Lost tourism
While Minister Stuart Nash's comments about the future of tourism in New Zealand may seem overly harsh, he is right in saying that tourism will not return to what it has been.
Visitors from Australia will probably be about the same level but the conditions that made possible large
numbers from further afield are unlikely to return.
Many of these were young adventurers who could afford the ever-cheaper fares that competing airlines provided and there was little concern that they could get jobs back home when their trip had ended.
Now with Covid, Brexit and all the economic upheaval around the world, there is not the same feeling of security. While the affluent will have the means to travel as they want, those who could, but are now conscious of the effect of flying on climate change, may be deterred.
Many businesses evolved to cater to the tastes of ever-growing numbers. Now those owners will have to consider carefully who their likely clientele will be.
Sadly there is little hope for some and propping them up will only delay the inevitable.
We can still have a great tourism business but much thought must be given about what we provide to a world very different from a pre-Covid one.
P. Belsham, Mt Albert.
Discipline and control
Good to see Simon Collins reporting (NZ Herald, February 15) on another good Otago trial involving the importance of developing self-control. This somewhat tied in nicely with points raised in Dr Dalziel's letter to the editor about youth of today not being tough enough, observed by us "OK Boomers".
The modern, increasingly consumer, secular-based society has witnessed a steady decline in such noble personal virtues. As the article says it is "the ability to manage your emotions, thoughts and behaviours".
It is among evidence that equips people to handle health, financial and social challenges of later life as well.
The previous Otago study also identified such virtues in success stories from early low socioeconomic disadvantages and below-average IQ. Responsible parents across the spectrum historically instilling such tried and true disciplines early in life - along with a well-developed conscience - good daily routines and reliability, are typically now missing due to so many modern liberal agendas.
The study will no doubt also confirm there are seldom excuses for not improving one's lot.
Simon Guinness, Greenlane.
Selfless sacrifice
Steve Braunias has long deserved a high honour for his writing. He is definitely one of the best observers of life, and articulates it so well.
He now deserves the highest of all honours for his humanitarian work, selflessly watching and describing The Bachelorette so the rest of us don't.
Such self-sacrifice must be rewarded.
Andy Freeman, Hamilton.
First priority
Regarding Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's refusal to listen to the majority call to close New Zealand borders - the 5 million at home to the 40,000 overseas – and claims she cannot stop New Zealanders coming home, what about the first responsibility to protect the 5 million from importing a dangerous virus?
Where is the law that allows our Prime Minister to put all of our 5 million people at risk of a serious virus infection? I bet there isn't one.
We all know the virus is coming in via the border and Ardern's first duty of care is, or should be, to the 5 million in New Zealand.
Gary Carter, Gulf Harbour.
Transition therapy
Recent news reports about conversion therapy (NZ Herald, February 15) say this is about sexual orientation or gender identity. These two have nothing to do with each other. Sexual orientation is a natural expression of a person's sexuality. "Gender identity" includes the concept of being in the "wrong body" and of "changing sex" to fit the body with the felt sense of gender.
Attempted sex transition fights the body's own natural forces. If you have a child of any age wanting to be the opposite sex, and if you knew that such a transition was going to require a lifetime of medication, with many negative side effects, would you not want counselling for that young person to explore what lies behind the wish? Research shows a high correlation between gender dysphoria and other mental health issues, and that most children with gender confusion grow out of it.
It is irresponsible to attempt through therapy to change natural sexual orientation. It is equally irresponsible not to seek, through counselling, the reasons a child wants to transition. When our lawmakers come to look at the legislation on banning conversion therapy, it is vitally important they understand the difference between the two.
Caroline Herschel, Wellington.