The new road on to the toll road can't come soon enough.
Jens Wulff Katikati
History repeats
Those who don't know history are condemned to repeat it.
Obviously, the majority of the councillors at Western Bay District Council do not know their history by voting for Maori wards on Tuesday.
Dieu et mon droit, God and my right, or religion and inheritance, was the world order several centuries ago.
Humankind took a great leap forward in just about every way when one person, one vote became the governance of choice.
Those earlier times were not called the Dark Ages for nothing.
Introducing tribal-based unelected appointees to the council membership is in no way democratic.
Tribalism and racism are two sides of the same coin and must be rejected as a governance model.
Let us hope that a poll of ratepayers does the right thing here.
G Faulkner Tauranga
Tourist tsunami coming
Prepare for a tourist tsunami. The wider the net the bigger the catch.
If you don't believe it or cannot comprehend the experience, take a trip to other countries and see it for yourself. Parking areas, visitor centres that incorporate shops, cafes and virtual tours.
Tourist mania is sweeping the world, and prepared or not, our country will get its turn. How we manage this fast-growing industry is up to us.
Let us not be too occupied debating the issues, but rather get on and deliver a best-place-on-earth experience for our visitors.
David Travers-Watt Otumoetai