Letters: Fortunate ones, hospitality staff, superannuation and fisheries

Has New Zealand been living in a relatively idyll for the past 16 months? Photo / Dean Purcell

Remember how fortunate we are

Amazing how short people's memories are in New Zealand, as various commentators look enviously at the imminent "opening up" in the US and the UK.
We could have adopted the USA/UK approach to Covid-19, and on a proportional basis would likely have had somewhere between 400,000 to 500,000 cases, which would have swamped our health services, with at least 9000 direct deaths from Covid-19, not to mention the indirect deaths from displaced medical care.
We've had 2758 cases, mostly in managed quarantine facilities from international arrivals, and only 26 deaths. The "price" we've paid for avoiding severe illness and bereavement is somewhat longer constraints on our international travel, while having had more consistent domestic freedoms and a better overall economic performance.
The vaccine rollout here has been slowed by comparison to the USA and UK, as vaccine supplies were prioritised to those two countries based on their medical emergencies.
At worst, we'll be six months or so "behind" these other countries, while avoiding the worst of the pandemic, and living in a relatively idyllic country for the past 16 months.
Peter Wharton, Pt Chevalier.

Inhospitable
The borders are closed to protect the New Zealand public from Covid-19. Is the hospitality industry seriously suggesting we should all risk being exposed to Covid-19, by opening the borders, because they can't find people to pour beer and wash dishes?
I think they also forget that opening the borders also opens up the potential of further Covid-19 surges, which would result in further lockdowns. You cannot open at all in Level 1 and 2 lockdowns.
Due to Covid-19, in November 2020, over 100,000 New Zealanders lost their jobs. There is a huge group of New Zealanders who have been made redundant in the last year. Surely, surely, the hospitality industry can't be saying, under such circumstances that no New Zealanders will work for them?
And if that is the case, we would all just have to be asking a huge: Why?
Frances Easterbrook, Mt Albert.

Super opportunity
By raising our rate of contributions into the NZ Super Fund, we would not only keep its entitlement age sustainable at 65, but also raise our national wealth ownership and productivity rate. This will also deliver higher earnings potential through more investable capital per citizen.
Perhaps a higher national savings rate through the taxation system is politically more acceptable if it is to personal accounts, in which case any money not spent on its owner's NZ Super will belong to his/her estate for the benefit of the next generation.
More taxation revenue for this purpose could be available, e.g. through a mild capital transactions tax or stamp duty.
Jens Meder, Pt Chevalier.

Sustainable fisheries
Concerns have been raised about bottom trawling on seamounts. We too are concerned that New Zealand's marine environment is protected.
In 2006, we asked the government to close 30 per cent of the EEZ to bottom trawling, including half of all seamounts. The government agreed, added to our proposals and implemented these closures in 2007.
NIWA advises there are 142 seamounts within New Zealand waters. MPI advises only 15 of these seamounts have been trawled once or more - leaving 90 per cent completely untouched by bottom trawling.
Each year, less than 2 per cent of New Zealand's oceans are trawled, harvesting occurring in the same areas that have been fished for decades. Compare this relatively light footprint for food production in our oceans with that on land, where 37 per cent of New Zealand has been ecologically transformed for food production.
The numbers of trawlers and trawl tows have decreased by around 40 per cent since 2006 while maintaining the same catch levels.
Seafood production from New Zealand's EEZ incurs levels of greenhouse gas emissions and changes to biodiversity that have been assessed to be among the lowest, compared with alternative protein sources.
We respect the oceanic environment that sustains us and believe New Zealanders can be reassured.
George Clement, CEO, Deepwater Group.

Job satisfaction
Many years ago when I was in the workforce and my skills were much in demand, I approached my boss at the time and asked for a rise and implied that I was dissatisfied with the company and would leave if I didn't get one. His reply to me was, if I was dissatisfied I should leave, as no amount of money would change that, so I left.
A few years later we bumped into each other and he asked how I was getting on and I told him it was the best move I ever made, the money was good and I was totally committed to the new company.
I asked him how his company got on after I left and he said that they had replaced me with someone not as skilled but totally committed to the company so he said it had worked out great for both of us.
The moral of this story is that if you are dissatisfied where you are working, leave, it would be better for both companies and no amount of money will ever change that.
Tony Barnett, Pukekohe.

