Calling upon the Government to abide by the principles of democracy, the right to speak freely, is not an act of criticism. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Remember when New Zealand was a democracy and people had rights? Remember when you could speak freely, access and share information, and when communications between individuals were respected as private?
Now we have a government encouraging people to snitch on each other, state censorship of information, and politicised science, which cannot be debated or discussed, so that the public is led to believe the science they are hearing is impartial.
Calling on the government to abide by the principles of democracy is not an act of criticism, but compassion. If liberal norms and rights are eroded, not only will that serve to jeopardise the humanity of every New Zealander, but the humanity of politicians also.
Despite the adage to the contrary, means matter. If the means employed to accomplish an objective are dishonest, so will the end be.
Carolyn Stock, Tauranga.
Stifling debate
Bruce Logan's article "University of Auckland and cancel culture" (NZ Herald, August 2) should be compulsory reading for every New Zealander. Especially academics and politicians.
What happened at Auckland University is happening nationwide, with no signs of stopping. Cries of racism/discrimination are being used as a ploy/method/strategy to halt/stop/silence genuine debate on matters that affect everyone should be decried as the danger it is and represents.
Graham Hansen, Howick.
Response please
I invite the Vice-Chancellor of Auckland University, Dawn Freshwater, to respond to the excellent comment by Bruce Logan (NZ Herald, August 2) regarding her claim that a letter to the NZ Listener by several leading academics does not represent the view of Auckland University.
Could she explain what the university's "established view" is? Now is not the time to go hide under the table.
Dr W R H Ramsay, Kerikeri.
Goes both ways
It seems that the rising number of Covid cases in parts of Australia can be clearly linked to a large number of people showing a lack of intellectual sense by not following guidelines/rules issued by authorities. Former Prime Minister Robert Muldoon famously claimed that every New Zealander heading to Australia raised the IQ of both countries.
I wonder if the problem of the slow decline in intellectual sense in Australia is being exacerbated by the deportation of people to New Zealand?
Vicky Williamson, Bucklands Beach.
Health issues
Re: "Health system failing to cope" (NZ herald, August 2) .
I have had a number of health issues that have required multiple visits, admissions and some operations to Waikato Hospital and private specialists.
Out of sheer frustration, I went onto Google and found a diagnosis including thoracic outlet syndrome and lazy swallowing, the latter of which I had five visits to ENT and a sinus operation for. All I had to do was to throw out my big pillow and sleep on a thin one (pinched nerves in my neck due to bad sleeping posture).
I would hate to think what these visits and operation cost. When I told the specialist what I had found, they just sat there and nodded in agreement. My GP told me I shouldn't be "reading up about things on the internet".
My cure would be to give staff a number on their lapel (like the police) and a system where they can be scored. This would sort out the idiots from the real professionals.
There are some very very good health professionals but imagine how it would free up the hospitals and services if each patient's multiple wasted visits were cut by a significant number.
Ken Brough, Te Awamutu.
Media treatment
Congratulations for publishing Matt Nippert's "long read" on Pharmac (NZ Herald, July 29).
In all my many years of observing media stories on Pharmac, this would have to be one of the most balanced, comprehensive and insightful I can remember. Indeed, I came away better informed.
Too often we see front-page stories of Pharmac depicted as the "wicked witch" denying plucky and desperate families from accessing life-saving medicines. While Nippert did not flinch from covering this aspect of Pharmac's work, he did not sensationalise it but placed it in context. This is public interest journalism at its best.
Peter Davis, Emeritus Professor of Population Health and Social Science, University of Auckland.
Exercising right
Apparently it's a human right to have a home (NZ Herald, August 4). Good, as I have four kids needing homes, preferable close to family (Auckland please).
I don't care about the cost if the New Zealand Government is paying for it.
I also want reimbursing as I've done without really cool stuff for 35 years while I saved hard and bought my own old home.
Randel Case, Buckland Beach.
Defining poverty
My thanks to Mike O'Brien (NZ Herald, August 3) for clarifying the position on poverty measured as a percentage of median income, although the fact that it takes a university professor to explain it rather reinforces my point. Using an arbitrary income measurement that most of us don't understand to tell us that 20 per cent of our population is poverty-stricken is unrealistic.
For example, the sub 50 per cent of median income figure would encompass all single pensioners, or someone with $2 million in the bank and living on the current interest rates, or anyone on benefits irrespective of their asset holdings or any dealings in New Zealand's "black economy" of any kind, etc, etc, and clearly not all of these people are destitute.
Yes there is some child poverty in New Zealand, as there is in any country, but browbeating us with hugely inflated figures to score political points serves no purpose.
