Will’s Word: Democracy is messy, but it’s our greatest strength

I woke up this morning thinking, “What an exciting time it is in politics”. Local elections are heating up here and across the region; Sāmoa's general election is anyone's game. That's the beauty of where we live.

Democracy and rules still matter. Sure, at times we feel like we're living in a chaotic country and a more chaotic region, but take a step back and you see democracy in action.

For example, I went for a walk through my old hood, Manurewa, in South Auckland. I'll be honest, I'm furious at what I saw: rising homelessness, anti-social behaviour, rubbish strewn all over the roads.

It felt nothing like the place I grew up in. But then I remembered, we've got the power to change that in just a few weeks when we head to the polls for local elections. I know I get fired up at this Coalition Government and some of their decisions.

I want economic growth to move faster, jobs to be more secure, and opportunities to come quicker. Kiwis, though, chose this government, and whether I like it or not, I respect the coalition's mandate.

I'll get my chance to have my say next year. Again, that's democracy in action. Then I look at Sāmoa. Who am I to say who's in the lead? Truth is, I don't know, and that's what makes it all so exciting. Three different leaders, three different policy platforms, and it's anyone's game.

Listen to Will’s Word on Facebook below.

That, again, is democracy. So sometimes I moan about the state of things in this country and across the Pacific, but I also know how bloody lucky we are to vote, to choose, to argue, and to change our minds.

The moral of the story today, team, is that's democracy.

And that's Will's Word.