Letters to the editor: Would you pledge allegiance to NZ

ACT Tauranga candidate Stuart Pederson. Photo/file

Pledging to New Zealand values

Requiring new New Zealanders to pledge allegiance to certain New Zealand values of tolerance and freedom is a good idea. It was an ACT Party policy at the last election and remains so.

Individual freedom and personal responsibility are the basis of a strong society. But it could go much further. Why not require all New Zealanders to sign such a pledge as they migrate from adolescence to adulthood? This could follow some sessions of civics education at high school.

We could not kick them out if they refuse but we could deny them the right to vote. After all, if they don't accept those core values, should they have a say in how we are governed?

Stuart Pedersen
Mount Maunganui

Is Welcome Bay lane road closure worth it?

Welcome Bay lane to close. How many vehicles use the slip lane vs how many cyclists cross it?

In my view, there's probably a handful of cyclists as opposed to hundreds of cars each day.

It's an "easy solution" just to close it to vehicles, that will really tie up the traffic. But what about doing some smart thinking and have cyclists "Give Way" as the traffic is on their right.
Simple solution, problem solved. Simply erect a Give Way sign.

Ian Manson
Welcome Bay