Letters to the editor: Reactions to homeless housing plans disgusts

Kāinga Ora has purchased the Boulevard Motel on Fenton St. Photo / Andrew Warner

I was disgusted with the public reactions to the Hot Rock housing for elderly homeless project, and again to transitional housing at existing motels - both with services and security.

Why not deal with bad individual behaviour instead of excluding whole groups of people who 'might' make or attract trouble?

Instead, let us ask how we can work effectively to help people survive and improve their lives, and let these organisations get on with it.

Support the Ngongotaha Age Concern pensioner housing and the Malfroy Rd project as well.

I live in a very good neighbourhood of people who look after one another and I would welcome new neighbours in need of a hand up and respect.

Shari Cole
Lynmore

Jabs for homeless

Are homeless people in our city being vaccinated for Covid Delta?

There are so many of all ages wandering around our city and I think it a sensible idea.

I love our city and am proud that I have had both vaccinations done. Please, someone look into this and help keep us all safe.

Annie Wells
Rotorua

Two sides to rental issues

Regarding the letter about worthy and "hard-working" landlords, currently suffering under a new tax regime (Letters, October 7).

There are, however, always two sides to any issue.

An elderly pensioner, known to me, and suffering from a mild mental illness, asked me to write on his behalf.

Desperate for accommodation, he reluctantly agreed to rent a tiny two-bedroom flat for $580.00 per week, regardless of the fact that it had holes in the walls and needed urgent and extensive repairs.

One wonders how many other vulnerable tenants are living in unacceptable conditions? Is this the tip of the iceberg?
(Abridged)

Jackie Evans
Pukehangi

Sovereignty must be addressed

Our Human Rights Commission has recently reaffirmed that the Treaty of Waitangi provides for our indigenous people to have "absolute sovereignty".

This statement is not new but alerted me to real concern that our nation's future will forever be fraught with arguments on racial rights unless it is adequately attended to.

In my view, Māori people will continue to be dissatisfied if they don't achieve in their lifetime their version of absolute sovereignty.

Māori leaders regularly promote 'my people' and 'by Māori for Māori' seemingly with no consideration for other perspectives.

That is their right and we can be grateful for such honesty and focus. But are other non-Māori beliefs adequately defended?

I consider it overdue for our leadership to seriously ask whether or not absolute sovereignty or complete independence for one race is possible in our democratic country – and if so how it would operate and be funded.

If such matters are not dealt with, separatism will accelerate. Positive and progressive action is required to enable our nation to grow – not fester.

Ian Waugh
Rotorua

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