Finally, someone like Viv Beck is saying enough is enough (Weekend Herald, April 24). Were it not for the backing from the likes of the Krukzieners and Bob Jones' property owners, she would've had a hard nut to crack, with all these bureaucrats in Auckland Council as well as previously unsuccessful city planners just not fronting, nor budging or fast-tracking this utter mess.
As an "out-of-towner", visiting the wider Auckland region on a monthly basis for the last two decades, I have seen Auckland's CBD "evolve" from the typical new-age mish-mash of urban styling to the sheer mess it's been in for the last few years.
Luckily, I am not a cyclist, needing to navigate the individual, rectangular, parallel-running concrete blocks on one side, while on the other side the footpath has its own ledge at a different level again. Gosh, what an obstacle course.
I can see where Viv Beck is coming from.
René Blezer, Taupō.
Anzac connection
I found it interesting to read (Weekend Herald, April 24) the Anzac connection between NZ and Australia started in the South African War. I also remember as a young Dutch lad recently arrived in NZ attending an Anzac ceremony in Whakatane in the early 1950s being surprised to find veterans from the South African War in the parade.
The South African Boers (farmers) were fighting for their independence against British Imperial aggression.
Under the leadership of Lord Kitchener, British troops were ordered to destroy Boer farms. The elderly, the women and the children were forced into the world's first concentration camps where 26,000 died of disease and starvation. There were concentration camps for the black servants and workers on the farms.
This ghastly war of deliberate brutality is nothing to be proud of.
Rinny Westra, Birkenhead.
Forging ahead
It was refreshing to read Audrey Young's article (Weekend Herald, April 24) on New Zealand's right to forge its own foreign policy.
New Zealand has managed to retain a good relationship with China which is crucial for our trade and prosperity, rather than take sides in the ongoing geopolitical grandstanding exercised by other countries.
New Zealand has a flourishing trade with China as well as with the USA and Australia. Good government should try to maintain that position. I am pleased to see the country acting with such integrity. I say: well done to the current government and to Audrey Young for pointing out the obvious value of the current policy.
Frank Olsson, Freemans Bay.
Stultified diversity
Defending diversity in corporate board recruitment, Chris Bayes writes the corporation will benefit from "other world views and opinions" (Weekend Herald, April 24). If only this were true.
Unfortunately, the diversity movement brings with it one world view and one set of opinions. A "diverse" board will look like a mix of different types of people, but they will all think, speak and act in the same way.
If this somehow yields good results for the corporation, it will be in spite of the stultifying groupthink it is bogged down in.
Gavan O'Farrell, Lower Hutt.
Song sung blue
As a season ticket holder, I have been fortunate enough to be at FMG Stadium for the last three nail-biting home wins by the Chiefs. Great rugby played by a gritty team, a reinvigorated forward pack and an inspirational Damian McKenzie.
The only downside, the instant barrage of music every time there is even the slightest break in play, even while the clock keeps ticking. Surely Sweet Caroline, Slice of Heaven and other must-have anthems could be kept to times when the clock has stopped.
David Tennent, Wattle Downs.
A quick word
What do world leaders attending forums on climate change and King Canute have in common? Gary Hollis, Mellons Bay.
The Government announced that May was the time when those of us in our seventies could expect to be vaccinated against Covid-19. When will the Government let us in on the plan? Janet Boyle, Ōrewa.
One of the major problems with Auckland Council is the recent disbanding of the design team. I cannot think of any organisation that has control of billions of taxpayer money, that has no access to the "ideas people". Chris Blenkinsopp, Beach Haven.
If Auckland Council is going to install planter boxes all around the CBD, then someone should be scheduled to look after them. June Krebs, Sunnyhills.
Daahlings... do you not realise that Queen St kerbside parking is essential? Moneyed matriarchs must be delivered by Daimler to the doors of Dior. Michael Smythe, Northcote Pt.
Helen White ( Weekend Herald, April 24) suggests NZ is a huge success story in dealing with Covid. My reply is, yes, despite the Government's constant bungling. A J Petersen, Kawerau.
Your interview with iconic New Zealand comedian David McPhail (Weekend Herald, April 24) reminds one; the guy who got Robert Muldoon's voice down pat was actually Danny Faye. Stuart Prossor, Hillcrest.
Ruining a dog's life with meth is the same as robbing a human's life with the drug. That greyhound trainer needs to be jailed, not given a fine. Glenn Forsyth, Taupō.
Willie Jackson writes (Weekend Herald, April 24) "institutional racism, is not a term easily understood", then he proceeds to not explain what he is talking about. Rex Beer, Whangaparāoa.
On Anzac Day we commemorate those who put the well-being of the community ahead of their own. It would be nice if that attitude could be adopted by those who refuse to wear masks when appropriate or who do not plan to have the vaccine. Greg Cave, Sunnyvale.
One was once a happy chappie until teams called the Blues and Warriors made life unbearable. Reg Dempster, Albany.
Who runs NZ Rugby; the Board or the Players Association? The devil will be in the detail. Bruce Tubb, Belmont.
How ironic is it that the National Party Board is setting out to establish clear rules about leadership bids, and that bad behaviour be called out - with Judith Collins as leader? Edith Cullen, Te Kauwhata.
It is equality of opportunity for all citizens; not equality of outcomes. Ian George, Howick.
