You might not be surprised the suggestion in that intriguing new book – Tongariro Skulduggery – was spot on. The plot involved the discovery of a skull on the Tongariro River that sparked a remarkable chain of events which culminated in the Turangi Treaty being adopted, to secure the future prospects of a cute little touristy trout fishing village.

The literary style is a “mockumentary” – a form of documentary to satirize Turangi issues. It is all true, except where I lied.

Eventually, it resulted in official Government approval of the “Turangi Treaty” – aka TRM’s wish list of requirements to secure Turangi’s future prospects. It should be compulsory study for everyone involved in councils or government.

No. 12 recommendation in the Turangi Treaty – quote: “The proposal is to remove all ineffective appointed and elected representatives to be replaced by a single person selected on their ability, practical administration merit, experience and leadership – untainted by race or ethnicity or sex.”

At the council meeting last Tuesday, five months after Tongariro Skulduggery publication, the chairwoman of the local council committee resigned. The headline in the Turangi Weekender newspaper reads “We have achieved absolutely nothing”. The text reads: “Ms Maclaren believed the money being spent on the board each year would be better going towards a good operational leader in Turangi.”

Since then we have also been advised that a Council appointed position to the local board has since been made redundant. About time too!

They appear to be following the plot in the Tongariro Skulduggery saga. How scary is that? What a coincidence!