Letters: Captain Cook did many great things for New Zealand

Captain James Cook did many great things for New Zealand, says a reader. Image / File

In a recent article about Captain Cook, Lizzie Marvelly (Opinion, May 18) referred to current discussion which suggested Cook's arrival in New Zealand in 1769 should not be celebrated because his influence was not good for resident Māori.

Cook was a navigator and arrived after observing the transit of Venus in Tahiti, which was the purpose of his voyage.

He ordered that his men were considerate to native people and treat them with respect.

Cook had to find a port to re-provision and take on water and he was not always well received.

It should be remembered that Māori were not a unified people, were hunter-gatherers and defended their hunting areas tenaciously.

Pā were normally located in good defensive positions and because there were no mammals in New Zealand, human captives were often eaten after conflict between tribes.

Cook introduced pigs and maize and gave them to Māori in Queen Charlotte Sound so that he could re-provision his ships there in the future.

He also charted the New Zealand coast and drew detailed and accurate maps and wrote about the Māori people. His contribution to New Zealand was significant.

David Sykes
Bethlehem

Recycling charges

Ann and Basil Graeme write (Letters, May 25) that everybody should pay for council recycling even if you don't need it or want it.

There are only two systems, user pays or somebody else pays.

What the Graemes are wanting, in my view, is for people to be subsidised by those who wish to make their own arrangements.

My main concern though is that the council is planning to charge around $275 per annum.

I pay for my recycling bin at $85.77 per annum. Is it that the council lacks negotiating skills or is it planning on using kerbside recycling as an opportunity to charge more than cost and so obtain a hidden revenue stream? (Abridged)

Richard Prince
Welcome Bay

The Bay of Plenty Times welcomes letters from readers. Please note the following:

• Letters should not exceed 200 words.

• They should be opinion based on facts or current events.

• If possible, please email.

• No noms-de-plume.

• Letters will be published with names and suburb/city.

• Please include full name, address and contact details for our records only.

• Local letter writers given preference.

• Rejected letters are not normally acknowledged.

• Letters may be edited, abridged, or rejected at the Editor's discretion.

• The Editor's decision on publication is final.

Email editor@bayofplentytimes.co.nz