A rescue helicopter lands on the Rakaia Bridge in Canterbury after a Labour Weekend crash. Photo / Teariki Takairangi
The only surprise about the weekend road carnage (NZ Herald, October 26) is it wasn't worse. I have driven in several countries where road density is much higher than ours and rate New Zealand drivers among the worst if not the worst in the world.
A culture of recklessness, speeding, impatience, and risk-taking prevails.
Better roads, more speed cameras, more policing, and so on, will do little to change the current culture of our drivers. New licences should not be issued until the applicant has passed the defensive driving test.
Similarly, those guilty of a driving offence should pass the test before their licence is restored. It requires a long-term approach, but until something like this is implemented, the carnage on our roads will continue unabated.
Vince Ashworth, Morrinsville.
Welfare priority
The likes of Quentin Miller (NZ Herald, October 25) and others before him bemoan the continued lockdown, and ask why the delay, and how the unjabbed increase the risk to him and the other 85 per cent odd who are vaccinated.
I'll tell you how and why: the Government rightly believes it doesn't have a mandate to crash the health system, which is what would happen if they open Auckland and the rest of the country up too soon.
A Government's first priority is the welfare of its people, and the hospitals and health system are chief components of that. Quentin probably wouldn't get too sick if he contracted Covid, but there are numerous other reasons for people to end up in hospital, and if they are overrun with the witless unvaccinated, no amount of Covid jabs will help other patients who are denied a bed.
After the best part of two years, another month or so seems a small price to pay for greater certainty that there will still be an ambulance at the top of the cliff.
Barrie Graham, Remuera.
Health advisory
The narrow focus of our Greek Chorus of public health commentators (NZ Herald, October 25) is well illustrated by their argument that the vaccination level of the Māori and Pacific populations should be the deciding limit in moving away from alert-level lockdowns. The Prime Minister has rightly realised that any such reason for delay would be detrimental to racial harmony.
Now that the cane has been taken out and flourished, the long-since converted members of the congregation would appreciate fewer sermons.
The best way forward is intensive efforts concentrated on tribal and marginal groups.
John Strevens, Remuera.
Open slather
I cannot understand Judith Collins' logic when she says we should remove all Covid lockdowns and open up by December 1. Of course, this is what everyone would like except for the health professionals.
Does she not spare a thought for the doctors and the nurses manning the hospitals while they are being overrun with Covid patients? They are already trying to manage in a health system that was run down by the last National government and, obviously, health is not high on the level of importance of the current National party either.
Does she also then even think of those people who have all done the right thing, been vaccinated and then have a medical event such as heart attack, cancer, stroke, etc, etc who need hospital care urgently but cannot have it because the hospitals are full of Covid patients?
It's high time these people thought of all those people who would be affected in trying to care for the Covid casualties who have not had the plain common sense to get vaccinated, and end up in hospital.
Wendy Hutchinson, Whangārei.
Doing the business
I was delighted to read (NZ Herald, October 25) of the mana motuhake (self-determination) shown by your small business couple pivoting from their previous businesses to a new one when Covid closed them down.
In the days before competent people ever dreamed of asking the government for handouts, I was trading in East Asia when the attack on the Ringgit meant my business went into decline. I only had about 20 staff at that time but, in order to pay them, I started another business in the New Zealand economy unaffected by Asia. When the Asian economy recovered, I sold the locally based business.
If you feel in control of your life there is always a way to take care of the responsibilities you take on.
Mark Nixon, Remuera.
Persona non grata
When they remove the barriers and let us travel again, are the people living in the South Island going to want tourists from Auckland who will bring Covid with them? We went to the Chatham Islands after the first lockdown and, when we walked into town, there were signs telling us we were not welcome.
Some MPs in opposition want to remove the barriers on December 1. Doesn't most of their support come from areas where there is presently no Covid? I wonder whether they have conferred with the farmers in Canterbury who voted for them.
Barry Birchall, Oratia.
Missing million
Given the centrality to government policy of vaccination rates, it may be pertinent to ask about the accuracy of the percentages we are following, with increasing concern, as the graphs start to level off.
Our neighbours have been living overseas for months. In spite of this, we are aware that the Ministry of Health is chasing them up to get their jabs.
Leaving aside the irony of them not being able to return, even if they wanted to, how many are in a like position?
With about a million Kiwis living overseas, even a small proportion appearing in the unvaccinated column, could keep the vaccinated numbers below 90 per cent and Auckland in lockdown.
M. A Pollock, Mt Eden.
Protection rights
Karen Lee (NZ Herald, October 25) reasons those who choose not to be Covid-vaccinated are exercising a democratic right. No argument there.
But she goes on to argue the Government is holding New Zealand to ransom by introducing passports for the right to travel, enjoy concerts, eat in restaurants. Surely, an event organiser, pub owner, restaurant proprietor is entitled to protect themselves, their staff, their customers and patrons by having a fully-vaccinated entry requirement.
That is their democratic right
Des Trigg, Rothesay Bay.
Murky waters
With respect to the Government's Three Waters proposal, we are told by Minister Nanaia Mahuta that "doing nothing is not an option".
