Journlaist Nicky Hager, author of the book Dirty Politics. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Simon Wilson asks a question (Weekend Herald, March 6) we should all be asking the Government. Why has the unhealthy food lobby got such a stranglehold on our Parliament? Nicky Hager exposed the corruption and bribes of this lobby, now confirmed in the
court; it's time that the Government acted.
The cost of unhealthy drinks and fast food is costing the country millions. These international companies take the profits back to head office and we are left with the second most obese citizens in the world. They fill our hospitals and, unable to care for themselves, we pay. A stupid, unhealthy country.
What is stopping the Government from acting?
Accolades are in order all round for the Simon Wilson article (Weekend Herald, March 6); to Nicky Hager for the original investigation; to the three scientists for standing up to purveyors of untruths; and to the Weekend Herald for publishing the article, despite knowing that there may be repercussions.
As one who has striven for many years to point out to government that its sole duty is to work in the interests of the New Zealand public, I found the last three lines of the article the most significant: "...Their lobbying has prevailed. The government is still letting them win". That is, the government is ignoring its legal and fiduciary obligations to the New Zealand public leading to a loss of public trust.
Thank you for bringing this fact to the New Zealand public.
Frank Rowson, Matamata.
Understand that once upon a time, in a land far, far away, free dental treatment for children was once the norm. As a nation, we prided ourselves on knowing we were doing the right thing.
Then, over time, successive governments let the interests of big business take over, maximising profits from a quick fix of sugar, and we now have a national, horrendously expensive health crisis of childhood and adult tooth decay of unimaginable proportions (Weekend Herald, March 6) .
It's a question of priorities that can only be swept under the carpet for so long. Bring back free, school-based dental treatment as a priority for the nation's health, and stop making good, basic adequate dental treatment an option for the wealthy only. We can no longer keep our heads in the sand.
John Hansen, Murray's Bay.
Nothing indicates so graphically that we are not a team of 5 million than Audrey Young's and Simon Collins' features (Weekend Herald, March 6).
On the one hand, we have Papatoetoe High School head Vaughan Couillaut calling for more comprehensive translation of health messages.
On the other, Audrey Young from the Wellington beltway suggests, among other things, that the whip should be brought out again.
Glennys Adams, Oneroa.
Steven Joyce, (Weekend Herald, March 6) accurately assesses our Government's thin skin.
He said: "The Government looked grumpy and defensive for much of this week ... they seem to see the ideas of others as implied criticism and ... that changing their approach is a sign of weakness."
A more confident, competent and less self-obsessed administration would revel in a dialogue with "others" In an adult fashion, they would take account of all options for their decision-making.
It is well past the time that our Government... grew up.
Larry Mitchell, Rothesay Bay.
Your columnist Fran O'Sullivan needs to think about taking her own advice. She says (Weekend Herald, March 6), "It would be smart for the Prime Minister to occasionally admit she does not have all the answers". If you go back several months to read Fran O'Sullivan's columns you will find nine times out of 10 she is having a "pop" at the Prime Minister for something she perceives Ardern has not done or not done correctly.
It would be smart to occasionally admit that the Prime Minister doesn't do a bad job. It is time to stop giving us lectures about the Prime Minister's faults and her supposed failure to engage with those O'Sullivan perceives are New Zealand's top business leaders.
Jacinda Ardern is democratically elected to make decisions. Business leaders with vested interests are not.
Neil Anderson, Algies Bay.
Local boards were set up under the Super City arrangement to make sure local people were represented. It is disappointing the Waitematā Local Board will not listen to the local people of Parnell in regard to Dove Myer Robinson Park and the Erebus Memorial which the locals do not want.
It is also disappointing the local board voted along party lines to support what Central Government wants to do ahead of supporting the locals
It is a local park belonging to the people of Auckland and the locals should be listened to. It is not a central Government park for Wellington to control.
David Hay, Mt Roskill.
I am sure I will be seen as a killjoy but I have just been looking at an image of the Auckland Museum all done up in colours of the rainbow to celebrate Pride (Weekend Herald, March 6).
Whenever I see shafts of up-lighting on the museum I feel uneasy. Firstly, the building is a memorial to lost lives in WWI. Secondly, it was Nazi architect and arms minister, Albert Speer who invented "cathedral lighting": rows of search lights illuminating a Nazi stadium.
I think the museum looks like a tarted-up version of Speer's light show. It cheapens the building cast in a lolly-pop coating.
And finally, who is responsible for symbolic and celebratory light shows on the building and how far can a classical building be reinterpreted as special event contemporary wallpaper?
Virginia Stead, Mt Roskill.
One assumes the 550,000, quoted (Weekend Herald, March 6) who are wary of the Covid vaccine don't have family overseas they are desperate to see again. Janet Boyle, Orewa.
Given that 550,000 adults have said they won't get the Covid vaccine, should we start talking about the team of 4.5 million? Peter Brooks, Mairangi Bay.
It must be comforting to Kiwis to realise that gorillas are ahead of us when it comes to receiving Covid vaccines? Mike Baker, Tauranga.
Here's an idea for Andrew Coster and Jacinda Ardern – let's allow motorists to self-regulate their speed on our roads. I'm sure the vast majority of the team will behave responsibly. David Livingstone, Kerikeri.
Judith Collins' refusal to be interviewed regarding character-damaging hit jobs, speaks for itself. Nicky Hager's Dirty Politics allegations have been vindicated. Edith Cullen, Te Kauwhata.
I thought l was becoming overly cynical until reading Simon Wilson's magnificent article on junk food advocates in the Weekend Herald. John Norris, Whangamatā.
With his article "What lies beneath", Simon Wilson again demonstrates he is a national icon. It is now some seven years since the appearance of Nicky Hager's book Dirty Politics and still the smell continues. Dr W R H Ramsay, Kerikeri.
Re: our PM's "bugger it" reaction to the earthquake news. What a wonderfully calm and a restrained woman. I'm sure that would be the very least expressive, explosive or printable comment the rest of us would have made. Jeremy Coleman, Hillpark.
The Government used to get a meaningful 17.5 per cent share of my term deposit interest. Now they are getting 4/5ths of 5/8ths. Gary Andrews, Mt Maunganui.
I was shocked to read that more than 1700 3-to-6-year-olds in Auckland and Northland require teeth extraction. Perhaps the parents could exchange sugary drinks for water, and buy a toothbrush instead of sweets? Pauline Paget, Campbells Bay.
Show a little kindness and let the young Afghan interpreter who provided valuable help to our army come and live in New Zealand. H E H Perkins, Sunnyhills.
"Let's ensure lockdowns do not set kids back for life" a "screen is no substitute for a classroom" says Roughan (Weekend Herald, March 6). No mention of teachers' lives being important. Steve Russell, Hillcrest.
If you were one of the troops behind razor wire protecting Congress on Biden's inauguration day, you will receive, not one, but two medals. About 60,000 US troops fought at Guadalcanal with 15,000 killed or wounded. No one received a medal. Darryl Higgins, St Mary's Bay.
The flight was on its way to Auckland when it was forced to return to Christchurch.