Letters, January 29: Omanawa Falls, drug laws and Maori wards

Concerns have been raised about people making the perilous journey to visit Omanawa Falls. Photo/File

/File

Thrill seekers putting their lives at risk

The "thrill seekers" who seem dead set on visiting Omanawa Falls are mainly tourists and young people, I presume.

Perhaps one way of discouraging people from trying to get to these falls, at the bottom of a very dangerous slip-zone area and near vertical descents and antiquated ladders - just waiting for that one visitor to step on to the old step and perhaps fall to their death - is to make the parking area totally unusable and impossible on both sides of the road for at least 2km, because we all know how tenacious and stubbornly stupid young people can be when they get an idea in their heads. Another option is to put an electrified fence all around the area.

Seriously people, stay away from these falls as your selfish and thoughtless actions will possibly cost you or a friend, a life and the lives of rescue men and women who have to come and haul your sorry butt out of there when you fall or get stuck. There are many more beautiful places and waterfalls to see, without the danger.

Isabel Ashmore
Tauranga

More discussion needed
We have followed with interest over the months the ongoing discussions in these pages of Maori-Pakeha relationships, the Treaty, Te Roe and latterly the Maori Wards.

We wonder if the stage is now set for a public forum to explain and inform those interested in the past 200 years of settlement looking at for example; The Aborigines Protection Society and the English Colonial Office's attitude to New Zealand.

Also, consideration could be given to the New Zealand Company, the Treaty of Waitangi, the origins and consequences of the Land Wars, Judge Prendergast's thoughts, and the role of the Kirk Government in the 1970's as some examples of informing ourselves.

We could approach such speakers as Moon, Salmond, Turia, Orange, and Ihimaera to contribute to this forum and from this perhaps would develop a greater shared insight into the past 200 years from all perspectives.

Wol Hansen and Merrill Simmons-Hansen
Tauranga

War on drugs is failing
The war on drugs has been failing worldwide for decades and will continue to fail.
New Zealand could become a world leader by following Portugal's example and legalise cannabis.
The millions of dollars wasted on policing and imprisoning could be replaced by millions of dollars of tax earnings.
Come on Labour let's have a referendum on this issue.

Will Kehoe
Katikati