I have heard that Fullers is introducing new ferries for the Auckland-Waiheke route. As a Waiheke resident and frequent ferry service user, how will the change affect my day-to-day travel? Is this going to be beneficial to commuters and locals?
Imogen O'Neill, Waiheke Island.
Izania Downie, general manager of sales and marketing for Fullers, says the company is investing $16 million in two new ferries that will make 20 or more journeys each day and provide a standardised commute to and from Waiheke. The new vessels will ensure half-hour services are a regular occurrence (currently, due to vessel size, the trip time can be variable). The vessels will offer Wi Fi, USB ports and other mainstays of travel on every route. The first vessel will be launched in October 2016.
Do the road rules apply to traffic in mall carparks? In the Glenfield Mall multi-level carpark I was within metres of being taken out by a vehicle descending from the upper level via a ramp with a clearly visible compulsory stop sign. Not only did this vehicle fail to stop, it went through the "intersection" at a speed close to that expected on the street, not a carpark. Who is the responsible authority to police these places? Don Wedgwood, Beach Haven
The carpark owner or operator is responsible for monitoring any signs for speed limits or stop signs within the carpark.
According to the Citizens' Advice Bureau website, the laws about parking and driving on private land, including a commercial carpark or shop carpark, are not in a specific piece of legislation. The rules are covered by contract law and laws relating to trespass.
If you pay for parking in a private carpark then any signs or information provided to you by the carpark operator before you park become part of your contract.
By parking in the carpark you are agreeing to the terms of the contract written on the sign.
Another magpie deterrent. In Brisbane, Bev Pointon of Papakura noticed cyclists' helmets with "spikes" - numerous long cable ties fastened to the outside of helmets by threading the ties through helmet air spaces. She was told that these were effective protection against dive-bombing magpies.
A footnote to the story about Ernie St Paul, of Ernie's Track in the Hunua Ranges. It seems he died in 1982, aged 75.