Out of depth
There is hot debate about the Government's desire to centralise water infrastructure management and decision making. Most of it degenerating into the old socialism/communism dogma.
At the moment water infrastructure spending is decided by elected mayors and councillors who in the main are retired school teachers, bank managers etc, who are manifestly unqualified to make such decisions involving billions of dollars of spend. Consequently, much of this money is simply wasted and the ratepayers have to foot the bill. Examples are Kaipara and Whanganui.
The old Ministry of Works was disbanded in the 1980s in favour of competitive tendering and the consequent outcomes in my view have not been good. I think this removal of decision-making from unqualified councils and centralising it within a qualified body will significantly reduce pollution of waterways and the coastline, guarantee safe drinking water for all, and protect ratepayers from the ravages of poor outcomes.
Paul Cheshire, Maraetai.
Keys to security
Correspondent Marie Kaire suggests (NZ Herald, July 20), "Government has to be big, brave and bold and provide a liveable benefit or top up low wages for those in need". Certainly sympathetic, however reality suggests state expenditure is confronting financial constraints. Instead, education, qualifications and job prospects are still the key to financial security, particularly in a country with serious shortages of skilled labour. With literacy and numeracy standards issues facing many school leavers together with the increasing incidence of school truancy, it is no surprise many confront an uncertain future.
Marie is correct, the announced 3.3 per cent inflation forecast will ensure July's $20 benefit increase will be quickly absorbed by rising costs, the predictable outcome for those caught in the welfare trap.
P. J. Edmondson, Tauranga.
Add minister
I have just heard the Minister of Police, in promoting her stance of not supporting the side-arming of police, stating a couple of times that she is representing Māori and Pasifika.
Can Jacinda have a scratch around to try to find someone who can represent us as well. It would also be helpful if whoever she finds could also represent the police themselves.
The minister seems to think that armaments available to the frontline police in a locked box are all that is needed.
John Olesen, St Heliers.
What affront
It is disingenuous that Auckland's waterfront infrastructure costs should be lumped in by accounting sleight of hand, with the cost of running the regatta itself.
All the America's Cup did was stir the bureaucrats to get off their fat backsides and do the work that needed to be done to bring the waterfront up to a standard we can be proud of.
Derek Paterson, Sunnyhills.
Fully furnished
Housing development costs that must include "nice to haves" is the reason behind ballooning costs.
All a first home buyer ever wants is a warm, dry house.
All those ancillary things like decorating, curtains, carpet, a dishwasher or a garden can come much later. There are plenty of sales where curtains of choice can be purchased when finances allow.
This expectation that the grass has to be green before one moves in is nonsense.
Do away with all these frills and houses might be a reality for first home owners.
John Ford, Taradale.
Ferry land
I note with bemusement the figures delivered by Michael Wood (NZ Herald, July 20), as to why a cycle ferry option wouldn't work for Auckland.
The figures he claims are so far from fact are laughable. The $60m quoted would get a fleet of gold-plated, diamond-studded vessels. Any one of the four ferry operations currently operating on the Waitematā would jump at the chance of taking $6m a year of the taxpayer to provide such a service.
Suitable vessels already exist and most of the infrastructure is in place.
The thought that new builds are the only option are just another sign of a lack of planning, research and more especially, like the Hamilton rail service, a blind determination to follow though on an idea that is panned by everyone who can indeed offer a qualified opinion.
John Tizard, East Tāmaki .
Due process
We had the same experience as other letter writers - returning from Melbourne, having paid for a Covid test result sheet and being disappointed at not being asked to show it. However, having declared we were Covid-free on the transit sheet, would we rather be treated as adults, or as delinquents?
Some grizzle about the nanny state then on the other hand, when it suits them, complain about procedures.
Bob McGuigan, Devonport.
Well settled
The story (NZ Herald, July 20) of our 1996 colonist, Patrick Lam, the champion pie-maker from Cambodia, was heart-warming.
He joins the company of the many colonists over the past 200 years who have added a contribution of hard work and determination to make New Zealand the country we love.
John Strevens, Remuera.
Short & sweet
On alcohol
There are 16 countries where is it is illegal for a driver to consume any amount of alcohol at all (NZ Herald, July 21). It's time to change our policy. Audrey van Ryn, Auckland Central.
On Am Cup
Pull a figure out of the sky and claim that is the economic benefit, which is impossible to justify. Bruce Tubb, Belmont
Would the loss made on the America's Cup, held during the pandemic, have been questioned if it had instead been the Rugby World Cup? Nick Nicholas, Greenlane.
On vaccine
My husband received a letter reminding him to book a Covid jab. We have had one and are booked for the second. Left hand, right hand? V. Hall, Whangaparāoa.
On EVs
It is becoming obvious NZ has a shortage of electric power generation capacity and there are no major projects under way to fill the gap. If the huge planned increase of EVs comes to pass, where are we going to get the electricity to run them? Jock Mac Vicar, Hauraki.
On Chinese
It's not often a politician is lost for words. Rod Emmerson's view (NZ Herald, July 21) of Andrew Little looking completely nonplussed is a gem. Lorraine Kidd, Warkworth.
On Bezos
Earth's greatest polluter and abuser, lifting one pointed finger skyward and distancing himself from humanity. Why didn't he stay up there? Emma Mackintosh, Birkenhead.
The premium debate
Arming police
I'm an ex-officer and it's hard listening to [people] who don't go out there daily and put their lives on the line. If police were armed, there's a high chance Constable Hunt would be alive today, fact. Wake up, NZ is not the little innocent country it once was. The fact parts of society don't want police armed matters not, the crims don't care, they are heavily armed and this is just the beginning. I was always taught, don't ask others to do anything you wouldn't do. Greg C
I don't understand - taking race out of this - why a minority group is so specifically represented in this view. I'm not taking away that racial bias exists amongst all populations including police but it seems ludicrous to base an entire policing policy on one view. Surely this should be a government representing all New Zealanders? David V
I'd rather the police weren't armed. However, unfortunately society has changed for the worse and risks have increased. If I put myself in their situation and were a police officer, I would want the option of carrying a firearm. It's not ideal and creates other risks but certainly needs further consideration. Like any employee, the police deserve the tools needed to stay as safe as possible. Stephen H
Arming police creates the risk of further escalations and we don't want to end up like the US. There is no reason for the majority of people to possess or own a gun. While some farmers and recreational hunters will be affected, make it completely illegal to own a gun and introduce very harsh penalties for being in possession of a firearm or causing injury or death with a firearm. And for those concerned about legitimate interests (such as eradication of pests on farms) allow some commercial ventures to operate (under very strict conditions). No guns is a better option than arming everyone with guns. John S
I live in South Auckland and I thought I was part of the same community as my Māori and PI brothers and sisters. We talk to each other and we all agree on having Armed Response Teams is a good idea. We would rather be safe than live in fear of violence - particularly at night. Please Labour Party stop using crime/race statistics as a defence - thugs are thugs - if you do bad things expect to be punished. Jan W
Arm the cops and you escalate an arms race with the crims. The key is to get the supply of guns off the streets. It's not being soft on crims to say don't arm the cops. Quite the opposite, we've been too soft on them, and the gangs in particular, to date. That's why we've got the violence we have. We need far tougher policies to go after unregistered guns and the gangs; the cops are exposed because of the weak policies to date. Arming the cops without going after the scumbags will only result in the latter arming up even more. Do you want Detroit in NZ? Simon N
