While my mother was well cared for on the long journey to Johannesburg, she endured it with pain and a terrible headache. I attempted to complain to Auckland Airport and also emailed Qantas. Qantas emailed saying they would take up to 15 days to get back to us.
No one has taken responsibility for the accident and she hasn't received any follow-up.
Tim Bubb, Howick.
Recognising Australia
I attended an Anzac Day service in Matamata where the anthems of both countries were sung, the Australian anthem first. Maybe your correspondent Nancy Bates of Queensland should come home and see for herself how we celebrate Anzac Day.
And maybe she should be more concerned about how hard working, clean living Kiwis are treated by Australia, even the Australian born children of Kiwi parents are treated like second class citizens. Australians in New Zealand are treated the same as Kiwis.
Julie Pearce, Matamata.
Migration break-down
We should congratulate the 41,576 citizens from the UK, Germany Australia, South Africa and the USA who settled seamlessly into our society last year without attracting any vitriol from politicians and others, while at the same time hang our heads in shame and embarrassment at the racial bias towards Asian arrivals so obviously exposed by your article yesterday.
Michael Dawson, Milford.
Dead ducks
Recently I have been aware of a group of volunteers rescuing birds from drowning deaths due to botulism at Western Springs lake in Auckland. I cannot believe this is still going on. Forty years ago as a 17-year-old I rescued birds suffering the same plight at Western Springs lake.
Feeding bread to the birds is a major contributor to the problem and signs put up by Auckland Council asking people not to feed bread are weak and ineffective. People ignore them or do not see them.
Unequivocal signage is required all around the lake forbidding the feeding of bread, accompanied by graphic images that show bread-feeders the misery they are causing. Many are not aware of the link between bread-feeding and bird drowning due to botulism.
The water at the lake is filthy and stagnant in places. Many other lakes are also in the same position. The volunteer group that tend these animals are exhausted trying to save the birds and dealing with the body count every year.
Lynn Charlton, Western Springs.
Believing science
Jarrod Gilbert states that the consequences of ignorance regarding vaccinations will impact in frightful ways. How would he describe the health crisis this country is already facing? Childhood asthma, allergies, food intolerance and autism at epidemic levels and this is only the start of a frighteningly long list.
Apart from stumbling around in wild guess territory, precisely what is science doing to alleviate this nightmare situation which is getting worse? How ironic if it was discovered we were vaccinating ourselves to death.
Neil D. McCabe, Wellington.
Healthy consequences
Your correspondent Graham Johnson doesn't like scientists. In support of his stance he poses a question, obviously intended to be rhetorical. "There is now more cancer than ever. Could science be part or the main cause of this?"
The answer is yes, because science has found cures or preventative solutions to so many diseases that more people are surviving to die of the most intractable diseases, of which cancer is one. By way of example, Mr Johnson may have noticed that not many people die of smallpox these days. Such examples abound.
Peter Newfield, Takapuna.
Ferry terminal trolleys
There is an appalling lack of baggage trolleys at the Auckland ferry terminal. Auckland Transport is the most useless administrator of a transport terminal I have ever seen in 38 years of travelling. There are only two "trolley stations" at the ferry terminal and I have found a trolley on only three occasions.
People are often leaving boxes and packages unattended, this is a theft risk and a security risk. I have noticed the excellent staff on the wharf being abused because their superiors have failed in their duty. I would love to know the name of my employee who has so miserably failed in his (no doubt) work.
Kevin Hester, Rakino.
Display petrol prices
AA policy is that fuel companies should post the price of all fuels on road sign displays. None of the North Shore petrol stations displays 95/98 prices, with Challenge Milford recently rescinding their long standing practice of doing so. I asked them why, and their reply was nobody else does.
With 20 per cent of vehicles using 95/98 fuel, this is not good enough. Not only is this poor customer services but does it also camouflage fuel price gouging practices?
Alec Waugh, Takapuna.
Words or action
I refer to the article about North Korea and its evil intent and how the US expects, "the rest of the world would assist in getting rid of oppressive regimes". Where was the US in World War II when Japan was invading Southeast Asia and Hitler was terrorising the rest of Europe? It wasn't until Pearl Harbour was bombed that the US got into action and mainly for revenge against Japan. North Korea will not come to anything, just like Lon Nol and Pol Pot, Marcos and every dictator in Southeast Asia.
Margaret Scott, Pakuranga.
Voting value
While I enjoyed Rachel Stewart's slick and contemporary turn of phrase, I disagree with both her conclusions. People don't vote just because they're brought up to do so, and to say that voting is pointless is untrue and defeatist.
Look at how hard votes were fought for in the recent election of Donald Trump. This doesn't make me a naive idealist either, as any citizen living under an oppressive regime would concur.
Ellie Carruthers, Eden Terrace.
Immigration's mercy
I am appalled that the serial sex offender Sultan Ali Abdul Ali Akhari is allowed to stay in New Zealand considering Judge Kevin Glubb says the risk of Akhari's reoffending is high and he shows no remorse. It also appears that Akhari is making no effort to rehabilitate himself.
The Immigration team are not doing their job of protecting citizens from this criminal and because they are not doing their job should be dismissed. The Australians would not put up with this and nor should we.
Arthur Moore, Pakuranga.
Scant coverage
The Weekend Herald front page said over 25,000 athletes are competing in the World Masters Games. Apart from a few seconds on TV there is no coverage. There are some famous athletes of a bygone era who are competing it would be great to see them in their event. I have spoken to various people who would have loved to sit down at the weekend and watch some of the sports. Shame on all TV channels for not doing better.
Wendy Galloway, Omokoroa.
London marathon
Sunday was London Marathon day.
Mary Keitany ran to a new Women's Marathon world record, while an absorbing duel played out between favourite Kenenisa Bekele and Daniel Wanjiru, the eventual surprise winner.
On Sunday, Monday and Tuesday I searched the Herald sports pages for coverage. Ten pages of rugby and league on Sunday. Monday and Tuesday were no better. Your sports coverage is parochial.
John Bradley, Kaitaia.
