Policing welfare isn't the job
On the front page of your newspaper (NZ Herald, July 8) was the sad story of a homeless woman who died in her car.
Police were criticised for doing nothing, along with other organisations. Since when have the police become a welfare agency? Their core duty is
law enforcement as highlighted by your headlines above the article about the woman where they were dealing with "mayhem" across Auckland dealing with carjacking and armed offender incidents.
The police have far more important priorities than checking on people sleeping rough in their cars and mental health issues.
There are other agencies who are responsible for these type of situations but the police become the "ambulance at the bottom of the cliff" because there is a lack or reluctance of welfare agencies to respond and the overworked and stretched blue line become the next port of call.
Russell Browne, Clevedon.
Night shelter
The tragic death of a woman in her car on St Vincent Ave in Remuera highlights not only the need for more transitional housing, but the need for a night shelter for Auckland.
There are many occasions when people have urgent need of a safe place to stay the night, for a range of reasons.
All the other major cities in New Zealand have a night shelter, and Auckland had one until 2012.
Perhaps the refreshed Auckland Council in October will reconsider support for a night shelter.
Audrey van Ryn, secretary, Community Groups Feeding the Homeless.
Mourning Abe
It was with great sadness that I read about the death of the former Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, sadly killed, allegedly by a lone gunman. We all convey our sympathies to Shinzo's family.
Japan has the world's strictest laws relating to the use and ownership of firearms.
As I contemplate the circumstances of this tragic murder, and hearing that in the last year there has been only one killing by firearms in a country of 125 million, why is it that in a country of a mere 5 million people that we continue to hear of shootings in our communities?
Now there's a challenge to our lawmakers.
Steve Hoeft, Pt Chevalier.
Vision for NZ
What a great letter "Fast track to the Third World" from Johan Stabbert of Warkworth (NZ Herald, July 7). New Zealand Inc needs to take stock, the Government needs to tune in and listen to the mood and cries of desperation of the nation if we are not to continue to go down the "rabbit hole" of chaotic and illogical decision-making, disillusionment, and with it the wastage of millions and millions of dollars.
At the end of the day, it all comes down to "common sense" and good forward planning, not "pie in the sky" as seems the "will and want" of the current politicians in power.
New Zealand must focus and make better decisions on health (read nurses, doctors, hospitals), wellbeing (mental health and homeless people), education (particularly early education), policing, and the necessary and practical infrastructure to name just a few critical areas needing urgent attention.
Pay better wages to teachers, nurses, firefighters. Fully fund St John Ambulance and Westpac rescue helicopters, hire more police. Welfare recipients of working age should not receive funding unconditionally, there are plenty of jobs around, therefore welfare should not be given unqualified.
Immigration is also a key component — nurses must be fast-tracked and be eligible for immediate residence as are doctors.
Let's get this great country back on track, and I am sure the economy will get all the necessary stimulus needed to make New Zealand one of the most attractive and successful countries once again but it will take time and considerable effort make no mistake — let's get it sorted.
Randal Lockie, Rothesay Bay.
Lessons from Boris
Boris Johnson leaving the room was a forgone conclusion but he said something that resonated in his resignation speech — herd mentality.
It is true to say that a fair proportion of people make decisions on what other people think rather than making their own conclusions. They also feel it's better to go with the flow rather than against it.
There are good politicians and good Prime Ministers. Good politicians make decisions based on what will keep them popular versus the good Prime Minister who will make them on what they believe is good for the country. Unfortunately, good Prime Ministers can end up unpopular with their party and the public for obvious reasons.
Jim Bolger was a good Prime Minister making decisions like to raise the age for superannuation, MMP and Treaty reparation. For his efforts he got sacked.
John Key was a good politician, handed out tax cuts and generally did not rock the boat. We now have Jacinda Ardern and her Government who are making decisions that are all not that popular but most need to be made. Hence her popularity is slipping while Christopher Luxon promises tax cuts and repealing anything we don't like — so naturally he's the saviour.
Popularity on the international scene is a must-have so let's not cut off our noses to spite our faces.
Reg Dempster, Albany.
