Mt Victoria access
It is the school holidays, Sunday was forecast to be a sunny day and our young diplegic lad in a wheelchair decided he would like to have a picnic with his mates atop Mt Victoria, Devonport.
We called Auckland Council in the morning for a mobility access code for
the barrier gates and after about five minutes of explaining our need for vehicular access, were finally given an access code.
Post lunch, we organised transport, rounded up his mates and turned up at the gate but the code wouldn't work. We called the council and were given a new set of codes that unfortunately didn't work either. We were then told that perhaps the systems were down or it might be a system upgrade.
We are extremely disappointed and would like to highlight this lack of disability access. An apology from Auckland Council would be in order.
Shobha & Janna Herle, Titirangi.
Codes available
Firstly, we are sorry to hear that this customer could not access the tihi/summit of Takarunga/Mt Victoria.
The Tūpuna Maunga Authority seeks to ensure that people with limited mobility have access to the maunga.
People who have limited mobility and are unable to walk to the tihi, and their drivers, can obtain an access code on the day of their visit to open the barrier arm at the summit road entrance. This is a system that usually works very well.
The authority also works closely with key providers including retirement villages to ensure that their clients can have regular access to the maunga.
Having checked the gate system, there was an error in the way that the information was input which meant the gate did not open.
We will work with our customer services team to ensure they are provided with appropriate training to prevent this issue from occurring again.
If the customer would like to request an annual gate code for regular access, they can email maungaaccess@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.
Tūpuna Maunga Authority:
Public mood
Damien Venuto (NZ Herald, January) writes Covid "lockdowns and restrictions" "have become unpalatable to most" and that cancellation of MIQ room releases "left a sour taste in the mouths of Kiwis who miss their mums, brothers, sisters, grandparents and friends".
Is this really what New Zealanders think, or has Venuto mis-read the public mood?
In my social circles and amongst my online friends, there is dismay and frustration at the relentless campaign to remove restrictions which could result in Omicron running rampant. A lot of people I know are voluntarily limiting unnecessary exposure to indoor events, dining in, and other risky practices. Out and about I see most people wearing masks even in places they do not need to.
It would be helpful for the Herald to poll the population to see what New Zealanders do think about restrictions that the public heath experts tell us are necessary.
Otherwise we are left with the loudest voices – often tself-centred and entitled or politically motivated - are unduly influencing our future and our national health.
Sandra Coney, Piha.
Plan delivered
John Schnachenberg (NZ Herald, January 24) writes that despite the PM claiming that she had a plan about Covid back in February 2020, it hasn't been effectively delivered.
This comment is shown to be completely untrue when New Zealand's Covid death rate per million of population which is just under 11 is compared with the US's 2638, UK's 2308, and Australia's 123.
New Zealand has had the most effective Covid plan delivery of all OECD countries.
David Mairs, Glendowie.
Just say Omicron
If the Leader of the Opposition is going to take the Government to task over their perceived, in his mind, lack of Covid planning, could he please at least learn how to pronounce the new variant's title?
Just as there is no "T" after the "X" in his surname, a mistake a number of people make, there is no "N" after the "M" in Omicron. It might help to give his arguments a little more credibility. Knowing what you're talking about is a big plus in these intances.
Jeremy Coleman, Hillpark.
