The Bay of Plenty Times welcomes letters and comments from readers. Below you can read the letters we have published in your newspaper today.
TODAY'S LETTERS
Foreshore proposals not hard to understand
Poor Maureen Anderson of Pyes Pa who has, for over a year, inundated newspapers with her attacks on the National Party and the Marine and Coastal Area (Takutai Moana) Bill. Now it has been passed, she alleges that National Party MPs throughout the country have not read the bill through.
Sadly, it is Maureen Anderson who has not scrutinised the bill in which Prime Minister John Key and our own MP, Simon Bridges, reiterate again and again that the bill allows free access to all New Zealanders to the beach and foreshore, enabling them to carry out their usual activities of enjoyment, including aquaculture and the operation of ports.
How many times does it need to be said that the bill will allow Maori to seek customary title to areas they have exclusively occupied since 1840.
How many Maori can prove that and even if a tiny number could, it sits alongside free public access to all New Zealanders. And why do Hone Harawira and other Maori activists try to block the bill?
Because it does not give them the powers they seek.
Maureen Anderson ought to change her surname to "Thomas" after the Doubting Thomas in the Bible who, no matter how many truths and facts were put before him, always doubted.
MARY BROOKS, Tauranga
Past its date
Referring to "Why NZ radio is past sell-by date to its listeners (guest editorial, Bay of Plenty Times, March 26) Max Christoffersen is right on with this article. I couldn't agree more.
Commercial radio holds no interest for me any more and hasn't for over two decades now. But there is one haven - public radio. RadioNZ is a taonga in this country. I love it and have done since I was in my early 20s.
In my travels in the United States I discovered that their NPR is a treasure there too, and well worth listening to.
Frankly, I don't miss local commercial radio at all, and like the national focus our RadioNZ gives.
I don't know if many people listen to the radio through the net yet, except Poms pining for the BBC.
GREG COMFORT, Christchurch
Fine art effort
On Friday, March 18, I attended an art auction held with the sole aim of raising money for the homeless and stricken families of the Christchurch earthquake.
A big thanks to Tauranga U3A, and to Mary Brooks whose idea it was to hold this auction and worked tirelessly to make it happen. It was a resounding success, with $3500 raised from the kind people who donated their beautiful art for this auction, and the generosity of the people who bid.
A big thanks to the auctioneer, Ellen Orr from Bay Auctions, who gave her services free and to the people who joined in the spirit of an auction solely for charity having fun bidding and knowing it was all in a good cause. A rather novel way of making their contributions to help their fellow human beings.
How wonderful to know that in times of trouble New Zealanders rise to the occasion and show such generosity and community spirit.
A TAYLOR, Tauranga
Pool planning
I see that independent commissioner Greg Hill has refused the application to refurbish and extend the Mount hot pools (Bay of Plenty Times, March 24). In the same report Cr Murray Guy said that hundreds of thousands of dollars had been spent on the process and Tauranga City Aquatics (TCAL) board member Cr David Stewart said that the reason they went ahead was because of a council decision.
Given that TCAL is a limited liability company, regardless of the shareholders (Tauranga City Investments 82.5 per cent and TECT 17.5 per cent according to the Companies Office), responsibility and possibly liability for wasting hundreds of thousands of dollars rests solely with the directors of TCAL.
The Institute of Directors has summed that responsibility up as "directors must act in good faith in the best interests of their company".
Clearly, if the TCAL directors thought they were acting in the best interests of their company, they are responsible.
If they thought the council resolution was not in the best interest of their company but proceeded anyway they have breached the fundamental duty of a director and, if that is the case, in my opinion are not fit and proper people to hold such office.
ALLAN GIFFORD, Tauranga
No show of a park
Midday on Sunday, March 27, I wanted to go to the Rita Angus exhibition at the Art Gallery.
There was no parking on the streets nearby. I went to the carpark on the Strand and no carparks were available there.
I then went to a parking building - not open.
Other people were also trying to find parking.
I went to Fraser Cove for lunch, the lunch I would have had on the Strand. And I would have also done some shopping in the city if only I had been able to find a park.
WENDY GALLOWAY, Omokoroa
Timely support
The guest editorial by Merle Braithwaite on National Standards is timely and informative (Bay of Plenty Weekend, March 19).
Let us hope that Anne Tolley and her team at the Department of Education are ready with support, money and trained specialist teachers for those children who require extra one-on-one help that it is not possible to give in a normal classroom situation.
LAWRENCE WOODS, Katikati
When writing to us, please note the following:
- Letters should not exceed 200 words
- If possible, please email or use the 'Have your Say' option on the website
- No noms-de-plume
- Please include your address and phone number (for our records only)
- Letters may be abridged, edited or refused at the editor's discretion
- The editor's decision to publish is final. Rejected letters are usually not acknowledged
Email:
Text: 021 439 968