As I said, give us some realistic figures and collectively we might find the will to fix the problem instead of shuffling it into the too-hard basket.
John Denton, Napier.
Democratic ownership
Columnist Simon Wilson (NZ Herald, August 3) states: "We have a financial system that's stuck. All that extra debt without it being used to eliminate poverty or even try."
A pity he stops there and does not continue. The only way to eliminate poverty is through wealth creation, and that there is no other way of wealth creation than through saving and useful (i.e. profitable) investment.
Without saving for security reserves and funds for trading and investment potential, the welfare achieved only through productive work vanishes from the moment the income ceases.
In other words, our economy is somewhat "stuck" because of our collectively relatively modest (inadequate?) personal and national wealth ownership creative savings rates.
Under the principle of "compassionate capitalism" where the poor are helped and guided to become participants also in their own wealth creation, a 100 per cent "ownership democracy" without "have nots" poverty is achievable.
Jens Meder, Pt Chevalier.
Compulsory savings
David Schnauer (NZ Herald, August 3) raises some valid points about New Zealanders saving for retirement and NZ funds to finance it. I arrived in New Zealand in the mid-70's from the UK and I was surprised to find that there were no tax incentives to saving for retirement. I had heard about the Norm Kirk sensible superfund and that Rob Muldoon destroyed it, partly to gain votes. What a pity.
Nothing since then until Michael Cullen introduced Kiwisaver, a step in the right direction; however, the incentives have been depleted since then. When you consider that the Ontario teachers' pension fund is significantly larger than the $82 billion Kiwisaver fund, it shows what a long term plan can do.
Kiwisaver should have some tax incentives and should be made compulsory, forcing people to save for retirement. The Australian compulsory retirement fund, currently 12.5 per cent is a good target, though if I am correct, the compulsory part is on employers only, a flawed situation.
Kiwisaver, if compulsory on both employees and employers, would not only build a fund for retirement but would allow funds and capital to remain in New Zealand.
Iain Campbell, St Heliers.
On Carrington
How many more gold medals does Lisa Carrington have to win before the TVNZ commentators stop referring to her as a girl? Susanna La Rue, Christchurch
On immigration
Thank goodness we have Kris Faafoi as Immigration Minister. Just imagine what it would be like if an indecisive procrastinator were in charge. Keith Berman, Remuera.
On poll
As Labour slips further in the polls, watch the Government rediscover the merits of open public consultation for its plans along with a decline in its arrogance quotient. Larry Mitchell, Rothesay Bay.
On knowledge
Trying to liken "science" with "mātauranga Māori" is not only mistaken but also mischievous. And so is limiting the study of New Zealand history in schools to the impact of colonisation on Māori. David English, Northcote.
On housing
As soon as investors started using houses as revenue, investments and somewhere to stash their money, humanity took a dive. No one in New Zealand or investors overseas should own more than two housesSteve O'Brien, Hamilton.
I love the enthusiasm of those buying EVs and I am sure that as the technology improves particularly in the area of fast and frequent located charging units, and mechanics who are trained in rectifying problems quickly, they will be the vehicles of the future. However for me requiring to travel extensively between Auckland, Napier, Wellington and many rural places in between, an EV is too scary right now. Good for small town and city commutes though, which is good. Alan S.
"Electric vehicle sales are concentrated in Auckland". Probably because then townies in rural areas won't buy out of loyalty to their farmer mates. That's understandable, though in the end they'll all be buying EVs, regardless. Anyway, it proves the feebate policy has real legs. EV sales will just keep on getting stronger and stronger from here on in. National will have no choice but to keep the policy until EVs reach more than half the NZ vehicle fleet - an inevitability. Timothy T
Watch as the demand for more power necessitates the need for more dirty coal to be imported to fire our power stations, thereby negating the impact EVs will have on the environment. Jo B.
Sad to see my Hyundai Kona electric isn't mentioned. With a 450km pure electric range, I have had it since 2019 and am more in love than I was on the day I bought it. Massive fuel savings (electricity costs are about a third the cost of equivalent petrol kilometrage), So quiet, and goes like a boy racer. I would have loved an $8000 rebate, but 45,000km at a third of the fuel cost, I figure I am winning anyway. Alisa B.
The numbers look good, but very soon we will see charges on the public fast-charge system, and road tax odometer charge, as with diesels. Add in the throwaway potential at the 10-year mark with replacement battery costs, the lack of recycling (yet) for old batteries, and the reliance on imported coal to keep these charged, I wonder if the tail is wagging the dog at present. Rob K.
Please check that none of the new owners claiming the feebate are owing money for MIQ. John T.
Police are appealing for more information.