Remember folks, the Long-term Plan is just that - a plan. Plans can be altered or reviewed to suit, they are not set in concrete.
[Abridged]
Derek Packham
Lake Tarawera
Jackie Evans, I don't think you need to cry for Mike McVicker (September 22) you certainly don't have to cry for me.
Nobody is stopping anybody learning te reo, the problem is that some want to make it compulsory learning in schools.
What for? Surely it is better to write and speak English correctly before thinking about te reo? English is the financial and trade language of the world. Most world leaders address the United Nations in English. What good would it be if they spoke Māori?
At the recent basketball game against Lebanon played in Rotorua, only the Māori version of the national anthem was performed. You can keep it. Let's compose another one for other language speakers instead of the dirge we have.
Dr Brash was heavily criticised for complaining about the haka. The haka is not New Zealand, it is Māori. You might like to know that there were only three Māori in the last All Black starting line-up. Why perform the haka?
The late Sir Howard Morrison used his very amusing English version of the haka in his comedy act. Everybody laughed, nobody complained.
Sir Keith Holyoake at a Waitangi celebration in the 60s said: "We are all one people" Are we? Not the way it is going on.
Martin Gis
Rotorua
$27.4 million from the Provincial Growth Fund should not go into the Lakefront and Whakarewarewa Forest projects. Why not?
In our opinion, the Lakefront design is impractical. The current promenade, wharf and parking are functional, with maintenance. The proposed walkway will need to support the machinery needed to remove tonnes of weed deposited annually by northerlies. Those advantaged by improved sight lines should pay for moving the Scout Hall and the waka taua.
The $27.4 million is not "Government funding" but taxpayers' money. The "matching funds" are not "council funds" but ratepayers' money. Neither the Government nor the council offered public hearings before making decisions. The allocations lack legitimacy in our opinion, especially if more borrowing adds to the city's debt.
Neither project is a priority. Top priority should be given to reopening our museum to restart the cash flows. Any surpluses should be used to earthquake proof the SHMPAC - to get local groups operating, along with a professional manager to attract shows, to fund other improvements as they can be afforded.
The projects are not in the public interest in our view. The co-planners and beneficiaries are given as the "co-governance" partners of the council. In effect, the projects will transfer $54.7 million from taxpayers and ratepayers to iwi interests.
We urge the council to think again.
[Abridged]
Peter Bentley and Reynold Macpherson
Rotorua