Meth-odology
Your editorial (NZ Herald, July 7) about dominant meth abuse regions is all very well and surely factually correct. You only have to drive an hour from Taupō to notice the poverty in Tokoroa, Kawerau or Rotorua. These three towns have great assets in either forestry, scenery or tourism drawcards, so there's actually little excuse for economic deprivation. Yet, none of them has been helped out of this evil poverty trap, caused by substance abuse.
If, since 2014, as you stated, no improvements have been seen in these towns - and all the other settlements in the north and east of the North Island - then there may not have been any compassion from our previous and present governments, where simple logistical tracking of gang movements could have averted the ongoing damage inflicted.
If a large corporate player were to avoid paying taxes or GST on goods delivered, soon the Inland Revenue Department would pounce on them; yet gangs have been handed an exemption. How convenient. Never mind the pain, hurt and cost to the taxpayer-funded health care to treat subsequent mental and physical health issues.
René Blezer, Taupō.

Planner sector
Re: the letter headed "Building monstrous" (NZ Herald, July 6), the statement "there is potential for adverse effects to occur which are minor" was probably not made by an architect, but by a planner.
This is the response by David Curtis CEO of the NZ Planning Institute to a recent inquiry by me: "NZPI is an incorporated association formed according to the appropriate legislation. It does not operate under a specific government charter and its legal authority is defined generally in the incorporated societies act.
As the planning profession in New Zealand is unregulated, the Institute provides a means of self-regulation for the industry, with membership signalling peer recognition of a member's proficiency in the practice of planning. Membership includes acceptance of and accountability to a code of conduct. As such, membership is positively regarded by bodies such as councils, the Environment Court etc. However, the unregulated nature of the profession means membership is optional. This means there are definitely people practising as planners who are not members of the Institute."
So there you have it, planners, who in my opinion hold more influence than they should over decisions made by Auckland Council, need have no qualifications at all, nor be regulated by a professional body. Now you know why you get what you get.
Rod McMahon, Birkenhead.

Something is odd
The full-page Government Covid ads ask us to call out fake news.
As an over 65, I was told we (group 3) would be due for our vaccination in May or June. We tried to book with our DHB numerous times, only to be met with an engaged signal.
Then I read (NZ Herald, July 6) Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern saying we were all on, sorry, ahead of schedule, and group 3 (us) would by now have at least been contacted, if not already vaccinated (first round).
To quote: "People over 65 and with relevant underlying health conditions should have been contacted about their Covid-19 vaccinations with just the 'odd exception'."
We have not been contacted, our over 65 friends have not been contacted, and we can't even contact the Covid DHB people ourselves.
When I finally got through, I was told they are still only taking bookings for group 1 and 2.
All our 65-plus friends have the same story; even the GPs have no idea what is happening. Yet the ads are telling group 4 to start making bookings. I'm calling out fake news.
Gerard Besamusca, Waihi.

Koha well placed
The furore that some National Party members have launched over the independent Human Rights Commissioner Paul Hunt giving a $200 koha to Mongrel Mob Waikato Kingdom astounds me for a number of reasons.
Firstly, it shows a complete lack of respect and empathy for tikanga Māori. Yes, there are some very unsavoury elements in gang culture, including that of National who have lost a number of MPs lately for practices that no reputable organisation should tolerate.
What Paul Hunt was trying to achieve was engagement and dialogue with the upper echelon of this chapter of Mongrel Mob members to listen to, understand and work together through whatever grievances or other issues they may have.
Surely that is $200 well spent, if any resolution to these may be achieved? I think National could actually donate another $200 to the same people, who could advise them how to build a cohesive society.
Jeremy Coleman, Hillpark.

Entrust dividend
The trustees of Entrust (owner of 75 per cent of Vector) are about to distribute a share of the Vector dividend the trust receives to electricity consumers who live in the old Auckland Electric Power Board area. The payment is likely to be about $280 each.
Would it not be so much more beneficial to all Aucklanders to devote the total dividend to undergrounding overhead services as was promised by the AEPB in the 1970s?
More than 50 per cent of dwellings and businesses in the city now have underground supply to street poles and overhead lines, making conversion easy.
Lip service is paid to "undergrounding" but there is very little action. Unsightly poles can go and the ugly butchering of street trees to protect wiring can cease.
Peter Stenhouse, Remuera.

