‘Kia Ora’ magazine for 11 years and for the past 4 years I have had a regular feature in Cuisine Magazine.
Do pencils feature in any part of your work or life? So much so that at one point I had my own branded pencils. Love a good pencil.
Alex Beijen for Mayor
I’m Alex Beijen, and have been Mayor for 3 years now. My interests are classic cars, DIY, and reading, as well as travel when Covid allows.
What was the last great book you read and what did you enjoy about it? Hmm - define a great book! Some lauded books have been a flop for me, whilst unknowns have been delightful. I suppose the last great book was The Man in the High Castle by Phillip K Dick - a fascinating view of a dystopian world given it was written in the 1960s.
What are you reading at the moment? A series of books based in the 1740s Hindustan, as the English play politics to take over a rich but fractured India by Alex Rutherford.
Do you read books to the bitter end or will you give up early if you can tell the book is not for you? If it is poorly written, or has grammatical errors, I find I cannot continue reading. The worst is misusing 'effect; and 'affect' - does anyone else have this OCD problem?
Have you ever failed to return a library book or a book borrowed from a friend? This is your chance to offer a confession :) Yes unfortunately - but usually I find it again amongst the other books strewn around the bedroom.
Do you have any favourite books about leadership? No one in particular. I did enjoy Richard Branson's books about setting up Virgin Group.
Are there any book, writing, reading or library related issues that are/will be important to you as Mayor? The key one is libraries - I think the others may be outside of Council's remit. Libraries are more than books, and the development of them as safe community places, studying, resourcing and integration into a towns fabric is important to manage.
Have you ever written or contributed to a book/s? Unfortunately not, apart from emails occasionally about the mis-use of the word 'affect'
Do pencils feature in any part of your work or life? I try to use pencils, however the proliferation of ball points, as well as the need to sign indelibly, mean pencils are a luxury. I hate to think how many ball points are unused and thrown away before their life is ended! Douglas Adams in the Hitchhikers' Guide to the Galaxy surmised ballpoints magically slipped away quietly through wormholes in space to a world where they knew they could enjoy a uniquely ballpointoid lifestyle. An interesting concept!
Aaron Woodcock (Woody) for Greytown Ward
Please feel free to introduce yourself in a few sentences: Aaron (Woody) Woodcock, is a fifty-year-old businessman, contractor and family man born and bred in the South Wairarapa.
Greytown has always been home even while gaining experience in Australia and USA. Like their father, our sons are schooling at Greytown Primary and Kuranui College. For three decades he has been an active volunteer member of local sport and community groups including coaching children’s sport.
After upskilling with a business management qualification, with Jo my wife, we purchased a contracting business focused on trucking, roading, heavy machinery, earthworks and civil construction. I understand accounts and the importance of sticking to budgets. As an employer I understand the importance of treating people with respect and delivering results customers expect.
What was the last great book you read and what did you enjoy about it? I don’t need to read my wife tells me about the books she reads. Recently I was given two books, the Lochore biography and Richie McCaw The Open Side so I plan on reading them.
What are you reading at the moment? NZ trucking mag.
Do you read books to the bitter end or will you give up early if you can tell the book is not for you? Depends on the book. If you ask my wife she will tell you I fall sleep more than I read the book.
Have you ever failed to return a library book or a book borrowed from a friend? This is your chance to offer a confession :) Not that I can remember.
Do you have any favourite books about leadership? All Black Captains.
Are there any book, writing, reading or library related issues that are/will be important to you on Council? Access to all no matter what.
Have you ever written or contributed to a book/s? Only a family history book.
Do pencils feature in any part of your work or life? Yes for bookwork and a builders pencil when required for some jobs.
Brenda West for Mayor
Hey there, My name is Brenda West and I'm running for South Wairarapa District Mayor. I have spent the last 17 years in Featherston with my son and hubby.
I am currently a Councillor and previous to this I was on the Featherston Community Board. I'm running because there is a need for better leadership, one that works with the team at the table. I'm running because we need to reconnect with our communities. I'm running because we need more oversight with our ratepayers money and making sure that it's getting to where it needs to.
What was the last great book you read and what did you enjoy about it? Harry Potter - Any book by Raymond E Feist. There's nothing like being transported to another land/time.
What are you reading at the moment? Alas I have not been in the mood for reading of late - I put this down to reading too many Council reports. But If I was it would be a sci-fi.
Do you read books to the bitter end or will you give up early if you can tell the book is not for you? If it's a good book, I like to read to the bitter end - even if it means a 4am shut eye.
Have you ever failed to return a library book or a book borrowed from a friend? This is your chance to offer a confession :) I don't tend to borrow books - I'll buy them outright.
Do you have any favourite books about leadership? At one stage I was really getting into autobiographies. Nelson Mandela was a hard read and I don't think I ever got to the end of that one.
Are there any book / writing / reading or library related issues that will be important to you as Mayor? How to best manage staff... that one will be an essential.
Have you ever written or contributed to a book/s? NO - In my professional life I would create manuals, or rewrite policies.
Do pencils feature in any part of your work or life? Not pencils - I'm more of a biro person, particularly purple ones. My second pick would be my laptop for writing notes and keeping information handy.
Alistair Plimmer for Greytown Ward
I have lived in the Greytown area for the last 20 years, growing up in the Wairarapa where I attended school. On completion of school, I left the Wairarapa to serve in the Army as an Infantry Office for 20 years.
