Texts To The Editor: 30/09/11

Dog registration

*   We have had our much loved family dog for 5 years now, we have registered her every year but due to hard times this year we were unable to do so before the cut off date, so we were penalised another $50 on top of that. Now the council has sent us a $300 fine. So to register my dog it's now going to cost about $450! I guess I'm off to court then. Also why are we paying more than Napier to register our animals? We pay $140 in rates a month and have never missed a payment, for what? The council that has no idea what its doing and continues to rip us all off. KF

Daylight saving

*   Daylight saving: Why don't we just change time by 30 minutes for all the year? Save a lot of hassle.

The haka

*   I'm really confused. Haka is our culture, stop grumbling all you lot if you don't like it go home to your originals. My mum is going on 89 years and she never complained when she was strapped for speaking Maori resulting in visible scarring today. She never said "enough of speaking English" she got on with life ... and continues to enjoy the haka where ever, when ever. Let's get on with winning the World Cup . Frances Smiler-Edwards

*   Re haka: Love it. Never lose it. However, those that can't do it right don't bother doing it at all. Leave it to the players on the field or our culture clubs. Those that do the haka and can't do the actions right look like idiots ABs bringing it home. Johno .

*   Regardless of opinion, the haka deserves respect.

*   Leave the haka alone, you moaners. Give it the respect it deserves from way back in history. Was part of the greatest battalion to leave our shores. Show respect. Baza.

*   PS: l am pakeha.

*   Imagine the haka done accompanied by the bag pipes! Think l'd rather be stuck on a train.

T*   he haka on Saturday a disgrace - grown men acting like wild animals then the hand across the throat a good message for our young ones. Time to get rid of it. PB

Don Brash

*   Don Brash is the first MP wannabe to come out with policy that reflects reality. I'll vote for that!

*   Brash right. Banks idiot. Good on Don - it's going to happen. I don't smoke it but put the the cops onto P, that would be dollars well spent. Bazza

*   Don Brash's call 2 legalise marijuana. How bloody irresponsible.

*   How low does Don Brash have to go to get a vote. Decriminalising cannabis isn't going to solve anything other than add to the mayhem on our roads etc, so either he's planning to catch a few more votes from the overwhelming number of Harry Potheads in the country or he's an avid smoker himself. Which is it Don? RB

Other thoughts

I*   've continued to read texts re anti-abortions and have wanted to text in but never did - until now. Every day for the past two months I look at the scan photos on the wall of the little one I had to give up. The choice was so hard and the regret of "what if" still taunts me. I'm reminded every day in my heart, but it's those who judge that truly hurts me more.

*   Hey who else out there can not afford this free view stuff?Just to put an aerial in is $145 or more then you still have to pay for the box. Whole cost well over my budget. PJ

*   How much did the flash lights for cyclists on the bridge cost when there is a perfectly good cycle track going around it? CC

*   To the thieving no-hoper sods who stole the now tapu skateboard, helmet and tools from a garage in Rutherford Road - you'll keep

*   The 80s and 90s as a child and young adult in Napier was fun! There was so much to do along the Marine Parade. There was the Kiwi House, go carts, bumper boats, pedal boats, earthquake museum and Marineland. Almost all lost over time to Art Deco overload! Marineland is worth fighting for. GM