Cyclist's part
I 100 per cent agree with Alan Walker (NZ Herald, July 6) regarding the lady who caused the crash during Tour de France.
I have watched the incident several times in slow motion; she was not entirely to blame.
I question the actions of cyclist Tony Martin, who ran into her. He had many metres to take decisive action.
Fans on the road are nothing new during the tour; the whole of France cannot be roped off. If this fan had jumped into the group as the peloton reached her, that is a different matter.
Robin Gambrill (ex UK rep and French-based professional cyclist), Te Awamutu.

Short & sweet

On super
The PM says pensions will not change on her watch. No doubt pensions will change under some alternative disguise. Just like capital gains tax and no new taxes. Pim Venecourt, Pāpāmoa.

On rugby
No need to criticise the All Blacks victory over Tonga. With all the wasted time in rugby union these days, scoring a try every five minutes is no small feat. Glenn Forsyth, Taupō.

On vagrant
The unsavoury person encountered in Quay St by Coralie van Camp (NZ Herald, July 7) has no doubt just moved down from Customs St, where he had occupied the Tamaki Drive bus stop seat meant for older passengers. Pamela Russell, Ōrākei.

The Quay St alterations have been open for about a week and a very fine job has been done. It hasn't taken long to demand dividers on the bench seats to avoid embarrassment but, as citizens, we all have rights. Trevor Agnew, Remuera.

On meth
Wednesday's editorial (NZ Herald, July 7) discusses the various harms of addiction and benefits to gangs. The situation would improve if addicts were simply given free drugs, along with counselling, and social support. sadly, no government will be brave enough to trial such a regime. Chris Elias, Mission Bay.

On Labour
Does the outspoken opposition to the Government's proposed "hate speech" legislation point to a waning in support for the Labour Party's extensive social engineering programme? Liam Hatch, Mt Albert.

Premium Debate

Australian example

As a daily reader of Australian media, you could almost copy and paste Prebble's commentary, as identical criticisms are levelled at the Aussie PM every week. Slow vaccine roll-out; last in the queue; vaccine hesitancy; why did you choose Astra Zeneca; closed borders; MIQ hopeless; 45,000 Aussies can't get home; getting left behind in the world; hopeless government; look at Israel, USA etc etc. Sound familiar? Are the comments on either side of the Tasman justified? About half and half for mine. Marcus H

It would be great if we could be let in on what the plan is for when we eventually intend to live with Covid-19, open the border, etc. I guess that only works if we have a plan. Anna K

The reality is that the rest of the world is now heading in the direction of going to treat Covid-19 as just another flu and resume life as normal. UK, Australia and now Singapore for example. So what is our strategy? Elimination - and be the odd one out? Denzil P

Excellent article. Covid-19 is going to be around forever. Elimination strategy can only ever be a temporary solution. Chris Hipkins says everybody in NZ will be offered a vaccination by the end of the year. It doesn't matter whether that ends up being 60 per cent or 80 per cent of the population, that is when we should open the borders. Deniers and anti-vaccination groups can then find out whether their chosen pathway works for them, or whether natural selection weeds them out. David J

I'm a fifth-generation Kiwi stuck in Brisbane for extra two weeks. Yes, it was our risk but we were horrified to find there was no option to quarantine with MIQ booked until November. We are now, after spending extra time here being allowed home with a signed declaration and a negative test. Why couldn't this have been the option two weeks ago? Where is the plan going forward? The plan to live with Covid, mask up outside compulsory, and sanitise, distance rules. It's the only way out. Sue A

Oh dear. There's a great many things this Government could be doing better in all of this, but following Australia is absolutely not one of them. Their management of Covid-19 has been an absolute shambles and we should not take our cues from them. Deborah H

Prebble is preaching to the choir in this forum. But most Kiwis will shake their heads in disbelief at a serious suggestion to follow Australia's Covid policy. New Zealand's vaccination rollout is not in complete shambles as many here daily misleadingly suggest.
New Zealand will most likely be close to herd immunity roughly the same time as the rest of the world. There are many reasons to criticise the Government - he couldn't be more mistaken here. Erik P