The law for a regulator has been passed and there is recognition that some councils' water infrastructure needs improvement to be fit for purpose. However, the minister should have to disclose the options that were discarded.
The Government claims water charges will be reduced under Three Waters, despite experts advising analysis has been founded on unsound evidence and the Government's figures are not credible and should not be relied on.
Councils were given only two months to review and comment back to the Government. Under the Local Government Act, councils are required to consult ratepayers over major decisions regarding water. When and where is this discussion going to take place?
There are suggestions the Government may pass special legislation and simply pass the Three Waters plan into law without further discussion.
It is critical the Government be challenged on the proposal as it stands currently and that changes should only be made after councils and ratepayers have been properly consulted
and given the opportunity to challenge the assumptions; consider the options and the business case.
R. E. (Buster) Young, Remuera.
Two anthems
The All Blacks defeated the USA at football, but we came a miserable second in the national-anthem singing. Six60's Matiu Walters continued the tradition of shocking renditions of our anthem that has dogged the entire international season, by singing flat on almost every note. By contrast, the Washington Gay Men's Chorus nailed "The Star-Spangled Banner", though oddly, the host broadcaster gave us not so much as a single shot of a brilliant choir in action.
Peter Calder, Westmere.
Violent content
Why do we allow ourselves to be fed with such an abundance of violence in the name of entertainment?
Is the harsh reality together with real tears now flowing from Alec Baldwin going to initiate change?
Can we happily continue to rely on the unabated drivel dominating our screens? Sadly, it would seem the answer is "yes".
John Norris, Whangamatā.
Numeracy lessons
Perry Rush's article (NZ Herald, October 22) stated that the Numeracy Project led to negative consequences for many students. The fact is, the Numeracy Project was a response to address the entrenched, negative attitudes and outcomes for students by improving the professional capability of teachers. This core aim needs to be front of mind as the declining student data attests.
The continued pervasive lack of knowledge, understanding and effective delivery of mathematics, are the key reasons for the current situation. These need addressing through appropriate mechanisms.
Until there is an expectation that teachers have the requisite knowledge and skills to teach the subject, it is fanciful to expect students' data to trend upwards.
Annemarie Simpson, Pukekohe.
On climate
Sending James Shaw and co to an accord on climate change, without the presence of Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, and with NZ's appalling record on greenhouse emissions would be akin to sending a team of cat lovers to a convention on bird-watching. Gary Hollis, Mellons Bay
On housing
The Housing Supply Bill is a developer's dream come true. L H Cleverly, Mt Roskill.
On impatience
Readers have written how fed up and angry they are to be constrained at level three, despite their having been fully vaccinated. I would remind them that they're alive. Bill Mathews, St Mary's Bay.
I was double vaccinated as soon as possible. My patience and my track pants are wearing thin. Huw Dann, Mt Eden.
Quentin Miller's letter (NZ Herald, October 25) reminds me of an age-old prayer: "God bless me and my wife; My son John and his wife; Us four, and no more." Ruth Pidwell, Cambridge.
On freedom
Our fully-vaccinated friends attended a wedding in Exeter. Seven Covid-infected guests attended, the groom contracted Covid and was hospitalised for five days, and the groom's father died. This is life now in liberated England. Wendy Newton, Beach Haven.
On incentives
Paying people one way or another to get the vaccination against Covid-19 has set a precedent for many. We have problems getting vaccinations done now but wait and see what happens in the future. Mike Wells, Kawerau.
This Government has divided our country. Vaccinated against unvaccinated, Māori versus non-Māori, New Zealanders here versus New Zealanders abroad. All because of fear. Because of fear, it has also taken away freedom to choose. We should respect the choice of those that have decided not to be vaccinated for whatever reason, but leave the door open for them to join later on. To include them in society, a regime of regular testing to prove their negative status would mitigate the risk.Evan L.
If we were in this together, there would not be a hard border around Auckland. Anna K.
The people who wish to not get vaccinated have long ago made up their minds. The Government's saturated vaccine messages is like a new dog owner calling their dog, the more they call, the more it runs. Make a date and open up. Stop controlling our lives. Mark I.
Why are we not discussing the absurd cost of lockdowns (non-Covid deaths, missed education, and billions of dollars) versus the small number of deaths we are avoiding? It is nuts to lockdown a population of healthy people that have close to 90 per cent vaccination (one dose). All we hear is "protect the unvaccinated". What about the cost of a lockdown? It is such a one-sided equation when you honestly assess the true cost of lockdowns. Grant H.
As the Government seems to want to be world leaders in everything, perhaps they want to beat the record for the longest lockdown. I am also sick of being told it's up to Aucklanders to get other Aucklanders vaccinated. I'm also double-vaccinated and don't like being made to feel accountable for those who aren't. Lezah H.
Unless an update is given on some medical and traffic regulations rules soon, there is an increased risk of Aucklanders having their drivers' licences expire. The renewal extension expires on November 30. Aucklanders still can't get a medical certificate to renew licences at this level. Not to mention the processing backlog. The problematic rollout of the vaccine is putting the nation under pressure that is at breaking level, unintentionally or not, pitting people against each other; dividing families and destroying relationships. NZ is fast looking like a country being torn apart at its roots. Tony S.
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