New home, new adventures after 15 years on the Bay’s news
Maria Polglase farewells the Bay. Photo: Supplied.
Maria Polglase says that her long-standing involvement with The GB Weekly has been “a sanctuary in the busy mayhem” of her life.
This weekend Maria and her family are shifting to Marton in the Rangitikei district but, thanks to the marvels of technology, she will continue to subedit for the paper.
Previously a nursery manager and commercial artist/signwriter, Maria joined The Takaka Print News in 1996, then The Golden Bay Gazette, but in 1998, after publishing a book, she was invited to help at The GB Weekly.
“I stood in for Jacqui Lawless as a relief proofreader, and then came on as a regular. Maria Koch was the editor in those days and the paper was produced in an office at Klaus and Maria’s home in East Takaka. It was lovely place to go to work, even though the ford could be a bit of a challenge in bad weather. I credit Maria with The GB Weekly’s integrity. She was a phenomenal boss. She set a high standard for everyone involved and got good work from her reporters by asking very good questions. I was a bit nervous when she sold the paper. I didn’t think I’d be lucky enough to have two good bosses in a row, but I was.”
In the intervening 13 years, Maria regularly wrote articles and reviews and became the subeditor. Her involvement was always “more than just a job”, she says.
“I never had a real sense of community until I came here. I’ve got really close to the Bay and I feel that I’ve been able to contribute to it in a worthwhile way through the Weekly. I think the readers of our paper are collectively sharper than your average readers, too. They’re very responsive. They feel it’s their paper, so they’re more likely to complain or praise. They’re politically and socially savvy, so it has been really important not to talk down to them, while not assuming too much, either.”
Maria says that her sense of attachment to “this awesome place” was such that she felt she would happily stay here forever. It wasn’t to be, however.
“I’ve had a year of great change. I was ill for quite a long time and last year my marriage to Graham ended amicably. I’ve spent a while getting my health back, with help from a specialist in nutritional and environmental medicine, Dr Tessa Jones in Wellington, and getting back on track. I also met my new partner, businessman Martin Clement, and it was quickly obvious we belong together. But his work is less portable than mine, so I’m moving with my family.”
Leaving the Bay has prompted Maria to reflect on what makes this community special to her. She arrived from Auckland in1993, burnt out from management work and looking for a quieter, saner life.
“The minute we got here it was obvious we were in the right place. The kids really started to thrive. None of us thrived in Auckland. This has been a fantastic place to raise kids. I’ve been a mum, a step-mum and a foster mum, and I think kids get a great grounding here. They’re closer to values somehow. In a smaller community you’re closer to cause and effect and you’re somehow more accountable and visible.”
As she embarks on her latest adventure, this writer, editor, horticulturalist, tutor, performer, debater and mother of five sends a plea to the community she loves.
“Golden Bay needs to look after its families. It can be unusually difficult to make a living here – just look at the number of people who cobble together a livelihood working multiple jobs, often without reliable childcare, especially for older children. That puts an almighty stress on parents. And our ageing population is a reality. We’ve got to have enough younger people here to run the place. The community must make sure that more of its families are able to stay here and raise their kids. That means employing locals and making sure that rentals and other housing are accessible enough to allow them to stay.”
Maria will continue to edit for several publications, as well as helping Martin run his businesses and an art school in Palmerston North.
“We’re really excited and happy, and still young enough for some good adventures yet.”
Neil Wilson
