Letters to the editor: History is in the past, leave Greerton's name alone

A reader strongly disagrees with the idea that Greerton needs a name-change. Photo / File

I strongly oppose any attempt to change Greerton's name.

History is just that, history, and not all the facts of history are palatable to everyone today.

However, this does not mean that people who do not like the historical facts have the right to expunge them by removing any references that exist.

Times were very different in 1864, and, to claim that Maori in 2021 are dishonoured by the name Greerton (read Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Greer, if you must) is seeking to impose their view on others.

Tauranga has far greater problems to address in 2021.

Let us get on with living together in today's world and stop the opening of old wounds.

Paul Barnard
Ōhauiti

Prudent policy

The Government must make local bodies only charge increases in rates in line with the consumer index.

Councils will then have to operate prudently and only do what they are supposed to do and that is to supply services for the ratepayer and stop dream schemes that run away with ratepayer money.

This country is cluttered with white-elephant monuments from all councils.

The Government also needs to stop putting its responsibilities on to local authorities because that makes us pay twice - first by wage taxes and again in rates.

Pensioners have worked hard over the years and paid their taxes but now that it is our turn, we can't have a realistic pension because the Government has wasted so much money over many years.

The Government appears to have a policy of paying miserable amounts and hoping we fall off the perch to save some pension.

Graham Holloway
Gate Pa

Climate change

It was with some dismay I missed participating in the climate change march held in Tauranga last month.

I am fully supportive of actions to halt the further destabilisation of the planet.

Many directions are proposed to reduce "our" carbon footprint but noticeably governance authorities bypass the obvious solution to introduce passenger rail, which is sustainable and a long-term solution compared to the outmoded road-reliant transportation of cars, buses and trucks - which in BOP generates 63 per cent of carbon emissions.

Since 1990, such emissions have increased 26 per cent.

With hundreds of millions worth of developments proceeding in the Tauranga area - including Tauriko residential, Omokoroa commercial, Te Tumu residential, Papamoa Junction, and Rangiuru industrial - the road-reliant transportation dictated in the Long Term Plan guarantees congestion and emissions will certainly reach new record levels.

Fortunately, the answer of rail and light rail offers many solutions and opportunities.

Why is it authorities budget more than $1 billion for roading but zero for rail?

Rail would be a game-changer in every way offering a permanent, significantly more efficient low-impact transportation asset that can drastically lower carbon emissions and pollution whilst enhancing the quality of life for the future. (Abridged)

Jos Nagels
Brookfield

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