Your View: Leave our perfect Mauao well alone

I didn't want to see a compass on the top of Mauao, so I am glad of the decision that rejects this idea.
Mauao should be kept as clean from any permanent human structures as possible into the future so that the essence of the mountain can speak for itself and people who visit Mauao can be present to their own interpretation of their quality time with the Maunga just as he is. The view is stunning, the ambience at the top, especially on days when the weather is wild, is thrilling.
On any day being on the track, in the bush and at the summit, is calming and natural.
Nature is rarely represented as sacred in this day and age and those pushing for a compass to be imposed on the summit were being disrespectful to nature and iwi kaitiaki in my opinion. If people are not happy with Mauao just as he is and feel a need to change something about Mauao in order to ease their discontent, then I suggest they stay away until they can accept that the failing is theirs.
Mauao is a perfect gift and isn't required to provide guests of iwi and nature, with a desperate need to tutu, a place to permanently change that which is already perfect.
Graeme Butler
Tauranga
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Rise Up amazing
I would like to acknowledge Rise Up Tauranga and the amazing work they have done and are still doing for Christchurch and its people. In particular Rosalie Crawford and Karen Clare who have worked so tirelessly to help those in need and have provided ongoing support. From the bottom of my heart I would like to thank the people of the Bay for their support and generosity.
Thank you.Lucinda KnappTaurangaThanks for storyRe Inside Story, Bay of Plenty Times Weekend, July 23.
Thanks for writing this feature, I think your reporter did an excellent job at trying to capture the wide range of activities so many people are doing under the umbrella of Rise Up Tauranga. It really is a grass roots, community-led co-ordinated response that has engaged so many people and organisations to do their bit for Christchurch people.
We have had more incoming phone calls offering help in many ways, plus more Christchurch people connecting up too.
Building hope back into people when their world has been broken is a privilege none of us take lightly, and it's fantastic to see someone pick up pieces of their life and rebuild. It's a very brave thing for people to leave their home in Christchurch and start anew, and awesome that so many Tauranga people have opened hearts and homes to welcome our new friends.
I want to thank all the hundreds of people that have joined with me and others, and got on board this project, for their support and enthusiasm and the way they've mobilised their own groups.
Rosalie Crawford
Bethlehem
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Cotton wool kids
I saw an item on the news concerning a current measles outbreak and it showed parents rushing post-haste to vaccinate their children.
Are we becoming a woosie lot - I remember when my children had measles, mumps, chicken-pox - they were kids and that is what happens!
They stayed home for the requisite number of days and recovered, then returned to school and all was well.
I even caught mumps from one of my sons and I survived, and so did they.
As a child I lived in Samoa and Fiji where my father was a teacher, I landed up in hospital with a mild dose of polio, but once again I am still here to tell the tale. Every day above ground is a good one, but I cannot imagine that a dose of measles would be a huge risk.
Are we now meant to wrap said children in the proverbial cotton-wool to prevent the usual childhood illnesses or am I taking this too lightly?
Robin Bishop
Pyes Pa