A Canvas reviewer is invited to 'go bush' with a right-wing environmentalist. Photo / Michael Craig
In her On-Screen movie review (Canvas, April 10), Zanna Gillespie opined that she'd never met a right-wing environmentalist. I can only conclude that she needs to get out more. Many of the people she finds so elusive are quietly going about their
voluntary conservation activities without fanfare or payment. They're helping to clear our special places of pests and plant trees. Many donate wonderful areas to the QEII Trust (or similar), all in an effort to preserve beautiful places for our endangered birdlife and us all.
Yours truly would be very happy to broaden Zanna's experience by taking her out on my trapline duties through Dunn's Bush, a beautiful but challenging area long maintained and then gifted by farmers Val and the late Arthur Dunn. She'll need grippy footwear, thick gloves and a strong stomach – but all in a good cause.
The article by Fran O'Sullivan (Weekend Herald, April 10) quoting Grant Robertson's letter to Air New Zealand goes to show what a grip the unions have on the Labour Government.
So the Government (unions) knows more about how to run an airline than the board or CEO?
As if the union pressure on Ports of Auckland wasn't enough this last week.
Robertson's threat to the board to "refresh" or he will doesn't take much imagination to know where the new board members will come from.
I wonder how many more companies are on his "laundry" list?
Don Pickering, Milford.
Further to Bruce Cotterill's article (Weekend Herald, April 10) on the absence of this Government's achievements, I would like to point out another emerging issue that will further exacerbate failure.
I notice a call, mostly from the female wokes of Wellington for diversity at board level. Diversity never has, and never will, increase market share nor design, develop and sell more products.
Here is how the business process should work. The board empowers the management team to develop a strategic plan. Management then presents the plan to the board for ultimate approval. Once approval is given, it is then known what the goals, objectives and strategies of the business are, usually for the next three years. The board should then be constructed of those people with the skill set to direct, guide and assist the management team to deliver on that plan.
If I discover a listed company that selects its board on diversity, I will quickly disinvest. As Cotterill points out, this Government has implemented nothing, and if they think diversity is the key to any business, then it is no wonder.
Trevor Smith, Takapuna.
Correspondent Gary Hollis (Weekend Herald, April 10) declares his saintly investments in industrial properties versus the evils wrought by residential landlords.
Yet his investments raise the price of industrial buildings and prevent would-be owner-occupied businesses from gaining the security of their own building. The tax-deductibility of loans and tax-free capital gains must also be a grave burden.
Stewart Hawkins, St Heliers.
A loyalty programme is a bribe, plain and simple, and it is fair to point out that nothing is ever free. Take petrol as a good example.
All the private operators have the lowest price, that's because they sell it as it is with essentially no bribe; no six-cent discount, no free coffee with a muffin. The stupid thing about petrol is that it's all the same no matter what bowser you stand at.
I support my local independent because it is cheaper than anywhere I have seen. My car still goes fast, and my daily coffee goes to the local cafe owner, who in this time of Covid, need all the support they can get.
John Ford, Taradale.
Reading the story about Thandiwe Newton (Weekend Herald, April 10) reminded me of how my sister, back in the early 1960s, gave birth to a son on June 18. I suggested the name Paul as he was born on Sir Paul McCartney's birthday.
Many years later, my nephew was not impressed when I pointed out that he'd dodged a bullet. If he had been born three weeks later on July 7, I might have been pushing to have him named Ringo.
John Capener, Kawerau.
The Secret Diary of ...Mike and Jacinda by Steve Braunias (Weekend Herald, April 10) was brilliant.
Like him or loathe him, Mike Hosking is not afraid to ask the Prime Minister questions that others won't. He shows dogged determination even when answers aren't forthcoming, which is most of the time.
Braunias' take on the relationship was certainly a laugh-out-loud piece of writing.
Lorraine Kidd, Warkworth.
We have a certificate for restaurants to display concerning hygiene etc. but nothing to indicate high levels of noise, which can be distressing, perhaps more to older diners than younger people.
I would be interested to know if decibel measurements are ever taken when a restaurant is at half to full capacity.
Recently, I had a very distressing experience at one of two eateries in Cornwall Park.
It must be very difficult for staff working in these places, not only these but in many other parts of Auckland and in other centres. It cannot be healthy for diners or staff to be subjected to such appalling levels of sound.
For those who go to concerts where the noise can be excruciating, well, I suppose it is their choice.
On work sites, health and safety insists on hearing protection being worn.
Our hearing should not be compromised by such excessive noise.
K. Mansell, Greenlane.
Considering a man emits 16 tons of CO2 in his lifetime I wonder how many carbon credits the coronavirus has now accumulated. Gary Hollis, Mellons Bay.
May I propose that all schools add the word "tolerance" to their motto, and the children practise this every day. Perhaps in a generation or two, this will produce citizens who understand everyone is different. A. Bowman, Hillsborough.
It is a nightmare for anyone with mobility issues to come into the Aotea precinct and car park these days. The NX2 bus route does not stop anywhere near there and the carpark lift has been under refurbishment for months. Fiona Downes, Hobsonville.
Would it be "too definitive" for Minister Robertson to advise that he has ruled out residential rent controls? Larry Mitchell, Rothesay Bay.
Good luck to the students demonstrating for action on climate change. Do they realise that Antarctica was once covered in trees? Pamela Russell, Ōrākei.
To suggest that everyone who arrives in NZ from India and tests positive on day one has miraculously caught Covid on their way to the airport is preposterous. Paul Field, St Heliers.
It's frightening that we have a Government that runs on luck and blaming its own incompetence on individuals. Pim Venecourt, Pāpāmoa.
Lying to the boss is what you get when you entrust private commercial interests with the most vital aspect of the nation's safety, while, of course, the whole nation risks paying the costs of that lying. Dr. M.S. Jones, Hamilton.
Hearing this morning's interview with Minister Hipkins about problems with border workers' Covid-19 testing status brought to mind a long-buried song by Forces' favourite
singer Anne Shelton titled Comin' In On a Wing And a Prayer. Nick Nicholas, Greenlane.
Chris Bishop's call to have unvaccinated security staff redeployed immediately would surely leave MIQ facilities with staff shortages. Does he suggest we close some facilities? Ian Swney, Morrinsville.
An uncle of mine went to Dental School in Dunedin around 1930. He Lived in Palmerston North and his transport to and from Dunedin was a bicycle. I fall about laughing when reading about how life is so tough for students. Garry Wycherley, Awakino.
Re: The Erebus memorial protest. If we are going to have an occupation every time some don't like the outcome of a robust process, we are in serious trouble. I can't help thinking of Trump and his supporters. Derrick Adams, Parnell.
I too wish to appeal against the mosque killer's prison conditions. Anything more than a concrete bunker with a bucket in the corner and a bread and water diet is too good for him. Ray Gilbert, Pāpāmoa Beach.
I for one am mighty proud that New Zealand has finally seen the trade for what it is and has put animal welfare before money. The only pity is that it still has two years to run. Paul Beck, West Harbour.
Video of the tumble down the bank includes the caption '“pay ya bills or pay the price'.