* Child poverty is caused by low income earners or unemployed gambling the money away then expecting more handouts when they can't live. $9.6 million - people let's see how many each day sit on pokies that are on the dole. It's time this Government got tough.
* Child poverty is a parental issue. I understand the cost of living is rising but that is no excuse for poor budgeting and wasteful purchases. Children's needs come first in my world, not my luxuries.
* My intentions on every purchase is to save as much money as possible.
* If you can't afford to take care of your children 100 per cent then don't have any! It's not fair to society and especially the little ones.
Bullies
* The behaviour of teenagers these days seems to be of rumours spread from one to the other, and then an innocent person is involved and used as a target. I would've done exactly the same as the girl's (who was attacked by four other teenagers) mum or even worse.
* To the mother of Summer Anderson who was attacked by four girls while she waited for the bus: You absolutely did the right thing by confronting them. No child deserves this bullying, it's disgusting the way the youth treat each other. All respect to the girl and her mother, I hope those bullies get what they deserve.
* I would have done exactly the same as Ms Anderson. Why can't we protect our kids? Why don't police charge other kids as well?
Other thoughts
* To the person in search of a smoke alarm with a 10 year battery. Ideal Electrical Supplies in Onekawa are the people to see.
* Good idea for train through gorge. How about one you can drive your car on and off. The park megacentre. Yeah right Hastings, where is the respect for history of William Nelson and Nelson Park?
* Stars in the Skies at Cabana was a fantastic night. Tania and team you were awesome.
* A reminder. The expressway is not a motorway. The logistics must sooner or later facilitate a reduced km per hour. The 'expressway' is not safe to drive. CS
* No wonder Taradale Guppy Rd river has so much rubbish dumped down there when NCC charge the prices they do to dump rubbish. Use your brains NCC it's not only Guppy rd river either! It's a very popular river so clean it up! Since you are causing people to make it look foul. MC
* To FY. I am a scooter rider who has been knocked off my bike three times by stupid car drivers going through stop signs. They should pay more if they cause the accident. There are brainless car drivers, cyclists and pedestrians too. SM, Marewa
* We are told to recycle but when the guys who pick up our glass bottles drop and break them and don't clean up we may stop doing this and put them back into the landfill.
* Great doco on Maori TV last week on HB's own Philip Rhodes. Inspirational story of a humble bloke.
* The old Warehouse in Market St could convert into an indoor sports venue. High ceiling, plenty of parking.
* Re Transfer station: One person's junk is another person's useful junk.
* Fair's fair. If QV values drop rates should drop.
* I agree with Leo Leitch about $800 k - it is absolutely ludicrous. Give Leo the money.
* It is time to legalise marijuana, this will create jobs, lower prison levels, increase tax revenue, and will take money away from the gangs. It will make it safer to use and harder for children to get their hands on it.
* To the person who said the council should put our rates up to cover school sports: Get a life - you pay for it. Lots of people struggle now - it always falls on ratepayers.
