Letters to the editor: Cruise ship solution to lack of MIQ availability

The Majestic Princess arrives in Tauranga in October 2018. Photo / NZME

Having read with interest your article on the Government's MIQ strategy I have been mulling over an idea for some time to help with this problem.

Actually, I'm surprised nobody else has thought of it. Remember all those hundreds of cruise liners queueing up to visit our shores? Where are they now?

Why cannot these huge monstrous ships that can accommodate thousands of people be used for MIQ? It would solve the waiting lists almost instantly.

Moored in sheltered waters off several of our larger cities they would be ideal for securely keeping people isolated in what can only be described as luxury accommodation. No doubt there might be problems with shipping those needing MIQ to and from these ships, not to mention security staff and medical personnel but that's not an insurmountable problem.

The question of safe ventilation and air conditioning no doubt can be resolved before these ships can be put into service.

Having to construct purpose-built MIQ facilities around the country at a huge cost is just not viable. Surely cruise liners would be a much more viable solution.

With less risk of further outbreaks of Covid-19, lockdown levels could be dropped much quicker and businesses could soon get back to normal and let the economy grow again.

Tim May
Tauranga

'Doing nothing is not an option'

Wake up, Tauranga ratepayers.

Do you want this Government to take our city's water-related assets, paid for by generations of ratepayers, and currently valued in the region of $1.6 billion?

I certainly don't.

The implications on ratepayers throughout New Zealand is massive. The Government has insulted the ratepayers of Tauranga with an offer of $48 million.

Tauranga ratepayers, I implore you to log on to the Tauranga City Council's website and make your views known to the commissioners. I certainly have.

Demand a referendum be held on this appalling proposal. Doing nothing is not an option.

Ross Steele
Tauranga

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