David Todd McCarty

There is a time for diverse and open discussion and then another to decide on what is best and act as a group. Admittedly this is tough but not impossible in a big and diverse population.

New Zealanders under the threat of COVID discussed the best ways to defend themselves, and there was no shortage of proposals. From here, the population or their representatives established and agreed upon strategies. Some may have had doubts, but they bought into and stuck with the program. Until omicron, NewZealand had less than 30 deaths (total deaths are now close to 1,500 because the new variant made containment much more difficult). These results for a diverse country of 5M were extraordinary.

Jacinda Ardine, New Zealand's Prime Minister, led the country brilliantly and had built an enormous amount of trust, especially in handling the Christchurch massacre.

I can also attest that New Zealanders are not wimps and are fiercely independent. Like Australians, they retain an attitude of looking out for the other fellow.

I've perhaps stayed a little from your subject, but I'm saying that good leadership and trust are vital for good results. Dissenting voices make leadership and the organization stronger.

Many thanks