Letters: Crusaders name change unnecessary

The Crusaders huddle prior to the round eight Super Rugby match between the Crusaders and Brumbies at Christchurch Stadium on Saturday. Photo / Getty Images

If the Canterbury Crusaders let the NZ PC brigade and an alleged killer dictate to them they are validating the alleged murderer's action and he will go down in history as the one who brought the mighty Canterbury rugby team to its knees.

Journalists who perpetuate this action with their approval, tacit or otherwise, are also letting the killer know he has won and his name will be recorded in infamy.

I find it unbelievable that NZ people and NZ Rugby can so readily fall into such guilt-ridden post-incident anguish. Maybe we should go through all the battles throughout history and reassign them names that do not reflect an historic event.

The definition of crusade is "vigorous campaign in favour of a cause". The team used to be just that - Crusaders themselves should remember their own image "Crusaders of the South".

It is time to back NZ and the Crusaders and not fall under the PC sword which becomes more powerful every time we yield to it.

RE Stephens
Pāpāmoa Beach

Street name debate

In your article (April 4) "Debate on street names called for" you can add to the list some street names referencing the Battle of Gate Pā, Puhirake Cres, Pyes Pa (The Lakes).

The Ngāi Te Rangi chief Rawiri Puhirake instigated the Tauranga battles by challenging the British to come and fight him. He even built a road so that Greer's soldiers would not be too tired when they got there.

On receiving no reply he moved his Pa closer on the lower Wairoa River. When the British still didn't take up the challenge he moved to Pukehinahina (Gate Pā) where he got his wish.

Puhirake and his men repulsed the first attack but knowing their position was so compromised they would not survive the attack which would come in the morning they evacuated the pa under the cover of darkness.

Puhirake died at the next battle at Te Ranga which was a major defeat for Māori. Puhirake was widely admired for bravery and is buried in the Mission Cemetery.

I wonder if Tommy Wilson and his followers want Puhirake Cres expunged or it only the street names of British soldiers?

Richard Prince
Welcome Bay

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