Letters: Wealth and the ‘hard work’ myth; Donald Trump puts allies on notice

"House prices, the source of most New Zealanders' wealth, depend on immigration, which depends on government policy." Photo / Warren Buckland

Letters to the Editor

Wealth and the ‘hard work’ myth

When, as economist Robert MacCulloch explains (February 3), government decisions lead to a 50% increase in top New Zealand stocks, making investors a lot richer, it’s hard to attribute that increased wealth to individual “hard work”.

When government decisions make landlords richer with the stroke of a legislative pen, it’s hard to attribute growth in those individuals’ bank accounts to their own acumen or creative talent.

When a truly hardworking grocery shop owner has to close up by law while the big supermarket around the corner prospers, where does individual responsibility come in?

To a very large extent, wealth in New Zealand comes from government decisions, not because some people work harder or are smarter. House prices, the source of most New Zealanders’ wealth, depend on immigration, which depends on government policy.

This coalition keeps on about people “keeping more of their own money”.

It’s very hard to isolate what component of the wealth of a shareholder in a corporation that benefited from taxpayer handouts is truly “their” money, when in fact it’s taxpayer money arbitrarily transferred to their own personal account as a result of government decisions.

Susan Grimsdell, Auckland Central.

Trump tactics

It’s looking like the United States can do us harm.

President Donald Trump, with his autocratic political power, is able to bully and override his democratically elected colleagues and threaten formerly friendly global allies. He asserts his own version of truth using social media that has increasing freedom of expression – in itself a danger to society.

By working in close association with a very few, very wealthy entrepreneurs – a mutual love affair? – he has put his country in the firm grip of the multibillionaire class and their appetites.

Throw in punishing trade tariffs and a repudiation of the climate crisis, and the world is facing possibly insurmountable challenges. Will New Zealand cope with this by cosying up to Trump?

Barbara Darragh, Auckland Central.

Lost in translation

Audrey Young hit the nail on the head. In her column about the Treaty of Waitangi (February 1), she writes: “But the chiefs signed the Māori version. They did not know what the English version said, and Hobson, who also signed the Māori version, did not know what the Māori version said.”

Surely the time is long overdue for both sides of what has become a bitter racial divide to sit down until they can agree on what the Treaty says for all New Zealanders.

The alternative is another century or more of disruptive, contentious bickering, not to mention the huge financial burden imposed on our fragile economy.

Ian Young, Pāpāmoa Beach.

Stadium lessons

My question to Auckland city councillors is have any lessons been learnt from the stadium debate from when it first started 20 years ago?

Auckland’s population is approaching two million – it needs a purpose-built rectangular stadium and a dedicated cricket ground! The majority of events at the stadium are likely to be from rectangular sport, followed by concerts, which will play a pivotal role as they bring in the most revenue.

Cricket is likely to make up the smallest number of events at the stadium and overall is likely to be the least attended. If concerts are the main focus, maybe money is better spent on a concert-specific arena.

Te Tōangaroa is more than a stadium, it is a proposed mixed-use precinct. It’s within walking distance of bars, restaurants, accommodation and transportation. It has more potential than Eden Park to unlock economic growth, investment and jobs for the city. This is something the Government wants in New Zealand. Why they seemingly don’t back this project is beyond me.

Tristan Cullen, Wānaka.

Talent drain

Paul Lewis’ column (February 2) accurately describes the limited depth of new All Blacks first five-eighths options with the loss of potential players offshore, ageing players and the Robertson/Mo’unga public bungle. Ruben Love could have been in the conversation as well if he was not injured.

Ireland’s Six Nations win over England at the weekend, starring three former New Zealand players, Jamison Gibson-Park (man of the match), Bundee Aki and James Lowe, shows just how much of a loss our local resources can be to New Zealand’s game.

It seems like time to revert to specialist first fives (instead of everyone being versatile) and time to give the best young talent a go for the All Blacks. “France B” would be a good start.

Gary Carter, Gulf Harbour.

Animal abuse

I can never read a full story about animal abuse as it is too painful to imagine what the poor, defenceless creatures go through, but hearing about that guy coaxing and capturing a swan at Western Springs park (February 2) and then seeing a picture of it shoved in a bag was enough.

What is wrong with bystanders these days, for goodness’ sake? They should have jumped on this instantly to free the animal.

I hope this man gets caught and the full book is thrown at him.

Glenn Forsyth, Taupō.