WHAT IS IMPORTANT IN LIFE

Yesterday, outside a court in Christchurch we saw the tragic effect that can occur when individuals don't think about the possible consequences of their actions on others in the community. It is hard when reading about the lost of Nayan Woods and its affect on his obviously distraught and loving parents not to be moved by their generosity and love towards the young Ashley Austin who had caused the tragic incident. They understood that this young man will live with the tragedy for the rest of his life. If he is smart, thoughtful and as loving as the Woods he will turn this tradegy into a positive influence in his life and all those he comes in contact with. The remorse he has shown indicates that this particular young man is smart and loving enough to do this and he has a supportive family. Nayan's death may have a positive impact on many and this would be a legacy which will help the Woods family live with their loss and Ashley live with his conscious.

This tragic accident brings home to anyone who is a thoughtful, intelligent human being, that "things/items/toys" are not that important in the big scheme of life. Individuals, families, communities and the experiences with each other are the most important things in life.

Crime and thoughtless behaviour negatively impinges on all these aspects of life and the happiness and safety of whole communities are effected. On the weekend we saw it again when a hunter accidently shot an innocent victim. More sorrow, for no doubt both families.

We need communities to come together and restore the characteristic of "caring about one's neighbour". Not just when tragedies occur but all the time. It is not being a "nark" when providing information about drugs, domestic violence, child abuse, theft, wanted persons and other crime; it's actually about caring about one another, the community. If one personalises crime one quickly realises that you want people to care about the victim, and do something.

Clearly first and foremost if you have information about crime the best place to call is the Police. However, if this does present a problem, and it sometimes does, then provide the information you have to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. No one will know who provided that information and in the most extreme case it could save a life.

IDENTITY FRAUD AWARENESS WEEK

Currently we are in the Identity Fraud Awareness Week which is about increasing people's awareness regarding Identity Fraud which is on the increase and has the potential to affect many New Zealanders. Some figures indicate that New Zealanders are careless with information about their identity with an estimated 78% disposing of information with identity information in an inappropriate way. We have seen programmes on TV highlighting the insecurity of information on the social network facities such as Facebook and the trusting manner in which people reveal information about themselves. I do think that New Zealanders by nature are trusting and that is a characteristic developed over 200 years in a country that for most of that time was relatively isolated. This isolation does not exist today in the electronic world and we need to be more careful about protecting our personal identity, more questioning as to why organisations need the personal information they are asking for, and ensuring that when collected the information is protected in an appropriate manner.

Just recently I was amazed at the information that one organisation required and all I was doing was parking my car for an extended period. I said to my wife, I cannot understand what they require all that information for except of course to make it easier when you next booked the facility or of course provide benefits in the future for consistent use. I also wondered at how that information would be stored and who has access to it as the security measures in place to protect that information is critically important to the protection of personal identity.

We all need to be more conscious about protecting our personal identity.