Duncan Eddy, Motueka Community Board member and mellowing community activist

March 15th, 2010
By David Armstrong

"I don't know what really continues to drive me to help where I can, and make me keep putting my hand up for voluntary work, but it is deeply satisfying." That's the blunt assessment Duncan Eddy gives when asked why he continues to involve himself in anything that serves others.

For some years he was seen more as an activist or protester, but fatherhood, successful tertiary education and more time to ponder have seen him turn to more positive contributions.

"Rather than continually protesting about the bad things, it was time to focus primarily on building up the good things," he says. "The good things are strong, healthy, and vibrant communities, and a healthy environment. And that's what I try to do to this day."

Born 35 years ago and raised in Invercargill, where he dropped out of high school, he later gained a Masters degree at in Philosophy at Otago University. He came to Motueka for another stint on the orchards in late 2004, to fill in a couple of months between working in Australia and commencing study on the Masters degree. He ended up getting involved in various positive community projects and stayed, completing his studies by correspondence.

But last year, with partner Jackie (and now son Kahu), he moved back to Dunedin.

"Considering the satisfaction I take from being an active and contributing member of this community, I probably would have stayed in Motueka forever," he says. "But the reality right now is that unless you've made enough money elsewhere to get established, or have family in the area, Motueka is a tough place for young families. The pressure on accommodation is high, housing prices are high . . . and we all know about sunshine wages."

Duncan has held various roles and responsibilities in numerous community groups here, including serving as a board member of Motueka Community House, Motueka Arts Council and the Nelson Bays Primary Health Organisation. He's served on committees for Motueka Museum and the Motueka Night Shelter.

"I've also worked with a number of very cool students in Motueka over the years. That's just scratching the surface, really. I have the pleasure of working with a wide range of local groups, and the hardworking and good hearted people doing the mahi, the work, over the years."

He rates the Motueka Community Whanau Network as "an extremely valuable networking and education tool" for the community and voluntary sector in and around Motueka. "I attended many of these meetings, wearing a number of hats over the years, representing initially the Night Shelter, then Fresh FM, then the Motueka Community Board and Community House! The Community Whanau meetings are what really drew me into a lot of satisfying associations with a whole lot of different groups."

Asked what defining or life-changing events have shaped his life, he plumps for fatherhood as the number one right now. But his reversal of academic fortunes - from dropout to Masters graduate - was also influential.

"Giving tertiary education a go as an adult student, despite having failed so miserably at high school, was a hugely positive decision in my life," Duncan says. "I was kind of drifting through life, low self esteem, going nowhere . . . all the rest, same old story, so getting an education, and learning to apply myself, opened up a lot of great opportunities and gave me some much needed self confidence."

His studies opened up the door to political awareness, which led to his participation in political activism, and "my life was never the same, in both good and bad ways!"

After spending many years in numerous political roles, in national and local organisations, often in reactive movements defined more by what they opposed, than what they supported, he reevaluated his stance to focusing primarily on building up the good things rather tha knocking the bad.

"I believe that everyone will be better off if we all contribute to a greater good. I'm definitely what would traditionally be called a 'leftie', because I think first about the underdog and the underprivileged.

"But the distinction between left and right has blurred, and times have changed. These terms are no longer such adequate distinctions of political philosophy. My politics is all about community wellbeing, and it'd be best if no political, or party political, divisions complicated that simple and healthy little mission."

Duncan's hobbies include researching local and national history and writing short stories, as well as reading anything from noticeboards to ancient philosophers. "I also like going for long walks, when I can, to check things out, and to ponder. I'm looking forward to creating time in the next few years to show my son around the superb natural and cultural landscape of this country, particularly the unique and oh-so New Zealand-y small towns."

He is currently studying website design. At the end of the course he'll be launching a small business, doing communications work for community and voluntary groups, the creative sector and small businesses.

"Time and time again my work in Motueka has shown me the need for this service. Having worked to get media coverage for community projects and campaigns as well as working in community broadcasting and other media, I've got useful understanding and skills to bring to this role. "I expect to continue an active role in a variety of community organisations and projects for many years to come!"

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