Porous border
We arrived from Queensland on Sunday. We too got our pre-departure negative Covid tests. They were cursorily checked in Queensland before we checked in with Air New Zealand but not on arrival in NZ.
No e-gates were open, so all passengers were checked by a Customs officer on arrival. We were not asked to prove a negative test and, as far as I could tell, no one else was asked either. There was very random temperature checking going on. This is simply a failure.
Why put restrictions in place if they are not policed? I am sure none of us passengers would have objected to delayed arrival to keep NZ safe.
No proof of a Covid test - go to MIQ. This is just an encouragement to those who can't be bothered.
Alan Kemp, Herne Bay.
World's envy
The chief executive of the Auckland Business Chamber has stated (NZ Herald, July 14) that New Zealand lacks a road map to remove Covid restrictions which is holding NZ's businesses back while overseas countries such as the UK are planning to open up their economies and live with Covid.
The UK, plus all the other countries with similar ideas, don't have a plan. They are simply surrendering to Covid and it appears they are prepared to accept millions of additional deaths and the resulting declining economies all around the world because they lack the willpower to face up to Covid.
Michae Barnett also names a number of countries allowing tourism such as Mexico, which has one of the highest death rates in the world.
Barnett should look closer at what New Zealand has achieved with the farming industry booming and the record number of plane seats sold over the school holidays due to the booming internal travel market that has replaced overseas tourists. Consequently, NZ's low Covid death rate and overall thriving economy is the envy of the world and recognised as such by the world's leading economists and bankers.
David Mairs, Glendowie.
Water solution
We all deserve clean water and effective wastewater treatment.
Three Waters will not deliver - instead, it will raise costs and build an army of bureaucrats.
The problem is simple – small water authorities lack the ability to analyse drinking water. This can cause serious health problems.
Solve this problem by mandating all water authorities to regularly send samples of their water to a well-equipped testing laboratory. Failed samples require the water supplier to immediately cease supply and fix the problem.
A small price for safe water.
Erik Marjo, Milford.
University challenged
Professor Michael Neill's recent opinion article (NZ Herald, July 12) is a timely wake-up call. Our universities are being shredded of their basic responsibilities, to research, teach, and store knowledge within the climate of autonomy and academic freedom.
The falling staff to student ratio has to be halted and redeemed. It is a disgrace compared with other developed countries. It is no wonder our world rankings are falling. It is more of a wonder that we do as well as we do. But how far do we have to fall before action is taken? We are on the cusp of educational mediocrity.
His second point is just as troubling. The current emphasis on funding STEM subjects, science, technology, engineering and mathematics, at the expense of poorer funding for arts and humanities, is devastating for civil society. STEM is great for high-tech jobs but it is nothing without the innovative thinking and boundless creative vision which the arts provide. Inject the arts back in and we have STEAM, a means to forge a cleaner, clearer and increasingly enhanced civil society for New Zealand.
Christine Keller Smith, Northcote Pt.
Post-Covid plans
Michael Barnett, as ever sensible and constructive (NZ Herald, July 14), regarding the lack of any economic plan by the Government going forward into a continuing and/or post-Covid world, raises a question in the minds of ordinary New Zealanders.
Maybe our Government does not have a plan. The alternative is that it does have a plan but does not want to disclose it to the hoi polloi.
I believe that the latter is the most likely, which, if so, suggests that there are political and/or other reasons why the Government does not want us to know what its plans are.
Steve Clerk, Meadowbank.
Cuban plight
What do successive American administrations have against the Cubans? Have they done them any harm to justify the endless and indiscriminate sanctions which deny ordinary Cubans even the most basic of medicines?
Is it because the Cubans have an "authoritarian " government? The Americans have had a long history of installing and supporting despotic rulers when they believed it suited their interests. After the Afghanistan debacle, one might have thought the Biden administration might have better things to do than continuing to punish their tiny neighbour.
We expected this punitive approach from the ghastly Trump and the lunatic Republicans. Surely this is a time for Americans of goodwill to ask the Cuban "regime" what can we do to support you to make the lives of your people better?
It is not too late for Biden and the Democrats to break from the policies that have brought so much chaos and suffering to the world.
Cuba is a good place to start.
William O'Donnell, Sandringham.
