Letters: Vaping, Nats, Vaccine, Infrastructure, Climate and Debt

It is inconceivably unbelievable that any Government allowed vaping to become legal in NZ, says Marie Kaire. Photo / 123rf

Will we come to regret vaping?

It is inconceivably unbelievable that any Government allowed vaping to become legal in NZ. What were they thinking? They have spent years endeavouring to dissuade people to stop smoking, spending millions on advertising, posters, signage, etc and raising the price of tobacco products each year to help smokers cut down.
Then without any research or idea of the potential harm vaping may cause, the Government legalises vaping, essentially swapping one habitual dummy for another.
Does anyone know what chemicals these vaping products contain and the damage it does to ones lungs. Who is caring?
If the Government was smart it would take tobacco products out of the dairies, supermarkets and service stations and into specialist stores only.
The tobacco companies are laughing all the way to the bank!
Wait another 20-30 years and we will regret the present decisions on the sale of vaping gear.
Marie Kaire, Whangārei.

Disorganised Nats
Lots of people engage me in conversations moaning about the high-handed attitude of the Labour Government and it's absolute lack of delivery on any of its election promises.
The reality is would National be any better? They can't even organise their own party and behaviour.
As Matthew Hooton remarked in his column, NZ politics has never seen such an ineffective opposition and maybe the National party should completely disband and reform in a more cohesive form with completely new leadership.
National in its present form will never be able to convince New Zealanders to vote them into power and Jacinda and co can keep on doing whatever they want to with total disregard to the electorate.
Jock Mac Vicar, Hauraki.

Language deficiency
The report of the deliberations of Parliaments Education Select Committee (NZ Herald June 2) and the subsequent commentary from Audrey Young makes for disturbing reading.
The Bill before the committee would have provided the basis for primary and intermediate schools to teach a second language from a list of 10 to be gazetted by the minister. This would be in addition to the requirement to provide learning in te reo.
Labour members of the committee have killed the Bill, notwithstanding that when it was introduced by National's Nikki Kaye it had cross party support.
New Zealand is currently in negotiations with the European Union for a free trade agreement; our trade agreement with China is regularly updated and recent messages from the Government have encouraged major exporters not to place all their eggs in the China basket.
As well there is no doubt that the Southeast Asia market will continue to provide growing export opportunities of value.
Against this background one would have thought that as part of the plan (if there is one) would be the need to upskill our efforts in those languages that will be of use to the coming generation in dealing with a variety of trading partners.
The Royal Society has criticised our woeful lack of proficiency in languages.
What better place to start when minds are young and open to such an opportunity.
The Government's approach is short-sighted and runs counter to New Zealand's need to better compete on the world stage.
Bruce Manson, Ōrewa.

Vaccine riddle
It is incredible that so many border workers and their household contacts still haven't had their vaccine jab.
But more incredible are the never- ending reasons why this is the case. My favourite so far from Ashley Bloomfield is that we were only at "the end of the beginning."
Really? Will we ever get to the beginning of the end?
Lorraine Kidd, Warkworth.

Nauseating commentary
Much has been written and spoken about transtasman Super Rugby, the pluses and the minuses.
But surely the greatest minus is the Australian commentators? Lockdown last year provided us with a reprieve from them and I had forgotten how nauseating they were.
Phil Chitty, Albany.

Avoiding gridlock
In attempt to avoid gridlock HOV (high occupancy vehicle) lanes are being trialled in San Francisco where all vehicles having more than one passenger, including buses, have their own lane.
We have a snippet of that on the onramp at Mt Wellington which works well but needs to go all the way into the CBD and further afield. Worth a punt perhaps?
Gary Hollis, Mellons Bay.

Infrastructure folly
Infrastructure projects are not a sexy proposition to politicians who seem to assume they know what is best.
They are essential, however, to the voters who benefit from such things.
The politicians have forgotten quite quickly that there was money for all things Covid but now in 2021, we are faced with procrastination, and a need to remain fiscally responsible. I find that a very hard pill to swallow.
John Ford, Napier.

Climate battle
Last year greenhouse gas emissions dropped to levels not seen for 30 years. This happened because we cut back on burning fossil fuels for transport. We stayed home, we flew less.
This is proof that we can reduce the rate of global warming. We did it and apart from economic stress, we actually enjoyed ourselves last year.
The reduction happened because we had a decisive leader who gave clear instructions and, as in wartime, carried us all along with her. We wanted to do our bit.
We now are at war against the destruction of our climate, and again, we need a strong determined leader to show us the way.
Susan Grimsdell, Auckland Central.

Adrian Orr the Governor of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Sea of debt
The Reserve Bank Act 1989 legislation conceived to ensure the RBNZ focused only on price stability and to remain detached from political intervention.
All has changed, Government has coerced the bank to pursue a strategy of quantitative easing and to seek growth and job creation.
Sounds admirable, instead this "printed currency," channelled to the housing market has seen a major spike in prices and rent inflation, both now beyond the reach of Labour's support base, a contradiction to their philosophy.
So much for price stability and fiscal constraint while the country wallows in a sea of debt.
Current ideological policies will further ignite inflation, the nemesis of the disadvantaged as financial disciplines and economic reforms of the past are rejected.
P.J.Edmondson, Tauranga.

Protect the bridge
In all the talk about a walking/cycling bridge across the Waitematā Harbour there has been no talk of heritage or the impact of a new bridge on the existing iconic Auckland Harbour Bridge.
Recent mock-ups have shown it slam up against the existing bridge.
Since 1959 we have enjoyed the striking form and elegance of the Auckland Harbour Bridge. It is as much a part of the identity of Auckland as North Head or Rangitoto.
The bridge is not protected in the Auckland Unitary Plan as a historic heritage site but it should be.
Other cities such as Sydney have recognised the heritage of their harbour bridges.
The proposed bridge, unless it is located at another crossing point, has the potential to obscure and compromise the view of the harbour bridge seen from many angles. Whatever the resolution of the demand for walking/cycling across the harbour — and I have nothing against that — please protect Auckland's Harbour Bridge from an unsightly add-on or new construction that blights this iconic landmark, the most recognisable built structure of the city of Auckland.
Sandra Coney, Auckland.