Hawke's Bay locals are being given priority to own a share of a 45 per cent stake in Napier Port, to be traded through the New Zealand Stock Exchange (NZX) next month. Photo / File
The sale of 45 per cent of the Port of Napier should be a wake-up call for councils. In Rotorua, our debt is not excessive, but I see little chance of it being reduced in my lifetime.
Time for some forward-thinking. The council does not need its own chambers orthe Howard Morrison Centre, or other buildings I could name in the city. The market is right: why not sell part or all of some of our assets?
The council would be much better-paying rent than interest and would give ratepayers a few years at least from rate increases.
I see the subject of the state of the CBD (News, July 25) is in the news again. As this is a local body election year, I suggest that candidates explain to ratepayers their position on whether or not money should be spent on supporting inner-city property owners, or the tourist industry.
Peter Dare Rotorua
World Cup whinge
The ruling on the Cricket World Cup controversy is nothing but another farce. Brits ruling on a British team on British turf. It's nothing but a biased load of codswallop.
It's meant to be a sporting event, not an ego-boosting exercise. Come on already. Put sporting spirit back into sport.