Ed Said: We all need a spirit of giving

11 April, 2022

Kiwis are generally known the world over for their kindness, generosity and good old-fashioned work ethic. We also pride ourselves in our philanthropy, though strangely we live in an age where there seems to be more money than ever around, but more people than ever that need it and aren’t getting it. There’s a yawning chasm between the two – the have’s and have-nots – and the struggle has always been how to bridge that gap.

The Covid pandemic has also had more than just an effect on our health. Around the globe coronavirus has slowly tightened its hands around the throats of economies, and the fallout is noticeable as international supply chains, for example, impact businesses here. The supply of goods and services has been slowed or stalled, and the result of the ‘too much demand, not enough supply’ means the cost of everything goes up, and this is painful for everyone, especially consumers in the lower income bracket. Even those with a little extra to spend wince at the sight of petrol station price boards, the cost of a pound of butter or flat white at a favourite cafe.

According to Statistics NZ, the cost of living in Aotearoa has grown by 5.2 percent over the last year. Inflation is the highest it’s been in three decades. Rising mortgage interest rates and rents are driving much of this, and experts predict around half of first home buyers and investors will face difficulty servicing their loans if rates get to 6 percent. What’s worse is that four and five year rates at most banks are almost there.

Incomes are not rising with the cost of living either. It’s astounding and distressing to read that many students, solo parents, families and retirees are often having to pay the household bills first, and choosing to eat last. Winter costs will bring even more difficulty.

I agree that it’s international pressure, and not necessarily government policy causing these issues, but while we wait for conditions to ease as a matter of course, or for intervention from the Beehive, what can we do as citizens to help others?

Perhaps the best example of New Zealand’s collective fundraising spirit was during the 70s and 80s when, every couple of years, Telethon was the biggest thing on TV. There has probably never been a finer example of a nation coming together for a common cause than Telethon – a live 24 hour entertainment extravaganza that syphoned money from every conceivable source to keep the national ‘total board’ ticking over for the nominated organisation that year. As kids we would camp marae-style in the lounge and stay awake as long as we could to watch local and international celebrities host the craziest low-resolution show we had ever seen. That was a big deal when there was just two channels to choose from.

Starting in 1975, by the early 90s the Telethon as it was known fizzed out, but ‘Thank you very much for your kind donation’ became a nostalgic but everlasting catchphrase. Now it’s all about crowd funding and Givealittle. But in the absence of a Telethon production that’s what we should all do: Give a little. With so many people struggling to make ends meet we should all pledge to regularly give to a worthy cause or perform random acts of kindness.

The simple question is: How do we give? The simple answer: With a good heart. The Good Book says we should each give what we have decided in our heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. So the important thing to remember is not what, or how much, you give, it’s the spirit with which it is given that counts. Any shred of genuine benevolence is removed if a gift can’t be given without reservation. If it’s not money, lend a hand to a friend, neighbour, or stranger – you will be all the richer for it.

Rich Pooley
Editor
rpooley@xtra.co.nz