Inclusion please, not separation
Whereas I agree with much of what John Tamihere says in his column (NZ Herald, March 31), I am becoming more aware perhaps separatism is in the eye of the beholder. This is even more apparent having lived through the Covid-19 pandemic in Auckland, much in lockdown.
Our Maori and Pacific population were the most severely compromised, with a Government out of touch. Try being part of the population where age, disability, and genetic inheritance also play a large part on whether you have access to hospitalisation, lifesaving medication, or whether you live or die, regardless of your birthright and there is no community. As a seventh-generation New Zealander, I am proud of my heritage and ask no more than to live in a country where inclusion rather than separation is what we stand for.
Robin Harrison, Takapuna.
Media blackout for protest
The more I read of the new protest being "organised" in Wellington by the United movement, the more stupid these people appear. They seem to have no agenda, no real motive worthy of protest and no idea what they're doing. I suggest the best way to treat this new intrusion on the peace of Wellington's citizens is a complete media blackout. Perhaps if we ignore them they will get the hint and go back to wherever they came from.
Jeremy Coleman, Hillpark.
Freeze all Russian funds
Something positive the UN and Nato can do without causing more bloodshed as the Russian atrocities in Ukraine are surely deserving of more than sanctions and hand-wringing: All Russian funds — oligarchs' included — frozen by the international banking world should be confiscated and used to rebuild Ukraine and support Ukrainian refugees. Illegal? Irrelevant! What respect has Putin demonstrated for laws and humanity?
Ian Barron, Waimauku.
History lesson for Putin
Stuck in Ukraine, the Russian army is now using cruise missiles and bombs to destroy civilian infrastructure. Without putting infantry on the ground to take control, simply destroying buildings will not work. This was brutally shown in Russia in 1941-1945. The corrupt materialistic mindset falsely defines cities and countries by their buildings, not the unwavering spirit and determination of their people. In World War II, the Nazis used the V1 and V2, the first cruise missiles, and dropped 12,000 tonnes of bombs on London and 24,000 tonnes on Britain as a whole. Cities were badly damaged but inhabitants emerging, just "kept calm and carried on". The Nazis also shelled and bombed Russian cities. Stalingrad was reduced to rubble, but the invaders lost 850,000 men — killed, wounded or taken prisoner. Even formerly pro-Russian political parties are refusing to work with Russian troops in the few captured Ukrainian towns. Bedevilled by corruption, poor organisation and equipment, Russian troops have low morale — one army group reportedly even ran over their own commander. They are facing an enemy fiercely fighting to defend its own land. The failure of Vladimir Putin to learn from Russian history could be fatal.
Andrew Milroy, Trowbridge, UK.
Missed the boat ...
Paula Bennett (Herald on Sunday, April 3) chooses her words rather too diplomatically when she observes: "I would have liked to see more financial support. I would have respected Team NZ if they had said we will hold the Cup race here in 2024 and make the most of our home shore competitive advantage." Another blunt way of putting this, is that Auckland Council and the Government in their hamfisted dealings with Team New Zealand simply ... missed the boat.
Larry Mitchell, Rothesay Bay.
