Letters to the editor: Benefit increase small in dollar terms

Benefit increases are large in percentage terms but not dollar terms, writes a reader. Photo / File

I wish to point out to Andrew Sommerville and others that while increases to beneficiaries, including myself, are larger than some others in percentage terms, those very percentages on the amount of a benefit mean a very small increase in the number of dollars.

Typically, it is almost enough to buy a cup of coffee a week, although many beneficiaries would not do that due to limitations of their budget.

In contrast, a person on $200,000 given a 3 per cent increase would receive a $6000 increase, or $120 a week.

That is not only a very large increase in dollars but on top of considerable amount of discretionary spending already.

To balance this, I suggest consideration be given to a larger percentage increase on a "basic living" amount $25,000, perhaps, than on income above that, say 1.5 or two times it.

G. Keith Overend
Bellevue

Development contributions and water

Re Ratepayers slugged twice, (Letters, May 25), your correspondent has voiced a commonly held belief, which at best is only partly true.

Development contributions are paid on all new properties, as a contribution towards the existing infrastructure the properties will be using; and to meet the cost of the new infrastructure they require.

It is true that this revenue typically becomes available after the council has footed the bill for new infrastructure, because the contributions only become payable when sections are sold. That's something we're discussing with the Government, to see if there is a funding mechanism that doesn't rely on local government picking up growth costs from the outset.

The letter also referred to the ''water shortage''. The council's significant investment in the Waiari water scheme is designed to future-proof the city's supply. It is partly needed to provide for the needs of existing residents (ie, address the current water supply issue); and partly needed to provide the capacity for ongoing city growth.

Interestingly, as part of the current draft long-term plan consultation, we're seeking feedback on a proposal to significantly increase development contributions. If approved, this will mean that developers will continue to pay a fair share towards existing and new infrastructure.

Anne Tolley
Commission chair

Wonderful event

On Saturday, we attended the excellent Te Hau Kōmaru Festival at the Tauranga Bridge Marina and were totally impressed with the great organisation, the variety of activities and workshops on offer and above all the passion, warmth, positivity and knowledge of the crew members we spoke with.

This was such a wonderful event that it deserved the best of local media coverage and attendance by people who may not have experienced such warmth, professionalism and positivity by tangata whenua previously.

Attending deepened my understanding of traditional voyaging but also of tikanga and manākitanga. We were made to feel so welcome with warm invitations to engage with crew members in conversation.

Let's hope that the event returns sometime soon. Thanks so much to nga tangata o Te
Hau Kōmaru.

Bruce Fraser
Bethlehem

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. No correspondence will be entered into.

Email editor@bayofplentytimes.co.nz