Otherwise, we could take a loan from China which as a friendly trading partner, would probably be willing to help us.
Glen Stanton, Mairangi Bay.
Diversity ‘downfall’
The Opinion piece by Mai Chen (Herald, January 1) demonstrates a vast, uncrossable breach in northern New Zealand society.
Chen looks at society as a lawyer and I look at it as a (long-time ex) mathematical modeller. Those sections of society are, mentally, about as diametrically opposite as it’s possible for humans to get.
One sees burgeoning “diversity” as “a key strength”: the other as the key to bedlam and downfall. In my opinion, New Zealand has already sunk too far to avoid reaching Third World status.
Really, in terms of destructive power, there wouldn’t be much difference between “more than 150 languages” and, say, more than 200 different. The destructive power lies in such things as the need for interpretation, especially in sectors such as health and policing; tiptoeing not to tread on some real or imaginary sensibilities; and conflicting priorities.
Auckland, as a productive centre, has already been destroyed and we will continue to be a drag on the rest of New Zealand. Long ago, I used to scoff at South Island denizens’ talk of the South (“Mainland”) seceding from the rest of New Zealand.
For somewhat different reasons, than those of the original proposers, that now seems like a sane idea. Basically, the North Island is ‘Diversity Land’ and the South Island is “Productivity Land”.
The continuing advice for New Zealand citizens with enough resources, relatively youthful, and with no desperate family ties here, is to emigrate – mainly to Australia.
Leave the deteriorating mess in New Zealand, that “we” older types have been complicit in creating.
Ken Lynch, Northcross.
Not Third World
The beginning of a new year is an appropriate time to look at one of the annoying features of comments to articles. I am not referring to people who write to the editor where debate is sensible and well thought out.
However, in the comments sections we see people regularly calling Aotearoa/New Zealand as a Third World country.
These knee-jerk responses are immature and have no basis in reality. I am not denying there are problems which successive governments have failed to provide solutions for.
A Third World country has many definitions but usually includes the following: poor water and sanitation; inadequate food supplies; poor healthcare; many diseases; low education rates; high unemployment; high crime rates; corrupt governments; and a need for aid from other countries.
In world terms, we have a high GDP per capita and are rated by the Human Development Index as very high. People should realise that while we have problems, they are nothing like those in a real Third World country.
Garry Bond, Hastings.
Pool vs bottles
The Karanga Plaza harbour pool price tag was $500,000, for a place that becomes unsafe for swimming and was a waste of money.
I have just come back from Melbourne, and they have a drink recycle scheme which pays 10c per bottle you deposit. Why didn’t our council invest the money to set one of these recycling units up?
I mean we would rather reduce litter and get a buck than a pool which the ducks wouldn’t swim in either.
Chris Mann, Mt Albert.
Bail facilities
It came as a shock to read (Herald, January 1) that I have been living just around the corner from the Pupuke Rd address of a “dedicated Auckland bail facility” where just last week, detectives raided and found methamphetamine, a pistol and an AK47 rifle.
A few months back, I was stuck in traffic at the roundabout of Pupuke and Killarney Rd while two men jumped from cars and started a brawl. I couldn’t believe that could happen in what appeared to be such a quiet neighbourhood.
Now I know why. Surely local residents should be kept updated with where these bail facilities are located, although I’m sure that the real estate people would rather not know – especially in the high-end North Shore market. Are there any dedicated bail facilities in Remuera?
Jim Heyder, Takapuna.
Papal action
Mike Ledingham, a faith-based abuse survivor and advocate rejects the King’s Service Medal, blasts the Government on the treatment of victims. (Herald, January 1).
Mike is absolutely right that governments have refused to take legal action against the Catholic Church for decades over horrific abuse against children by their priests, but the Church can easily act immediately too.
The only possible safe way forward for the safety of these millions of children worldwide is to allow all priests to marry, the same as in most other religions. It will protect children even more than the needed government action he asks for.
So, will the Pope please take this only possible corrective action right now instead of just asking for forgiveness every year before the Synod?
Murray Hunter, Titirangi.
