Letters: Government’s austerity drive doesn’t apply to the rich

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Finance Minister Nicola Willis. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Letters to the Editor

Kiwis duped by austerity drive

In these austere times, we are constantly being told that we can’t have “nice-to-haves” anymore. At first, many people seemed to accept this, but now most are starting to realise they have been duped.

How come the “wealthy and sorted” groups in our country are still living lives of plenty, while poverty is cutting a swathe of misery through the lives of many others? Adequate food, housing and healthcare are beyond the reach of hundreds of thousands of our population. These are not “nice-to-haves”, they are basic human rights.

The lowest-paid workers have been told they will get a 1.5% increase in the minimum wage, which will do nothing to alleviate their suffering. Obfuscation will not hide the fact the current regime is punching down on the poor and vulnerable, while giving a helping hand to their supporters in the private sector.

History tells us over and over that successful governments don’t walk away from investing in the public during hard times, they pour resources into the public realm. After all, this is where their funds came from. Our leaders are not “spending wisely”, but have abandoned the people who need them most. Meanwhile, the rich are getting richer at our expense. We need a New Deal!

Vivien Fergusson, Mt Eden.

Cause and effect

It is unbelievable Minister of Finance Nicola Willis doesn’t seem to understand that taxes are down because of job losses instigated by her Government. The country will never be in surplus at this rate and hopefully by 2028 she will be long gone, along with the rest of this Government.

The suggestion to tax charities is a good one, but Willis will be reluctant to do this because of the Government’s regular bleating that the Labour Party loves raising taxes.

This coalition Government has created hard times for most of us, with prescription charges being reinstated, car registration to rise, insurance, rates, power – the list goes on. Tax cuts are another much-touted advantage to people. Well, my $1.50 a week is overwhelming – I can never decide quite what to spend it on.

Sharon Marks, Te Aroha.

Immigration balance

Immigration is a hot topic, especially when it comes to balancing the benefits and challenges of welcoming new residents. New Zealand’s points-based system aims to ensure immigrants contribute positively to the country. Medical costs are indeed a significant factor in this process, as the healthcare system is already under strain.

Correspondent Rosemary Mackenzie raises an important point about the potential benefits of allowing an applicant with a son who has autism to immigrate (NZ Herald, December 17). While the estimated $81,000 for medical and educational costs might seem high, it’s virtually impossible to predict these expenses accurately due to the ever-changing nature of healthcare costs.

It’s crucial to consider the broader picture. While we have many talented applicants, being selective is essential to maintaining a sustainable healthcare system. Refugees, on the other hand, are assessed under different criteria, reflecting their unique circumstances and needs.

Balancing compassion and practicality is key in immigration policies.

Ian MacGregor, Greenhithe.

Unfair cop

I am a bit puzzled by the reaction to the police group visit to China (NZ Herald, December 16). Our police have liaison responsibilities with 196 countries through Interpol, and I understand police officers sometimes attend training courses in other parts of the world, including the United States.

Surely our well-trained police can be relied on to maintain their integrity if confronted with approaches to policing that would be considered unacceptable here? Yes, a hosted visit to China would probably involve self-promotion or even propaganda. So would a visit to the US, where harsh policing methods are not unknown. But it is a bit insulting to suggest the police would not be capable of sifting the wheat from the chaff. If the visit helped the group to understand a bit more about Chinese culture and history, I cannot see a problem.

Maire Leadbeater, Mt Albert.

Honourable mention

No matter whether you are for or against Winston Peters, it has to be said that he is one of the most experienced and effective Members of Parliament and has been for the past 46 years.

Peters will be 80 in early April, and is currently one of our most successful Foreign Ministers, if not our best. I cannot think of anyone who has done a better job.

Let’s give him a New Year’s honour in the form of a knighthood. This would no doubt give him a huge boost and enhance his and New Zealand’s reputation while he is driving foreign affairs internationally. He has earned it.

Randal Lockie, Rothesay Bay.