GARRICK TREMAIN: Response to "MISSING TREMAIN"
- Administrator
- Dec 19, 2023
- 2 min read
Response to “MISSING TREMAIN”
A recent post on “bassetbrashandhide" titled “MISSING TREMAIN” was appreciated, bringing forth comments flattering in the extreme. Perhaps an explanation for my silence is in order.
In 2019 I gladly parted ways with the increasingly woke Otago Daily Times after 32 years as its daily cartoonist. A number of readers contacted me to plead that I continue cartooning, despite having no outlet. I advised that should I produce further cartoons I would email such work to them.
They were interesting times under the most incompetent and destructive government this country has ever experienced, which kept me cartooning for nearly another 4 years. Daily output was emailed to 400+ followers, and beyond. It has been a FOC service to them and, for me, an outlet for frustrations.
As this year’s election loomed I experienced unprecedented levels of nausea and decided I would not cartoon beyond the election. I have kept the promise, so far without regret. Nor have I missed the antics of the main players. I have not, in fact, watched TVNZ News or listened to RadioNZ for the past 3 years.
A couple of weeks after this year’s election I began receiving queries from readers as to the state of my health. I assured all that my health is fine.
I may, or may not, produce further cartoons. The current scene is, after all, ripe for satire, with Te Pati Maori and the Greens rewriting history and screeching that democracy be replaced with apartheid: the spectacle of the new Prime Minister bewildered by the weight of responsibility before him, whilst his deputy steals the march by, so far, keeping his election promises: the effrontery of the totally disgraced former government members popping their empty heads above the parapet to spout the nonsensical vitriol that characterised their six years in power. In their desperation to hamper the new government they are assisted by the spoiled brats of the main-stream-media, smarting that they could not get their chosen government re-elected. Like the universities they throw petulant tantrums of spite while indulging anti-semitism.
Equally perplexing are those who voted for the coalition parties and now sit back regarding the job as done. How naive !!! The damage done to this country in the last 6 years will take generations and considerable turmoil to rectify … if it can be done!
Should further cartoons eventuate (undecided at this point) those who have occasionally acknowledged receipt of my work will continue to receive it. Thank you for your support.
Garrick Tremain
The ODT is struggling. Their arrogance in paywalling any item of vague interest to readers will be their downfall.
Without doubt the most politcally savvy NZ cartoonist I have experienced in my lifetime, so creative and most of all funny. TBH, I couldn't give a shit if you are left or right leaning as long as you hold the ploiticians to account and make me laugh. And Garrick, you have done so on many occasions.
What was more special over the past few years though was you being the antithesis of the woke left brigade and cutting through their rampant BS, with humour. I can't tell you how special your contribution has been to me and many others throughout the last 6 years of hell. Screw the ODT, please, please, keep contibuting. NZ needs you!
You write quite well, consider starting a blog.
Thank you-I enjoyed your cartoons and wish you all the best in any endeavours you may choose.
You will be missed!
Thank you so much for giving us your cartoons which spoke "a thousand words." You succinctly expressed the truth during the terrible reign of the last government. These were times when we really needed a laugh, so I'm hoping you still continue to artistically express the funny side of the continuing saga which you clearly tell in your article above. Much of the media is so slanted that I'm sure they have turned the majority of NZers off. I am hoping Luxon has very thick skin and ignores the ridiculous accusations of the opponents and their bought press.