We could get a fine, foot-powered bridge and a fair few motorists out of their cars for $800 million. Photo / Alex Burton
I have read with dismay the current opinion-making concerning the Auckland "cycle bridge".
How absurd that bike riding is being framed as an elitist pastime. So, let's start calling t it what it is, a feet-powered bridge. And a fine one for $800 million, I bet.
I have seen no inquiry made on what kind of footbridge we will get for that kind of money.
So I will tell you. We will get one that will be loved and enjoyed centuries from now, an asset so long-lasting that it makes a mockery of asinine cost-benefit analysis carried out by the likes of the Treasury. One that will speak to further generations of the boldness and far-sightedness of their ancestors who even during a global pandemic had the foresight to build for a greener, sustainable future. A footbridge built by a people who had the heart, to build something for all, not just those who can afford a car. Who built for more than just a means to get to work.
So Waka Kotahi, how about a few drawings? Inspire us! I want this bridge to have pylons with steps down to the water we can fish off, or tether a marina or a salt-water swimming pool, or maybe a bungee jump. How about making it wide enough for little parks with restaurants and cafes, or a sound shell for bands?
Good grief, we could even put a few apartment blocks on it, as done in medieval times!
Enough with the tools on the radio hating on bicycles. This is an opportunity for New Zealand. Take it.
Fred Caesar, Dunedin.
Where lurks Kiwi Trump?
Having just watched a documentary on that doyen of the political left, Barack Obama, I am struck by the huge similarity between the ex-president and Jacinda Ardern. Both high-functioning political orators, long on rhetoric and promises of transformational change, and both failing dismally to actually deliver on those promises.
That failure in America led to the rise of Donald Trump and one wonders where, in the NZ political spectrum, might our own equivalent populist be lurking?
John Denton, Napier.
Drugs war collapses
Gangs are flourishing, prisons overflowing, violence is rampant, especially against the police, and the one common denominator is drug demand.
The so-called war on drugs is an abject failure, it has tackled supply and is failing. We surely have to deal with demand instead, using education and rehabilitation. The concerted attack on cigarette smoking is working. This is alongside legal supply. If someone is determined to take drugs then it would be far better to have regulated supply outlets alongside a massive anti-drug propaganda effort and unlimited help for addicts to kick the habit.
Vince West, Milford.
Health comes first
Does it matter who wins? Simone Biles told us the answer. Recognising the mental health of fellow competitors at the Olympics is a priority. Our Olympians are not gladiators competing for a crowd with power of life and death over them. John Roughan can "go back to his book" (Weekend Herald, August 7) — probably on how the Nats might break a losing streak.
Steve Russell, Hillcrest.
Rugby exceptions
Obviously a game of rugby is of far greater importance than the wellbeing of five million people.
Chrissy Barrett, Waiheke Island.
About that medal haul ...
The most medals won in an Olympics by New Zealand in Tokyo has to be seen in context of medals available.
In 1964, there were 20 sports and 163 events offering medal-winning opportunities. In 2021, there were 33 sports and 339 events offering the same opportunity. In 2021, six new sports were added so the 13 medals won at Seoul in 1988 and 13 in London in 2012 in context were proportionally equally as great an achievement as in Tokyo 2021.
Gary Hollis, Mellons Bay.
Outside looking in
I am amazed how little press the log-jam at our border is getting.
Approximately 20,000 Kiwis are presently competing in a sick online game of "hunt-the-voucher", courtesy of MBIE, which controls the MIQ application process. The MIQ allocation website was cobbled together at a rush last year but is no longer fit for purpose. It has been overwhelmed by weight of numbers and the cottage industry of bots and commercial "click-farms" that has developed to milk the unfortunates who are being shut out of their own country.
Chris Hipkins and MBIE director Megan Main would have us believe the system itself is not at fault: it's all down to the lack of capacity at the MIQ facilities themselves, as if it's simply not possible to expand on the 4000 rooms earmarked for general MIQ (of 6200 set aside) due to "shortage of staff". Or to be more efficient with what space is available. The Government is not releasing statistics on actual throughput, but numbers suggest that "contingency" (rooms being set aside, just in case), "cohorting" (MIQ hotels closing for new arrivals 96 hours after first "check-in"), renovation work and late cancellations may be wasting about a quarter of that capacity at any given time.
Criticism has been levelled at the crush of MIQ applicants themselves, that they should have returned earlier in the year when there was plenty of space available. This implies that everyone knew in advance that their wife was going to get cancer, or their father pass away, that they would lose their overseas job and/or their visa. Even that they could foresee the dramatic effect of the Delta variant round the world.
