Taking the plunge
Robin Groombridge writes (NZ Herald, September 13) that misinformation was making young people scared of getting a jab. That seems unlikely, given they have bravely fronted up to a vaccination centre.
What is more likely is that like many they are vaccine-hesitant because they are uncomfortable about getting a jab, especially at a large centre.
Those averse to needles have long found comfort in the more welcoming care of their GP. The Government should release more vaccines so GP's can do what they do best.
Paul Robertson, Hobsonville.
Unsustainable cost
There's an interesting quote in The Guardian from Kevin McCloud (Grand Designs), the same applies in New Zealand.
He finds it "iniquitous and hugely corrosive" that land values in the United Kingdom are so high because companies hoard land and drip-feed it into the market. "What's really needed is a complete radical state-controlled distribution of land and a removal of land profit from the equation. That sounds nuts and Stalinistic, but it's exactly what happens in Germany," he says.
"Since the war, our planning system unwittingly has worked in cahoots with capitalism to create an unsustainable development economy."
Rick Vine, Ponsonby.
Achieving nothing
The Climate Conference – COP26, that James Shaw is going to attend, has been held every year since 1995. Decades of meetings and the sum total achieved is one agreement, to keep global warming to 1.5 degrees. We're not even remotely on track to achieve that.
What makes Shaw think anything different will come out of this meeting? Show me any meeting of almost 200 delegates that ever achieves anything that comes even close to its objectives.
Meanwhile the emissions cost of this one is estimated at 60,000 tonnes of CO2 to which New Zealand is contributing more than its share.
What a waste in every sense of the word.
Susan Grimsdell, Auckland Central.
Presence vital
Former Prime Minister Sir John Key was fond of saying that if New Zealand solved its emissions problems and became carbon neutral "it would not make a blind bit of difference" to the worldwide problem of a worsening climate crisis. But we know now that he was wrong.
When New Zealand does something very well, as it has done in managing Covid-19, the world certainly does take notice. Achieving carbon neutrality would enhance our reputation even more. Greens co-leader James Shaw is the Government's expert on climate change and his ministerial responsibilities include representing New Zealand in international negotiations on climate change. His presence in Glasgow is vital.
Rose Lovell-Smith, Mt Roskill.
Making tracks
Auckland's public transport systems must have taken a huge financial loss from the lockdown. Furthermore, if Europe's example is anything to go on, the losses will be ongoing.
Because of the ease with which viruses spread, commuters are going to be less inclined to be crammed into buses or trains.
Investors with uncertainties around when pandemics or new pandemics might recur similarly will be reluctant to invest.
And, with the EV's set to be a much cheaper mode of transport, Auckland Mayor Phil Goff may have a much bigger white elephant than where Auckland's investment in transport was already heading.
Gary Hollis, Mellons Bay.
Tyred and terrified
Would it be possible for all cyclists over 16 years to cycle on the road in lockdown? It is near impossible for people to actually walk on the footpath in lockdown as so many kids and parents are using it for escape like most of us. I'm fully aware kids need to still use the cycle lanes but grown men? There are not even many cars on the roads at the moment so I'm sure you will all manage.
They even use the wooden walkways along the beachfront, they seem to think they can zip around on any footpath they like now, they are everywhere and they scare the hell out of one as they scream past. Do bikes still have bells?
Susan Lawrence, Meadowbank.
Doubling down
While commending Auckland Transport for maintaining public transport options for essential service workers under the Level 4 lockdown, I can't understand why double-decker buses are needed.
Night after night on our neighbourhood walks towards the Blockhouse Bay end of Mt Roskill, we see these well-lit behemoths trundling by without a single passenger on board. Why does Auckland Transport not show an ounce of care for the planet by bringing back single-deckers or even mini-buses in this time of low demand?
Mathew Dearnaley, Puketāpapa-Mt Roskill.
Back onside
The Olympics, the All Blacks, the Phoenix, the Breakers and the Warriors all play a major role in allowing us to live life as normally as is possible in the present circumstances. These sportsmen and women (excluding the America's Cup) have had to ply their trade offshore, and the All Blacks have departed on that journey. The Phoenix and Breakers are about to. The Warriors 2021 campaign has ended.
The fact that none of those teams can be given any positive dates to return to New Zealand is a tragedy. The Warriors have spent two full seasons in Australia and while some of the players can remain there, there are some players and staff who need to return to their families.
Between Sport New Zealand, NZRL, the Warriors, Sky TV and the Government, surely a solution can be found? Nothing is impossible today. In doing so, the precedent will be set to enable the All Blacks to return by Christmas.
Obstacles should not be put in the way of those athletes who continue to make sacrifices to entertain us.
Andy Deerness, Devonport.
Short & sweet
On adsCould we halt fast food advertising until all the country is at Level 3 or better? It is just rubbing more salt into the wounds of many Aucklanders.
Duncan Simpson, Hobsonville Point
On Heath
Matt Heath's column (NZ Herald, September 13) referred to "an old man's nappy hanging out". This was sexist, ageist and insensitive to people suffering incontinence. Dave Cornwell, Glendowie.
On lockdown
This continuing Auckland lockdown is an easy "out" for the Government but is too hard on our economy and income-suppressed population. There is too much suffering out there. Catherine Curlett, Remuera.
A large part of the blame for Auckland's continued lockdown can be laid at the feet of Auckland and Middlemore hospital management. As "bug breeding grounds" visitors should have been limited to one, parent or spouse, or none at all. Derek Paterson, Sunnyhills.
Auckland isn't "taking one for the team" – Auckland's been thrown under the team bus. Mike Wagg, Freemans Bay.
On briefings
Why does Jessica Mutch McKay from 1 News always get the first question for the Prime Minister? J Hopkins, Kohimarama.
On Sir Ian
Our country could perhaps be in a better place if the PM responded to comments made by Sir Ian Taylor rather than those made by the leader of the Opposition. Mike Millett, Northcote.
The Premium Debate
Auckland's light in the tunnel
The biggest problem is that we have no idea where the "end of the tunnel" is.
Despite being pressed on the issue, Jacinda Ardern refused to give answers on what the vaccination threshold is (to avoid further lockdowns).. or what level of hospitalisation is tolerable. We - the electorate - are expected to just continue to trust the PM, despite her keeping us in the dark on the plan (presumably because there isn't one), deciding policy on the fly, string us along, and let business fail by the thousands. Donald S.
They need to boost hospital resources (not build bike lanes) Also build a purpose-built MIQ facility now. Much less risk of transmission. They have had so much time to do this. Ian U.
This is not a game of whack-a-mole, why are Ardern and Bloomfield playing it like that?Lots of words but no sign of a plan with targets to get this country out of the recurring lockdowns every time an unexplained case of Covid appears. New Zealand is not a medical experiment, it's a country and business is a big part of what keeps it alive. Set a vaccination target percentage and a date to achieve it by then remove lockdowns so we can live again. Richard C.
Jacinda Ardern was pretty honest when she said there are 220,000 vaccination appointments available this week in Auckland. I am in no way defending the slow vaccination roll out which her Government is responsible for. I would like to understand why people in Auckland aren't taking up the vaccine if there are, as she says, so many vaccination appointments available. Anna K.
Jacinda Ardern acknowledges that if we are in lockdown "it's due to not having enough people vaccinated to stop an outbreak" and we know who is responsible for the slowest rollout in the developed world. Worse, the modeller Shaun Hendy says that the first factor to move to level 3 is "luck". Is there any pilot in the plane? Thierry M.
