Letters to the editor: 'All in this together?' Yeah, right

Too many people are still unvaccinated, writes a reader. Photo / Getty Images

"We're all in this together!"

I used to see it as a rallying cry, and a call to kindness and cohesiveness. But we are not all in this together any longer because too many people are still not vaccinated.

Now, this rallying cry just makes me frustrated, as too many unvaccinated people are not doing their bit to support New Zealand and fellow Kiwis, dragging us all into endless lockdowns and debt it will take years to recover from.

My decision to double vaccinate has no negative effect on unvaccinated people, but their continuing lack of vaccination has negative effects on me and others in my position, as well as on babies and young children, and those who cannot vaccinate for medical reasons.

Why should we all be affected by continual lockdowns, our freedoms curtailed, our businesses going bankrupt, our country ramping up huge debts just to support the decisions of those who choose not to vaccinate yet or ever?

If the Government refuses to force the issue by naming a definite open-up date for NZ, it is encouraging procrastinators and undecideds to drag their heels indefinitely at huge cost to other New Zealanders, the NZ economy and businesses.

All unnecessary and avoidable if we really were all in this together.

People dragging their heels to vaccinate and the government who supports them are irresponsible and unpatriotic.

V Ross
Pāpāmoa

Reform reservations

In July, the Government launched the Three Waters Reform Programme, which involves the control and management of drinking water, wastewater and stormwater, with a budget of $2.5 billion.

These responsibilities will be taken away from local government, and payments made in recognition of the investments local bodies have made in their own assets to manage water.

Four new bodies will be established to manage the Three Waters. The aim is purported to be achieving a consistently high safe standard in all three areas. This sounds good in theory, but based on past performance of all governments, not so good.

My reservations include:

*Loss of control by local councils, some of whom have spent a lot of money to provide excellent services in their own area

*A rise in the price of water, as well-paid CEOs and administrative centres are established to run each of the four entities

*A future government could sell them off, privatise the water. Look at NZ Rail, sold in 1992 for $328m.

Politicians are not to be trusted with such an important amenity, as there seems little evidence of their ability to successfully manage business enterprises.

Councils are currently in discussions with the Government over the Three Waters Reform. We need to let them know what we think.

Vic Brazier
Tauranga

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