A selection of letters and texts to the editor. Have your say by clicking the link at the bottom of this page. Please also see letters rules at the bottom of this page.
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I would like to congratulate the Rotorua District Council for trying to improve traffic flow around Rotorua.
Firstly the new Fairy Springs Rd. We heard constant whingeing from motorists who lived north of the city about the lights holding people up and slowing traffic flow, when the truth was it was only holding them up. Now we are hearing the same argument about traffic islands in Fenton St. Boy are they needed. I have never struck drivers anywhere else in New Zealand who are as arrogant as those in Rotorua.
If you wish to do a right turn in Rotorua, be it from a side street or out of a business, be prepared to wait a very long time. People will just not slow to leave a gap for you. In fact, if there is a gap they will speed up to fill it.
Try turning out of Gull Te Ngae or Gull Lake Rd (left or right). The local bus company and truckies are the only ones who will flash their lights to allow you in.
A traffic island at Malfroy Rd and Ti St will be a godsend. Try turning right from Fenton St into Ti St from 4pm onwards. Any gaps are filled by supermarket traffic.
So council, congratulations. A few more islands and/or lights around Rotorua please ... then teach drivers how to use them properly and traffic will flow beautifully.
KEWENE ARANA
Kawaha Point
The Mana Party and its Marxist agenda has made a timely entry into the political scene and will no doubt unite the rights of the poor and the workers against the tyranny of corporate greed and capitalism.
This is an ideal platform on which to pursue tino rangatiratanga. All indications are it should win the Tai Tokerau seat and represent the Northern Confederation in Parliament regardless of when an election is held.
On the other hand, it's highly unlikely it will win any other seats at a general election, a matter of little importance when it comes to holding the balance of power.
MIKE RIKA
Rotorua
My husband and I came to New Zealand for our honeymoon last week and arrived in Rotorua planning a week of tourist fun.
We arrived late and had only been there for three hours when, after retiring to bed, my husband woke needing to use the bathroom. We were staying in a two-storey resort on the second floor.
There were no night lights and he took a wrong turn and fell down the stairs.
He had landed on the non-carpeted floor at the entrance to our accommodation and had (although I didn't know it at the time), broken his pelvic bone in three places.
The reason for this letter is to say that New Zealand is a caring, wonderfully friendly, loving country. Everyone has gone beyond measure to help us.
We are both retired seniors and have travelled a lot and this is the first place I've seen so much love given to outsiders. My husband is in hospital and I'm staying at a nice little cottage at the hospital. We go home May 12 to our small town of 480 people in Idaho City, USA. Some day we are coming back, but no more two-storey resorts!
We both want to thank everyone - the hospital staff and all of New Zealand for your kindness to us.
WEEYAA and DANNY GURWELL
United States
I read Grant Kilby's column with interest .
Grant's right on the ball. There has been huge investment from all facets of the tourism sector in Rotorua in the last 10 years. All major tourist attractions alone have undergone or are planning major upgrades.
Our tourism operators are not only some of the very best in New Zealand (we know that from our many national tourism awards), but in some cases world class industry trend-setters. Why are we all so lucky living in Rotorua? Let's think for just a moment. We live in the birthplace of tourism in New Zealand. We are the Maori culture capital of New Zealand. We live in stunning beauty surrounded by lakes, streams, native and exotic forests, volcanoes etc. For locals there are a wealth of free things to do and experience. That's just the tip of the iceberg.
For those who knock tourism and think that it does absolutely nothing for them, fine. Move elsewhere.
How are we going to collectively benefit from the huge investment that we have all made in Rotorua? Simple. We just need to keep on telling everyone how good it is.
Take a look, Rotorua isn't in the 60s anymore, this is an exciting place and times have never been so exciting.
(Abridged)
ALEX LEINHARDT
Waiotapu
It was with dismay that I noticed the grass reserve adjacent to the Hemo Rd/Old Taupo Rd intersection had overnight May 7/8 been churned up by an idiotic driver.
This area, in sight of the board acclaiming our city having won many Most Beautiful City awards, is also next to the tourist information display. Not a good look as one enters our city.
Was your neighbour busy washing his wheels, bodywork etc on Sunday? If so dob him/her in. There are far too many burn-out black markings appearing around town, possibly [the work of] the same crowd.
As for raising the driving age - maybe an IQ test would be better. Give the sensible 15-year-olds a licence and take licences off the idiots (of all ages) who do damage like this.
B HAMILTON
Rotorua
Texts to the editor
- John key refurbishes his hm at taxpayrs xpense while nzers cant afford their mtg paymnts and r losing their hms instead. We r gna hav a depression in ths country soon, not just a recession.
- Congrats to hosp porters u have to be the best dressed i have seen
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