Letters to the editor: Cultural markers at Mauao instead of a museum

If we can't have a museum, why not bring more culture to Mauao? Photo/file

Bring culture to Mauao

It is sad that Tauranga has decided to forego the cultural enrichment that a museum offers. However, museums are not the only repositories of cultural enrichment - they are simply the most visible institutional ones.
Tangata whenua stories are embedded within the landscape of Tauranga Moana. These can be celebrated and shared in more democratic ways than museum showcasing. Ways that are more active than archived, and don't require buildings. Stories can be shared at the very sites of cultural significance.
The Mauao Historic Reserve Management Plan is an opportunity to offer the cultural enrichment now denied by the museum rejection. Mauao, the sacred mountain, is a living anthology of tangata whenua history. It is also a conspicuous drawcard for tourists and locals. Awareness of Mauao's culturally significant sites would enhance what might otherwise be a perfunctory walking exercise. Cultural markers, such as carved gateways or pouwhenua, and informative signage could herald these sites. Negotiating the paths of Mauao could become both a physical and cultural encounter.
I hope the kaitiaki of Mauao will soon implement embodied and sustainable ways to honour and share their sacred mountain. An engaging Historic Reserve Management Plan will surpass any museum encounter.
Debbi Thyne
Mount Maunganui

Grateful for help

It was my husband's very good fortune to trip and fall on the path outside an early child-care centre in Greerton. A teacher heard the fall and came out. This was swiftly followed by another with towel and blanket. Someone was dispatched to go to the adjacent medical centre, returning with a wheelchair propelled by the receptionist. All stayed and offered comfort and support until the ambulance arrived. The humanity exhibited by all who helped, followed by the care the hospital and ambulance staff provided, reinforced for me, that despite the best efforts of some to refuse help because he was not registered at that particular doctors' surgery, many people in this random selection, preferred to exhibit our common humaneness which left my husband and myself with a sense that we mattered. I will always be very grateful. The patient is fine now, by the way.
Sally Quaddel
Maungatapu

Stop council involvement

The council had been criticised for not doing enough oversight during the Bella Vista development at the Lakes. Yet Danny Cancian claims council paperwork and interference was one of the principal reasons he was unable to complete the works. I wonder if it would not be better if councils around the country were not involved in construction at all. I understand the professionals involved, almost without exception, resent the time-consuming and seemingly pointless consent processes. It looks like revenue gathering before the building starts to generate rates. In my view, mistakes such as those seen in the Bella Vista fiasco are common nationwide. Construction is an activity that city councils are just not good at. Get rid of them and contract engineers to do the work instead.
Warwick Barnes
Te Puna