Our View: Inquiry needed over fate of files

Would it have made any difference?
This is a question that remains unanswered after it was revealed this week that police destroyed important files relating to missing Tauranga woman Luana Williams while investigating her homicide.
Miss Williams vanished from her Gate Pa home on June 5, 1986.
Her case was initially treated as a suicide or missing person's case but it was officially upgraded to a homicide inquiry in 1994.
But independent investigator Bryan Bruce, who appears on the television show The Investigator discovered by using the Official Information Act that drug records relating to Miss Williams before she disappeared were later destroyed - a move he describes as incompetent or sinister.
Miss Williams was arrested during a major police drug operation in the Bay.
Police say they do not know who issued the order.
This news simply does not make sense.
It is a well-known fact that drugs and violent crime go hand in hand and it would be logical to assume that in this case the link would have to be explored and all records kept.
Who knows what nugget of information may at any stage help break the case wide open.
So, why were these files destroyed?
We don't know because the police response to this has been rather underwhelming.
Local police, when asked for a response, gave a safe reply that offered no insight.
The police generally do a great job under trying circumstances and it is important to realise that in any large organisation mistakes and wrong decisions are made.
But public perception and accountability is important, especially when it comes to an important organisation such as the police.
This should be fully and independently investigated and the results of that inquiry made public.
Related story: Files destroyed in Tauranga murder case
Real estate boost
It is heartening to see the property marketing heating up.
Yesterday's front-page story revealed May had been the best May for sales and median prices in Tauranga and the Mount Maunganui/Papamoa real estate areas since 2007.
The property market is an important barometer for the local economy. If people are buying and selling real estate at competitive prices, it helps stimulate other sectors. The strong month comes at a time when there is so much gloomy economic news and businesses suffering.
But hopefully it inspires buyers and sellers and we have an even better June.
Related story: Housing market: higher prices, more sales