Readers' letters: Poisoning kiwi

Kiwi can - and do - thrive without 1080.

Poisoning kiwi

It is ironic that the Department of Conservation takes kiwi eggs from the Ureweras — Okahu Valley to be precise — to repopulate areas they have poisoned with 1080. That should be telling them that what they are doing in other areas isn't working.

John Gibbs, at Pukaha, monitored kiwi numbers and they have declined from 120 to four despite a 1080 drop every year for the past three years, bait stations every 100 metres and traplines every 200 metres.

What is the result? Rabbit plagues on surrounding farmland that prompted farmers to sell. And the decline of kiwi despite constant additions of kiwi chicks. Pest control has not been of benefit to kiwi there.

Habitat restoration, targeted pest control that doesn't poison their food source, and reduced human interference is what benefits kiwi, and that is demonstrated where they thrive.

Go and listen to kiwi in the Okahu Valley, where Tuhoe have said no to 1080. Go to Stewart Island — approximately 17,000 kiwi. And yet our government is going to aerially poison them.

MERV SMITH
Bulls

Lives shattered

Re: Jay Kuten's article "Healing power of letting go" (Chronicle; December 27) in which he wrote about Keith Hindson's suffering as a result of oral surgeon Dr Peter Liston's professional misconduct.

I am sole carer and partner for 35 years to Mr Hindson.

As a physician, Mr Kuten, you should understand the dangers of opening wounds. I am appalled by your sanctimonious disregard for propriety.

You have no concept of the difficulties Mr Hindson endures on a daily basis and will continue to endure till the day he dies.

How would you feel if you could not take a trip, no more days away from home, no more holidays? Not even a meal out at a restaurant, no glass of wine nor a coffee in a cafe?
The situation for Keith continues to deteriorate, as does his ability to enjoy life. Our lives have been turned upside-down.

So, Mr Kuten, maybe you think all physicians should stick together regardless of what damage they have done to their patients? Is that why you tell us to "forgive and forget"? Frankly, no — never.

Mr Hindson suffered invasive tongue cancer as a result of two separate biopsy results being either misunderstood, misread or not read at all.

It should be noted that the Hippocratic oath (in whatever form it takes) is primarily to protect the patient.

On doctor's oaths and their shortcomings, Dr Howard Markel noted: "It serves as a powerful reminder that we are all a part of something infinitely larger, older, and more important than a particular specialty or institution. The need for physicians to make a formal warrant of diligent, moral, and ethical conduct in the service of their patients may be stronger than ever."

Mr Hindson has endured surgeries at Hutt Hospital and extensive radiotherapy (30 sessions) at Palmerston North Hospital. If there had been a prompt diagnosis this may not have been necessary. — Edited.

GLORIA RIGG
Whanganui

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