Liquid assets and burdens
Kate MacNamara's article (NZ Herald, August 12) on Three Waters, focusing on control, almost completely misses the point.
Her article notes, in passing, that if Three Waters is implemented, regions that have already paid for adequate infrastructure will be forced to fund infrastructure in regions that have underinvested.
Where
is the debate about cross-subsidisation effects?
Another debate void is the environment and the effects of farming on water, and the threat Three Waters poses to New Zealand farming, particularly dairy. Farming organisations loathe Three Waters because it requires massive changes to farming practices to reduce water use and run-off.
Is it any surprise the most vociferous opposition comes from rural mayors whose districts profit from dairy farming? Is it surprising that those mayors talk about "control" and "ownership" of infrastructure - but with no acknowledgement of the real rural agenda; opposing any environmental water and pollution regulation?
I object to Auckland subsidising Northland's water infrastructure. I do not object to a clean and healthy environment.
Ralph Coulter, Grey Lynn.
Workable solutions
Christopher Luxon's initiative to get the young into employment is laudable. However, is his enthusiasm shared by other parties involved?
The Reserve Bank expresses concern that when unemployment dips below 4 per cent, we have exceeded "maximum sustainable employment". Employers have got used to importing immigrants rather than spending the money and time to train young Kiwis.
The reality on the ground may well be that the lack of enthusiasm for work is from the other parties than the young; the problem may well be with the older, not the young.
Kushlan Sugathapala, Epsom.
Excesssive profit
There has been quite an outcry recently regarding reports of New Zealand supermarkets making supposedly excess profits of one million dollars per day.
The NZ Herald reported last week that the Australian-owned ASB Bank had declared a June year-end net profit of $1.47 billion.
By my maths, that is just over four million dollars per day, four times more profit than supermarkets and I have yet to hear any hue and cry.
I imagine that when other banks operating in New Zealand announce their end of financial year results, the net profits will no doubt be similarly excessive.
Both supermarkets and banks are essential services, however New Zealanders deserve better.
Together with inflation and fuel prices, is it no wonder that the cost of living in New Zealand is out of control?
Randal Lockie, Rothesay Bay.
We have a staffing shortage in critical employment areas. Do we, as Kiwis, stay and help? Not likely.
It amazes me how Kiwi citizens have such short memories. During 2020/2021 there was a hell of a furore because New Zealanders were unable to get into New Zealand due to border closures, Covid and overcapacity in MIQ.
Now our borders are open, they want to abandon their native country and fly to work overseas where the monetary return is greater.
No consideration has been given by those exiting to the billions spent on MIQ facilities, wages for security personnel, transport costs, extra immigration staff funding, free vaccinations, free trade training, free tertiary fees, top-ups from government coffers for doctors, nurses, teachers, and wage subsidies to keep Kiwi families fed and businesses afloat, etc.
Greed and money rule. We bite the hand that feeds us and we have very very short memories when it comes to loyalty to our country. A sniff of, and the promise of, more dosh and our experiences of kindness and wellbeing from our leaders just fade away as far distant memories. Until the next major crisis when we all want to come running to safety.
Marie Kaire, Whangārei.
Unqualified failure
Again we are hearing about foreign doctors given entry but not being given a path to requalify and be of use to New Zealanders.
In the meantime, an unqualified doctor has got past the "gatekeepers" and has been practising in a hospital for months. The Government is talking about importing doctors from overseas to help with the shortage.
It sounds like the stupid muddle we had 25 years ago about overseas qualifications. I was giving English lessons to a Russian heart surgeon who had no pathway in NZ to requalify. His English was pretty good but he thought it might help to be better. Doctors were driving taxis because the Medical Council would not approve or help immigrant doctors.
When I went to China to teach English and business I rented my flat to a Romanian professor of engineering and his partner, a lecturer in maths. Both worked as carers in a Torbay rest home because there was little help in requalifying to New Zealand criteria, without doing lots more study again.
Twenty-five years is a long time for authorities to learn how to make the most of immigrant opportunities.
David Speary, Northcote.
