Letters: We're proud of our Prime Minister

Jacinda Ardern meets with the Muslim community. Photo / SNPA

I am extremely impressed with the way that Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has handled herself after the tragic situation in Christchurch.

Jacinda has been inspirational, sympathetic, caring and highly professional.

I am also impressed with the other party leaders who have all stayed out of the picture, leaving Jacinda to handle the situation without any political point-scoring.

This is good leadership from all concerned.

But what a pity we cannot match Jacinda's skills with National Party policies. If we could, I believe we would have a stable government for many years, and a booming country in which all could benefit.

Vaughan Chetwynd
Tauranga

Gun laws

The effects of the terrorist attack in New Zealand will live in the minds and attitudes of New Zealand citizens for years.

I go hunting a lot, but not with a military-style weapon. They are not needed in our environment.

However, guns cost money, and if the Government wants to call some styles of them in, they should compensate the owners.

Why should I, a law-abiding citizen, be told by a politician that I cannot own a gun. Almost none of them have ever owned a gun and, of course, think they are unnecessary.

For years there hasn't been a problem here. But now there is. One deranged person running amok should not punish the whole group, which leads to the loss of freedoms and rights of a small group of New Zealand citizens who own guns.

I'm deeply saddened by this terrorist act, but don't treat us all as a threat to safety. (Abridged)

Bill Whitlock
Te Puke