Another Government talking point implies that it is limiting MIQ throughput as a way to manage risk, which begs the question: is this unfair and inefficient (some would say, broken) MIQ system just a covert lock-out, a way to get round our citizens' right of return?
It's true, the number of NZ citizens and residents who wish/need to enter over the coming months far outstrips the number of MIQ slots being made available, but Delta's spread means this has become a long-term problem. So let's do something constructive about it now, rather than just shrugging shoulders and locking out our own, while rugby teams, entertainers and billionaires waltz on in.
James Fernie, Onerahi.
Money talks at border
Two recent headlines caught my attention . The first concerns a NZ resident who has been in the country for nearly a decade who is "helpless" after immigration denies his wife a visa.
The second concerns Google boss Larry Page, who secured NZ residency under the wealthy investor category.
Enough said.
Glennys Adams, Oneroa.
Ardern's timing
Is the PM's decision to announce her Covid plans on Thursday a deliberate ploy to divert attention from the nurses' strike?
Mike Baker, Tauranga.
Final achievement
Another fact about Tom Walsh and the Olympics shot put final. It was the first time all the medal winners threw over 22m in a final, and possibly for this trio it was a first together in competition.
Nick Nicholas, Greenlane.
Taxing question
The Bonus Bonds scheme is winding up. If I am lucky I may get $110 for my $100 "investment". I'm given the choice of either having the final amount paid directly into my bank account, or tick the box and they will donate it to the Cancer Society — a noble option.
If I choose the latter, the Cancer Society will receive $110. However, if the payout is deposited into my bank account, I can donate it to the Cancer Society myself. I can also add the tax that I will claim back on the donation, and so they will receive $140.
In UK the charity can claim the tax — just tick the box to indicate the donor is a tax-payer. Why is that not done here?
Chris Thompson, Rothesay Bay.
Keeping up with facts
I expect experts to keep up with evidence and not to hold steadfast to opinions superseded by data. Canada moved to a 16-week delayed second dose Covid shot in March. This was based on excellent re-analysis of original Pfizer data, the high efficacy of a single dose, the shortage of vaccine, the urgency of response required and noting that historically all vaccines generate better immunity with extended dose intervals. A UK study, published in May, confirmed the strategy saved lives. With no community Covid, New Zealand has been in an ideal position for this strategy for months.
Stewart Hawkins, St Heliers.
On National
Regarding the re-election of Peter Goodfellow as National Party president, hasn't the Party heard the definition of insanity is doing the same thing but expecting a different result? Jonathan Jepson, Torbay.
On MIQ
David Seymour and his party, who are forever supporting business and continually criticising the Government for not doing so, comes out when Labour allows MIQ priorities for urgent business travel. Roger Kenah, Te Atatu South.
On medals
I wonder why Lydia Ko and Japanese golfer Mone Inami — who tied for second after 72 holes — decided not to share the silver medal, as the high jump men did for gold, rather than play off for second and third places. Alan Walker, St Heliers.
On prices
Newspapers need to stop sensationalising the high prices of tomatoes now — it's winter. They don't mention the 79c/kg apple prices, or $1 each for an avocado last week. Glenn Forsyth, Taupo.
On expo
I wish to express my outrage at the "unfair Government booking 400 MIQ rooms" between October and March for government staff and performers to attend an expo in Dubai. This is extreme arrogance. Janet Boyle, Orewa.
You'd wonder how a team whose players apparently deserve such high individual ratings produced such a poor, and dreadfully dull performance. Alfred T.
Hopefully Will Jordan is in the mix next week. Good to see Brodie throwing himself around. Ross C.
That was the worst All Blacks performance in about 30 years. The team has so much talent yet it's totally clueless in strategy. We are not going to get close to winning the World Cup with this coaching team. Boring and disjointed. Simon D.
A very poor match. Watch out for the Springboks. Ian U.
All Blacks were horrible to watch. The backline was weak with no one there to make Australia think. Lucky the game ended at 80 minutes. Dave L.
The All Blacks win and still people grizzle. Surprised those people are not grizzling about the gold medallists for not finishing higher. We have over-expectation of the ABs — perfection and nothing else. An ABs win should never be a given (as if they did, then it wouldn't be a sport). Breathe, relax ... and remember we always play better in the second test. Murray B.
With 100 per cent kicking success, Australia would have won by 38-33. Getting just the penalties would have seen them win by 34-33. A pathetic All Blacks effort, in fact. Mel G.
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Firefighters responded shortly before 9am on Friday.