Remember these guys? The 3 Guys shopping centre in Glen Eden in the 1990s. Photo / Sav Schulman, File
The story by Kate McNamara (NZ Herald, April 29) on the Commerce Commission study into the grocery industry highlights that two major chains now have 75 per cent control.
It was not always that way.
From 1973 to approximately 1995, the 3 Guys Discount Supermarkets provided a
very real cheaper alternative. At its peak, it had some 25-30 markets spread throughout the NZ Herald circulation area. They carried a limited range at prices well below other markets.
They were eventually purchased from the owner in 1985 by Progressive Enterprises, operators of the then Foodtown. Both traded as separate, profitable businesses before they were amalgamated into the present Countdown chain.
A return to real competition can only be re-established by a true discounter selling a limited range of lines (1500 compared to 15000). The only possible chain would be ALDI (ex Germany) who have 600 discount supermarkets in Australia, with store sizes as low as 1500 square metres, to secure 10 per cent of the grocery market.
Currently, expanding westwards but, with favourable reports from the commission and encouragement from the Government, ALDI could perhaps be persuaded to look to NZ, to the ultimate benefit of all grocery shoppers.
Brian Stanton, Epsom.
The phone number for appointments to receive a vaccine seems hopeless. My wife and I called more than 20 times without success.
We drove to the single designated vaccination site, Northland Events Centre, arriving 14 minutes after the announced opening on Sunday, May 2.
Although there were few cars in the car park, a security guard was positioned to shoo us away, He advised that all appointments were booked out and that no walk-ins would be taken.
The need for preparation for rollout can't have arisen by surprise. This issue has dominated the news for over one year. How can our Government explain the lack of preparation?
Bill Thiele, Whāngārei.
I refer to the article by Michael Neilson (NZ Herald, April 30) "Pharmac and its wish list of $420,000,000" to immediately fund medicines. This means that, in its own and its various advisor groups assessments, this funding will make a significant difference to the health of New Zealanders.
It is interesting that Pharmac knows this but does not advocate for an increase in funding. Advisory committees such as PTAC and CATSOP know this but do not advocate for an increase in funding. The government has known this for many years but has done nothing to increase the funding.
Who then is the advocate for the patient in this system?
Judi Schon, Browns Bay.
Children with Spinal Muscular Atrophy are being denied access to a proven life-saving medication due to lack of funding.
The ICU at Starship Hospital has a dismal lack of sufficient beds, thus forcing the Starship Trust to fundraise to top up the shortfall from government.
All too frequently we hear of life-saving drugs or life-enhancing procedures being denied to our citizens due to funding constraints.
Why? There is a pool of money that could be far better spent making sure that all New Zealanders had access to the best that money could buy, thus saving many families from the struggle and heartbreak of watching a loved one have a less than optimal life.
I am talking about Lotto profits. Millions and millions of dollars are distributed each year to organisations of various kinds. I know many of them are worthy causes and do a great job in the community. I have been involved in some of them myself.
Surely lifesaving efforts could take priority over other community ventures.
Rosemary MacKenzie, Rotorua.
Thousands of New Zealanders do not want the responsibility or just cannot afford to own their own home, so desperately need a supply of permanent rental properties if we are ever to solve our housing issues. Thirty-five per cent of our population do not own their home.
Councils have a responsibility to zone land in suitable areas with services on which these properties can be built, as of right.
Back in the seventies, the government was building what was known as Star Flats as permanent rental accommodation in blocks of 12 units per building in all the main centres. These buildings have all been renovated and still provide excellent accommodation. Being a standard design, the construction cost was controlled and they took up less land than individual homes. They also provided one- and two-bed units to cater for those with these requirements.
The Super Fund, ACC and insurance companies should invest a percentage of their funds in such properties to ensure the provision of this essential housing and standard of living.
Buildings up of 50/100 units would make excellent long term investments.
James Lawry, Rotorua.
