Paul Beck, West Harbour.
No free lunch
Foreign investment can move the economy along but it does have its downside, where a country can lose control of its destiny (Feb 10).
For instance with banks owned by foreign investors the profits often leave the country without enhancing the economy. The same could be said for private-public partnerships. There is a risk of losing control of strategic industries which in the end the consumer pays the price.
We only have to look at our electricity prices to realise that. There is no such thing as a free lunch.
Reg Dempster, Albany.
Housing market
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the Government accepts most wealthy foreign investors “don’t love renting”.
When will the Government accept most New Zealanders who have to rent, including those who have lived here and worked all their lives, but still can’t afford to buy a home of their own due to being unable to compete in the inflated NZ housing market with wealthy investors don’t love renting either.
Isaac Broome, Pukekohe.
Waitangi wonder
On Waitangi Day we discovered a new and eloquent voice many of us had never heard before: Justin Tipa, the chair of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu.
What many of us are thinking but unable to articulate was there in his speech, woven in gold and greenstone. Across the motu spectacular events were organised by Māori in partnerships and to which all were welcome. Waitangi at Waititi, in West Auckland, just gets bigger and better every year. A microcosm of how this nation can thrive, the smoke and alcohol-free event attended by tens of thousands was healthy, happy, vibrant and welcoming.
Best of all was the sight of joyful tamariki exuding confidence of bright futures ahead of them. Partnership is the answer.
We are the only country in the world with an indigenous Māori culture, it’s the very thing that makes our country so special. Partnership is the answer, not the problem. Let’s all hold hands honouring the past, walking forward into a bright prosperous future.
Samantha Cunningham, Henderson.
Tipping point
While New Zealand as a whole had the coldest January since 2017 the world had the hottest on record, a whopping 1.75 degrees warmer than the previous high.
It increasingly looks like climate warming has reached a tipping point, which means the consequences for all of us will get worse and be more and more difficult to stop.
I cannot understand why our Government seems not to recognise that reality. While New Zealand’s impact on warming is small in comparison to other countries, it is no excuse for continuing to do very little, or more of the same.
We should be looking at what are the potential scenarios for New Zealand not just in weather events but the possibility of, for example, conflicts as people compete for resources such as water, and significant disruptions to production and global trade. The more New Zealand is capable of sustainability and self-sufficiency the more it will be able to limit the impact and protect itself.
I also find it hard to understand politicians and their supporters who seem to ignore the consequences of their inaction for our grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
David Hood, Hamilton.
DIY ferries
Regarding purchasing new ferries, why can’t we build our own? We have plenty of experienced boatbuilders here. We are known for our luxury superyachts. Let’s build our own ferries, this would give work to hundreds of local people throughout both islands.
Rachel Day, Tauranga.
Not so rosy
Auckland’s Parnell Rose Gardens is still invaluable to many ratepayers, residents and visitors and has been since 1914. The rose garden area is still well maintained with so many healthy roses and many native trees.
However, the areas near the foreshore cliff adjacent to the Mayor Robbie memorial need urgent maintenance. Trees are wind-damaged; a monument to the twin city of Busan appears forgotten. Auckland Council must always fully maintain existing public parks before creating yet more parks also needing maintenance.
Des Laery, Meadowbank.
