There are many more speed restrictions and road bumps in Auckland. They are designed to make the roads safer.
So their only justification must be that the number of accidents, injuries and deaths is declining.
The council should issue those numbers, not only for Auckland as a whole but also for the particular roads that have had "traffic calming" measures introduced.
In that way, ratepayers, drivers, cyclists and pedestrians will know whether or not the nearly $100 million has been well spent.
Nick Hamilton, Remuera.
Report misconduct
Sexual misconduct at educational institutes [shows they] have failed to protect the vulnerabilities of those students.
Of significance is that it simply took too long, and prevarication took precedence over action. This outcome is alarming because those "who knew" and those "who dusted it under the carpet" must have been aware and were afraid for their positions. Their roles took precedence over the safety of their students.
Situations such as sexual misconduct, propositions that precede sexual innuendoes, and capturing vulnerable students in their "moments" of emotional oscillation are too often under-reported.
However, global information clearly outlines the permanent scars of sexual misconduct. We know these behaviours are not new and have historical permeations. But we also know that students deserve the utmost respect at any educational institute from early childhood to tertiary education. Too often, we hear of these events, even recently, and for both males and females.
It is time to legislate for educational employment situations not only to collect sexual misconduct events about their employees, but to ensure employees are required to report events they might see and students to be surveyed annually as to whether there are less than desirable events.
Dr Judy Selvaraj, Hobsonville Pt.
Hello neighbour
Loneliness (NZ Herald, April 19) these days is aggravated by the P-word - privacy.
In the "old days" new neighbours were greeted by the ubiquitous plate of scones or jar of homemade marmalade. Now such overtures seem to be regarded as an invasion of privacy.
The response to a friend's greeting over the garden fence to a new neighbour was, "what are you after?"
An acquaintance called at a new neighbour's house and said, "Hello, I'm Jennifer and I live next door". "I know," said the resident - and closed the door.
Anne Martin, Helensville.
Okay, Boomer
What a bad attack on us old folks, Boomers, abusing drugs (NZ Herald, April 19).
As an 81-year-old man, I am one of many Baby Boomers who have serious osteoarthritis with lots of pain for which there is no cure. Old age is the body wearing out and is normal.
There is no other treatment than drugs to block the pain and, without them, the pain would kill us.
Be kind to us and say it is okay to take any of the drugs available over the counter or prescribed by our doctor.
Gary Courtenay, Red Beach.
Meted out
I have solar panels and, like most solar owners, export excess electricity to the grid. For this I am paid $0.08/kWh. My electricity imports cost $0.27/kWh. I export around half of the electricity I produce so, to maximise my in-house use and minimise expensive imports I had a timer fitted to my hot water cylinder.
This limits the time my water heater is active to between midday and 4pm daily. This coincides roughly with maximum solar production and reduces my imports for water heating.
A month ago, the power authorities installed a new, "smart-meter". After a few days of monitoring it was clear something was wrong. On investigation I found the new setup diverted the electricity supply for water heating on to a separate channel in the new meter.
This prevents my solar energy from reaching the hot water system.
Now, when my hot water is heating, I must import all 3kW required (at $0.27/kWh) while simultaneously exporting up to 2.5kW of excess solar back to the grid (at $0.08/kWh).
I am trying to get someone from the power company to address this; so far only "automated replies".
Stewart Lind, Beachlands.
Marina exclusions
It is long overdue for the Minister of Conservation to urgently review the need and sustainability of existing and proposed marinas.
The tragedy is that these marinas occupy former public open space, being part of the Waitematā Harbour, able to be used by all Aucklanders. The reclamations adjoining the marinas were justified to be used exclusively for marine-related uses and boat storage - not commercial real estate to be used for exclusive, multimillion-dollar apartments which can be built anywhere.
Outstanding, visionary conservationists - such as the late Sir Dove-Myer Robinson, the late Darcy O'Brien, Commissioner of Crown Lands for the former Department of Lands and Survey and foundation chairperson of the Hauraki Gulf and Bay of Islands Maritime Park, and Sir Arnold Turner, who provided the inspiration for the Auckland Regional Park system - would view this direction with increasing alarm and as something that must be stopped now.
Bruce Tubb, Belmont.
Reunite families
Watching Kris Faafoi being interviewed about reuniting families split by the Covid lockdown reinforces my view that this Government says all the right things about being kind while doing the exact opposite in practice. A more inept follower of the party line is hard to imagine.
Show some common decency and get these families reunited instead of hiding behind endless excuses while doing nothing. If we can find space for the Wiggles, etc, there is room for these families.
James Archibald, Birkenhead.
Dream team
Some players in the Nats team are on manoeuvres. Like many side-line critics with rugby teams, I have a suggestion. Bring in a talented "outside" player who is vocal and has all of the answers to our problems.
Get this new player to join forces as a vice-captain and captain combo with Chris Bishop. Chris has continual media presence and also seems to have all the answers to our current problems. I am suggesting bringing in from "right-field" Mike Hosking to team up with Chris Bishop to run the Nats team. Mike would have to take a significant pay-cut, but hey, what a team.
Peter Jamieson, Titirangi.
Short & sweet
On Anzac Day
After no public services on Anzac Day last year we need to totally stand proud with love, and our heartfelt tributes to lay at cenotaphs and cemeteries this Sunday. God bless our war heroes. Wendy Joy Baker, Nightcaps.
On electricity
Interesting article from the power companies advising they may be short of power due to the low levels of water in the hydro lakes. What will this mean for the increasing numbers of EVs? Jock Mac Vicar, Hauraki.
On Hosking
Has Mike Hosking flown to Australia for his AstraZeneca vaccination yet? P. Barker, Whakatane.
On ports
The obvious solution is to privatise the Port of Auckland yet the Labour leaders of the Government, council and unions would never consider this. Seemingly they prefer the economic damage and fatal consequences of keeping the status quo. M Beck, Remuera.
On vaccinations
The slow vaccination roll-out needs a good shot in the arm. Neil Hatfull, Warkworth.
On partners
Dancing with the Dragon and flying with the Eagle has become a somewhat perilous "walk" for NZ. Any weakening of ties with our traditional allies is not in my view, in NZ's best interests. But then, no one has asked us, have they? June Kearney, West Harbour.
On Australia
So, the Australians want New Zealand workers. How about they welcome back the 501s they sent us? Cecil Croucher, Mt Eden.