Letters: China trip not ratepayer-funded

Mayor Steve Chadwick. PHOTO/FILE

Your story "Mayor's China travel plans approved" (Rotorua Daily Post, March 30) incorrectly asserts that travel costs for Mayor Steve Chadwick and cultural advisor Councillor Trevor Maxwell to travel to China before sponsored engagements in Korea will be funded by ratepayers.

As per a report which went to the full council for its consideration on 29 March, the cost of the China portion of the trip, which was approved by council, is about $5058 and will be paid out of income generated from council's regular hosting of overseas delegations.

Income generated to date this financial year is $22,100 and this is used to subsidise travel by elected officials and to host delegations.

Requests for travel relating to sister city relationships must be supported by a business case outlining the benefits of the travel against set criteria. Rotorua has sister city and other strategic relationships in China which were initiated by previous administrations to provide economic opportunities for Rotorua.

The mayor and Councillor Maxwell's visit to Korea, to attend the Boryeong Mud Festival and the International Federations of Events Association (IFEA) Symposium, where the mayor is keynote speaker, is sponsored.

All of the above information was in the report which went to the council for its consideration.

JEAN-PAUL GASTON
Manager, Strategy and Partnerships
Rotorua Lakes Council

I was surprised and disappointed to read in the Rotorua Daily Post (April 1) that the $10,000 granted to QE Hospital Community Trust is to be used to fund the planned celebratory ball. A ball? I would have thought there would have been many more suitable uses for this generous grant.

Maintenance of an elderly building, improved facilities for patients possibly, but not a social function.

A N CHRISTIE
Rotorua

In response to Mike Byrne's letter (March 30) regarding Easter trading, the response to consume in a neoliberal society is actually an illusion of choice; what is a real choice is to stand against the endless consumption that threatens the foundations of our society day in, day out.

Regarding benefits, clearly whatever economic gains that results cannot outweigh the loss of spirituality in our society.

Although not Christian myself, I support any action which helps some sense of spiritual connection remain in place. You don't need an analysis to tell you that our lives are becoming more and more spiritually void.

You can see it in the disconnection to nature, the turning away from poverty, the general all-round dissatisfaction and emptiness which in turn only drives people to consume more.

Do you really want to be a part of this cycle whereby your humanity is emptied into a sack of plastic?

To say no to Easter trading is more than simply a Christian move; it is a move to stand for what is truly of value in our lives.

KATIE-JAYNE BOARDMAN
Ngongotaha