Letters to editor: Let's have one rule for all Kiwis

One rule for all

Congratulations people for a clear result on Māori wards in the Western Bay of Plenty District Council. I am very pleased that so many of you and I share the same view.

We as Kiwis have moved on in the world of decision-making and do not want one person to be worth more than another when getting to, or while at the decision-making table.

There is a saying that two wrongs don't make a right and any reference to representation in "The Treaty" would now be wrong.

While I support Māori on many issues, including their land, I believe we all have the same rights when being elected to local and central government.

We are relatively free of discrimination in who can stand for these positions and who can vote other than Māori and Māori seats.

The European and Māori should compete for the same seats, as should any other Kiwi. If you are a Kiwi, then we all have the same privileges and responsibilities.

Those that choose to live here no matter what race or creed should all enjoy our "all are one" way of life.

Allan Sole.
Athenree
Underfunding
After any change of Government, there is always a universal cry of "we are underfunded".

The incoming Government has also joined in this chorus, and they would have us believe that just about everything from the past 10 years has been underfunded.

Let's not forget that the funds available to a government come mainly from the New Zealand taxpayer, and therefore Government expenditure becomes a challenging balance taking into account the needs of all New Zealanders and all sectors.

Give more to one sector, and there is less for another. The chorus of underfunding has not gone away following the latest Budget. This Budget has failed to satisfy those sectors who feel they are underfunded and doesn't seem to have done much to help the overall economy.

Perhaps the Government can learn a lesson from this, and at least withdraw from the chorus of 10 years of underfunding. Hopefully the next Budget, whether Labour or National, will once again be a more balanced one for all New Zealanders.

Vaughan Chetwynd
Tauranga

Where's the refund?

A good moral compass dictates that if you find money belonging to someone else, you give it back.

Last week Finance Minister Grant Robertson found some $700 million of extra taxpayers' money, but did he give it back? No, he and his mates are spending it on various pet projects it in the hope that we'll thank them and vote for them again next time.

To paraphrase Kerry Packer, they haven't exactly done such a fantastic job with the other $100 billion of our money, that we should want to give them more.

Stuart Pedersen
Mt Maunganui