MAUREEN WAHANUI
Springvale
Mackay story needs to be recognised
Peter Edmonds (Letters, May 4) says he fell about laughing at the “peculiar” idea of Rainbow Heritage listing for the site of Mayor Mackay’s former offices. That’s sad.
The reality is Whanganui in 2023 is a growing, diverse and proud little city with the increasing confidence in itself needed to revisit and reclaim complicated but important history like that of Mackay. That this has led to national recognition of a Category 1 historic place and the premier new Heritage NZ Rainbow List entry is simply deserved recognition of Whanganui’s heritage/Mackay’s legacy. This is a real plus for Whanganui that further marks the city out to the nation as a proud “International City of Design”, art, innovation and industry — a place that has progressed and evolved from the provincial town that hid Mackay’s story for nearly 100 years.
One of Those, a play about Cresswell/Mackay, is on in Whanganui in a couple of weeks. I’d like to extend a free ticket to Peter (who incidentally I know, like and respect) to have a beer and see the show with me. From reviews, it’s a poignant, engaging play that deals lightly but well with this tragic but important Whanganui history. I believe there are even some laughs in places and he’d probably both enjoy and learn from it.
Booking arrangements for the play are being finalised and when available, a booking link will be on www.whanganui.link/oneofthose
JAMES BARRON
Castlecliff
Census forms an ordeal for some
Regarding unsubmitted Census forms, Act Party leader David Seymour has stated “Freeze their benefits until they submit their forms then we’ll get close to 100 per cent”.
How would he know who the non-submitters are? Why not add ”Fonterra to withhold payments to farmers, confiscate guns temporarily from licence holders, close businesses temporarily”? I’m not saying this but Seymour should be if he is fair to all.
I’d imagine those not submitting forms cut across a wide section of our population — many elderly who would find the whole exercise an ordeal, some farmers, some gun lobbyists, some business owners and some beneficiaries, amongst many others.
Many elderly and beneficiaries would not have computers and, even if they did, would still find filling out a form online in 10 minutes (as Seymour states) difficult.
I sincerely hope that Seymour one day, through injury or health issues, does not find himself as a beneficiary, facing the ridicule he now bestows on others.
KEN CARVELL
Whanganui