On my return to the Wairarapa with my family I was the GM of Oldfields Aggregates, Ready Mix and then Branch Manager Wairarapa for 5 years.
I have immersed myself in the local community as a Cub and Scout leader for almost 7 years, a junior rugby coach for a couple of seasons, the Chair of Greytown School BOT for 6 years and now on my second term on the St Matthew’s BOT.
I also serve the community as a Justice of the Peace.
What was the last great book you read and what did you enjoy about it? I generally become sucked in by authors and at present I am reading all the Lee Childs books. I enjoy the sense that I can become part of the characters and feel myself experiencing the while story.
What are you reading at the moment? I am trying to read Lee Child’s latest and the latest Wilbur Smith books. I must confess however, I am struggling to find the time to sit down and quietly read at present.
Do you read books to the bitter end or will you give up early if you can tell the book is not for you? I try but if I am not engaged within the first few chapters I will give up and look for another book.
Have you ever failed to return a library book or a book borrowed from a friend? This is your chance to offer a confession :) I am not a great user of libraries, however my family is. My wife and kids are avid users and we belong to libraries in the South Wairarapa and Turangi. I cannot recall myself failing to return a book but I am sure I have. We seem to have always been paying late fees.
Do you have any favourite books about leadership? The are two books that I have re-read time and time again. Reach for the Sky the biography of Douglas Bader, and The Mark of the Lion, the biography of Charles Upham, VC & Bar.
I have found both books truly inspirational, and have even had the great honour of meeting Charles Upham during my time as a Lieutenant when serving at Burnham Military Camp.
The other book that I found very interesting was The Larwood Story, the autobiography of Harold Larwood, England’s fast bowler during the infamous “Bodyline” cricket test series in Australia.
Are there any book, writing, reading or library related issues that are/will be important to you on Council? In my time on council I have been very supportive of all our libraries do for us. I also find the staff fantastic, helpful and just really great to be around. Their dedication to their work is very much appreciated. It would come as no surprise, given my close association with our schools over the last 9 years serving on Boards of Trustees, that I have this view. I truly believe that libraries are a critical part of our learning environment and must be treasured and nurtured for all ages.
Have you ever written or contributed to a book/s? No, however I understand my masters research paper is published in the Victoria Library. Certainly not recommended reading.
Do pencils feature in any part of your work or life? Alas I am not a person blessed with musical or artistic talent. My children however are and have been avid budding artists in their early school life. They must have gained that from their mum.
Daphne Geisler for Mayor
Kia ora koutou, I am Daphne Geisler standing as your new Mayor the South Wairarapa. At the moment straddling my Martinborough home of 22 years and my new Greytown home of 22 days! I’m giving up mowing the fields for walking to the coffee shops!
What was the last great book you read and what did you enjoy about it? Having been in the second hand and collectables business for the later part of my life, my reading tends to follow suit – reading older second hand books. Last one was Iris Murdock Under the Net. I found it hard going and cant say I really enjoyed it, I tolerated it!
What are you reading at the moment? I went to the release of local Martinborough author, Rosy Fenwicke’s new Euphemia Sage Chronicles and just started No Retreat, page 16!
Do you read books to the bitter end or will you give up early if you can tell the book is not for you? Give up, and have been know to go back and wonder why I gave up, I think they find their right time.
Have you ever failed to return a library book or a book borrowed from a friend? This is your chance to offer a confession :) Yes! At the moment I know I have a book on New Zealand potters and I can’t find it anywhere. It is probably in my packed boxes and so it may be a while, but I will find it and give it back.
Do you have any favourite books about leadership? Not really but I do remember when I was younger being inspired by writers such as [Stephen] Covey and [Peter] Drucker who radically proposed putting people and ethics first in business. I was lucky enough to work for a company where doing the right thing for the long term came before short term profits.
Are there any book / writing / reading or library related issues that will be important to you as Mayor? Language is so important and I will strive to be clear and understood. Most issues relate back to poor communication so it will be a focus. Life long learning is important to me and our libraries and community organisations are very valuable.
Have you ever written or contributed to a book/s? No.
Do pencils feature in any part of your work or life? I rarely use a pencil. I love fountain pens, I don’t use them very often but I feel you can only sign your name with a flourish using a fountain pen. And we all need a flourish once on a while!
Gareth Rapson, for Greytown Ward
I grew up and was educated at Victoria University Wellington. Married Gail, had three sons and now reside in the wonderful Greytown.
I have loved books all my life and always have one within reach.
What was the last great book you read and what did you enjoy about it? The last great book I read was our book club selection, 'The Magician' by Colm Toibin. A great writer, writing about another great writer. A big expansive novel, always absorbing with lines like ..."In books we never find anything but ourselves..." A wonderful blend of truth and fiction.
What are you reading at the moment? Just finished 'Elizabeth Finch' by Julian Barnes. A slim book with big ideas.
'Lessons in Chemistry' by Bonnie Garmus has just landed on my desk and will be my next read.
Have you ever failed to return a library book or a book borrowed from a friend? This is your chance to offer a confession :) I am very conscientious about returning books on time. One doesn't want to get the rooster eye from our wonderful librarians.
Do you have any favourite books about leadership? I hope our elected officials are engaged with our wonderful bookshops and libraries in the Valley. The one book I would like them all to read is 'Emotional Intelligence' by Alain de Botton.
Do pencils feature in any part of your work or life? I am an art supply addict. My go to pencils are: Staedtler Mars 780 propelling pencil and my orange BIC pencil #2 0.9mm.