No politician is brave enough but the best thing they could do now to help the tourism and education industry is open a travel bubble with China. I am a Kiwi living in China. There is no Covid with some very small exceptions all of which are handled very quickly. At least 100 million Chinese have the financial capability to travel to New Zealand. The economy here is booming.
With no other borders fully open to China now, we could easily fill our hotels, schools and universities. They are not visiting friends and family as a large percentage of the Australians are. They will pay full price.
I am not sure the Chinese Government would be agreeable. Perhaps they prefer the border closed as they won't attract many tourists? And politics will probably get in the way.
I am not positive it could happen but it is a big prize if it occurs
Jim Burton, Beijing, China.
It would be self-defeating for Cricket Wellington, or other organisations who have benefited from Sir Ron Brierley's largesse, to return his donations (NZ Herald, May 3). It would benefit nobody but Sir Ron.
A more constructive use of the money would be to pass it on to charities set up to help victims of child sexual abuse and/or domestic violence. Sir Ron's money will then be used to help treat the damage caused by himself and people like him.
M Carpenter, Birkenhead.
A three- day mid-week visit to Gisborne turned into quite an eerie experience - mid-week to avoid any possible weekend booking rush. There were no mid-week events on in the city that I was aware of.
I did get a unit at the third motel I tried, but it seemed to be the last available, and I seemed to be getting it as a favour.
I threw back the bedclothes and there it was, the biggest beetle I'd ever clapped eyes on. I wrapped it up in toilet paper and put it in the bin outside.
There were children and playing in the driveway and carpark. All the other unit doors were usually open and I was aware of being under constant surveillance from people sitting just inside or from the windows. The penny dropped - I was probably the only genuine traveller there.
There are two sets of people not unduly worried about high house prices or the homeless crisis. Welcome to New Zealand's new elite, the millionaires in the making: estate agents and moteliers.
Uel Young, Mt Maunganui.
Some people are supporting the proposed health reforms as they say it will help reduce bureaucracy. This sounds like the makings of a "Tui" advert to me.
The usual consequence of amalgamations is more layers of administration, isn't it?
Here's my prediction: if I get to live another 20-30 years, I will hear people lauding the latest government moves to regionalise delivery of health care to bring it closer to the communities it serves - and to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy.
Mark Vincent, Paparoa.
Further to the article (NZ Herald, May 3) I witnessed the protection of trees in the state of Queensland years ago whilst visiting friends.
At Byron Bay, near Townsville, when strolling along the beachfront there was a huge metal hoarding covering the width of an owner's section. It was in retaliation after the owner deliberately cut down four large trees which grew at the end of the beach section and were protected by the authorities.
The love of native trees is a great asset to the state and anyone, regardless of their standing in society, who disregards the law on trees are punished in retaliation.
Keith May, Mellon's Bay.
On Brierley
Cricket Wellington may be upset about Sir Ron Brierley's convictions but the money is still the same, to refuse it would be silly and not help anyone but the egos of a few self-aware people. Neville Cameron, Coromandel.
On rugby
Only the Players Association appear to have the interests of the game and the country at heart. Julian Fitter, Maketū.
On vaccine
It seems as if we're poking the bear with our ultra-deliberate rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine. Robert Myers, Auckland Central.
On phones
I've just back from Australia, where text-driving barely exists. That's because text-drivers are heavily punished. J Hopkin, Kohimarama.
On housing
Extensive, single dwellings on quarter-acre urban sections has never been a viable planning strategy. It will take radical, innovative, socioeconomic non- partisan policies to produce the "silver bullet" the PM rightly says exists. Kenneth Lees, Whāngārei.
On maths
Every day, in Standard 4 at our village primary school in the UK, we began with a song: the words were based on the times tables. And yes, it was fun. Pamela Russell, Ōrākei.
On plates
If a number plate containing NGR is considered offensive, what about FFS? FFS.
Tim Rix-Trott, Raglan.
A senior doctor who had worked closely with the athletes warned they were 'at risk'.