Keeping track
I agree with your correspondent Ian Dally (NZ Herald, July 14). It is very disappointing to see only on average 32 passengers per trip on the $80 million Te Huia train between Hamilton and Papakura.
However, there is a solution. We need to contract the services of AT here in the Auckland Supercity.
These guys are incredible. They could build a bike lane the length of State Highway One, cone off the motorway with thousands and thousands of orange cones. This would cause traffic gridlock never before seen on such a scale.
At this point, the humble motorist will see Te Huia flying past at great speed. They will have no other option but to abandon their nasty petrol-powered vehicles and get the train.
Problem solved, the train will be overflowing.
Douglas Anderson, Glendowie.
Satisfied customer
I've been a NZ Herald reader for almost 60 years and I'm not very digital-savvy.
I would appreciate it if you would pass on my praise and gratitude to your team in the digital phone service.
Yesterday I sought assistance with regard to obtaining your "Premium" subscription. Over the course of the day, I spoke to two women and one man (sorry I don't recall their names). They each gave me their patient, undivided attention - making me feel like a very special person.
They were anxious to assist me in any way they could to the extent that the lady I spoke to first in the morning, phoned me back later in the day to see if my problem had been resolved -not like the majority of telephone receptionists. A very big thank you to your team.
Ronald W. Jones, Remuera.
Short & sweet
On debate
National must be desperate to be attempting to limit Government policies to those it campaigned on. It is unrealistic that circumstances change so a minor problem left unsolved may well become a major one by the next election. Jeanette Grant, Mt Eden.
On race
Thomas Coughlan reports (NZ Herald, July 14), "National faces allegations that it is pivoting rightwards on issues of race." In what direction would he suggest Labour is heading with its ethno-democracy model? June Kearney, West Harbour.
On tests
Who cares whether it takes two hours to check everyone off a flight to ensure they have the form to keep New Zealand safe. Those without it should have to go to MIQ at their own expense. Annette Turner, Warkworth.
On hate
The proposed hate speech law will simply be an erosion and suppression of free speech. Alan Crofskey, Pāpāmoa.
On opening
I believe that many of us are not yet ready to take Michael Barnett's "informed leap", not even with working alongside the best health and technology practices that he proposes. Diana Walford, Greenlane.
On exemption
Throughout the Covid-19 lockdowns and various restrictions, Josh Storer has been part of our team of five million. That his family can now come to New Zealand to be with him is wonderful. Lorraine Kidd, Warkworth.
The premium debate
Mortgage rates
I remember when I first got on to the property ladder in the early 90s. Bank mortgage interest rates were above 20 per cent. There is a whole generation of homeowners with mortgages that have never experienced rates above 6 per cent. Now we will see who has over-committed, unfortunately. William B
It feels a little like the petrol companies, slow to come down but very fast to increase. The Reserve Bank hasn't moved yet, so I'm not sure on a one-year mortgage how the increase can be justified. Christine A
US inflation is over 5 per cent. Expect NZ's to be a similar figure with more to come over the next quarter. For imported goods, ocean freight costs are five times what they were pre-Covid; China prices are rising; minimum wage increases; ballooning government spending; and a lack of cheap labour. The market doesn't have any options other than to increase prices. What a great time to spend a billion on building a cycle bridge. Kelsey S
An increase in interest rates is a good thing. It signals that the world economy is now recovering from the Covid-induced recession. Current interest rates are below the rate of inflation so borrowers are being heavily subsidised by lenders. The US Federal Reserve and the NZ Reserve Bank will soon be increasing interest rates and house price rises will begin to ease. Anybody borrowing at floating rates today needs to check they will be able to pay the mortgage when interest rates return to a more normal 5-6 per cent when inflation is over 2 per cent. Go fixed or look forward to much higher mortgage interest rates a couple of years from now. Megan C
First home buyers are competing not only with investors but with the Government, which is buying the houses for social housing. Bob T
This move has been telegraphed through all media outlets for at least the last six months.
The wise ones would have taken notice and moved to a longer-term fixed rate. Kevin C
Anyone thinking these ultra-low rates (anything under 3 or 4 per cent is ultra-low) will last for years to come is in for a surprise. However, there will need to be a dramatic increase before folk with money leave it in a bank to get a reasonable return, which in turn keeps things like property values high. Jack H
Was it Warren Buffett who said you see who is wearing clothes when the tide goes out? John K
Swimming naked, actually. Kenneth S
