Call a public meeting with Rocket Lab in Gisborne

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Opinion

Re: Enabling race in space between superpowers, Sept 13.

Hi Manu, it is amazing to read your letter and the knowledge you have against Rocket Lab.

Do you support Sonya Smith and her small group calling themselves “Rocket Lab Monitor”?

Do you support their threat to cause disruption?

That is not on. Like you, they say Rocket Lab with the Government is misleading us New Zealanders — when it is them doing all the misleading.

To me it is no good going to the press with your ideas, etc. I am not saying you are totally wrong.

The best way I think is to call a public meeting in Gisborne with Rocket Lab and I am sure Morgan Bailey and her team will take you up on that offer. To me they are totally professional with their presentations and are able to answer any questions put to them.

I think you will need a strong person to chair the meeting (maybe you Manu?) to stop any stupid disruptions from protesters like we see at Kaiuku Marae at Mahia.

I think we need Rocket Lab and the US to try to keep ahead of China, Russia, North Korea and others.

We can’t sit here and think we are safe. It is no good stopping progress and when we are in danger, crying for help.

China has been moving into the South Pacific, with more than just its huge fishing fleet. I understand it is building a port in Honiara that could become a naval base, alongside its new security agreement with the Solomon Islands.

Our Government can only sit on its hands and “suck it up”.

It looks like North Korea is teaming up with Russia.

What do you say, Manu — am I right or am I right? There should be a public meeting in Gisborne with Rocket Lab.

I look forward to your reply.

Merv Goodley