Emirates Team New Zealand competes against Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team during the America's Cup Race 9 on Auckland Harbour. Photo / Getty Images
Now the euphoria over winning the America's Cup has subsided slightly, perhaps we can regain a sense of importance for our country. While some are calling for more money from the national purse to stage the cup four years hence, a
calmer voice needs to be heard.
The reality is money is desperately needed to cover the damages resulting from a year facing a world-wide pandemic. We are also aware of the underfunding over the years within the Health, Education and Welfare sectors. Health facilities need money to update buildings, equipment, patient systems and most importantly to pay a decent salary to those underpaid and overworked.
Many schools still require financial input, fire, ambulance and other life-saving services are also pleading for financial help, and our housing crisis needs massive investment. All these services are there to benefit us all. But the biggest outgoing will be the cost of preventing a catastrophe to our environment. So much money will be needed to clean up the damage and help rearrange lives of those at risk. We have to invest in the future and it has to be done now. Perhaps it is time for money to come from somewhere else, rather than the Government's coffers.
Emma Mackintosh, Birkenhead.
Why is visiting Auckland so difficult? Recently my wife and I travelled there for a short break, we had been advised that to use our SuperGold discount and travel for free, we would have to buy an AT Hop card.
We got the cards in Takapuna for $11 each, and were told they were "good to go". We then took a bus into the city with the hope of going to Waiheke Island to visit a sick relative.
When we tried, we were advised there was not enough balance on the ticket. The man at the ferry ticket office confirmed this, but did not offer help or advice, just blankly handed the cards back to us.
Fortunately a friend was able to drop us back to Takapuna later and we used our car for the rest of the stay.
We have since been advised that we should have registered the cards online, a "catch 22" situation when you are in Auckland and your computer is in Tauranga. We have also been advised that they should have been registered at loaded at a Hop card agency, however I do not believe there is one in the Takapuna shopping area.
What is the point of selling a product that is not fit for use?
In a time when cities are trying to encourage visitors, why is it so difficult in Auckland?
Catching a bus should not be so complicated.
Alf Weston, Tauranga.
House prices are ridiculously high and rising. Interest rates are ridiculously low and falling. Eventually the pendulum must begin to swing (as history shows) in the opposite direction.
With over half the total banking system now made up of mortgage loans, has the Government a plan for when this will inevitably happen? How are those with FOMO, buying multimillion-dollar properties with little thought for future repayments, going to repay even the interest on these vast mortgages?
I can see a tremendous crash coming for many and the banks, when that pendulum swings. A responsible government would put far stricter legislation in now to halt rising prices and prevent many future mortgagee sales.
Marie Kaire, Whangarei.
There have been articles recently about travellers who have been in quarantine either failing to pay or not being expected to pay for their two weeks in quarantine.
I have two friends whose children have visited them recently. Both are lawyers, one in London, the other in New York. Neither was expected to pay as they stayed for three months and one day. In New Zealand they both worked online.
Why should taxpayers pay for their food and linen requirements?
It's not "kind" to exploit taxpayers like this. I hope the Government gets tougher and stops this.
Judith Browne, Cambridge.
The previous US government adhered to isolationist and protectionist policies, instead the Biden administration will likely re-engage with the 11 members of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). With US inclusion and the UK striving to join, it would create the largest global trading entity and could ensure NZ producers and manufacturers are no longer dependent on any one nation. With liberalisation and unfettered access to diversified markets, which includes the Asian tiger economies, this could prove vital for our future prosperity.
P.J. Edmondson, Tauranga.
Lynn Charlton's detailed report on the cruelty of rodeo is distressing reading for anyone who cares about animals, and any thinking person who cares about NZ's standards and reputation. This brutal "sport" should have been banned long ago. The Government is just dodging the issue by allowing another four years for it to miraculously comply with the Animal Welfare Act. Get real — it can't and it won't. Ban it now.
Brenda Walker, Titirangi.
With a Titanic-like inevitably the skipper of our good ship NZ is unable to issue the order that will open up our border to enable our horticulture and tourism industries at least a chance to survive. No one is expecting a life boat for everyone but at least a lifejacket would offer a decent chance of staying afloat until more help in the shape of pickers and tourists arrive.
James Archibald, Birkenhead.
A small check on the facts extolled in John Roughan's piece in the Weekend Herald.
He claims that Auckland Council built the Viaduct Basin. This is not true. The separately elected Auckland Regional Services Trust built the Viaduct Basin and was able to because it was the majority owner of the Port company.
Auckland Council had been earlier reckoned as being bankrupt and the Trust was established, by a National government, to better manage some of the assets of Auckland City Council and the Auckland Regional Council.
When the Trust was dissolved by the Helen Clark government in 2004, the shares in the Port company were sold back to Auckland City Council. Auckland City Council subsequently had the option to purchase the above ground Viaduct Harbour assets but decided to underbid, releasing the sale to the current landlord, Viaduct Harbour Holdings.
In short, Auckland City Council were taken out of the equation, with regard to the Port company assets, for approximately 15 years. Following this term, they were gifted, almost, the Viaduct Basin.
Joe Little, St Heliers.
Simon Wilson's opinion piece (NZ Herald, March 19) highlights council inaction on moving Ports of Auckland (POAL). According to the Local Government Act, council is required to promote the social, economic, environmental, and cultural wellbeing of communities in the present and for the future.
For many years, POAL has had exclusive use of prime waterfront land for free because it has been unable to pay a dividend. Economic forecasts indicate POAL's ability to pay a meaningful dividend is on hold until well into the future. We now have a council whose inaction on unprofitable Port operations that monopolise valuable land is the cause of much compounding economic loss. This is contrary to its statutory obligation to promote economic wellbeing.
Similarly, the Port's exclusive but wasteful use of prime land denies ratepayers the opportunity for social and cultural wellbeing, and importantly, as the Port is a major environmental polluter, council inaction is failing to promote the environmental wellbeing of its citizens for now and for the future.
The UNISC report offers viable alternatives. One of which, North Port, has already proven a lifesaver for many businesses.
For whatever reason, it would appear that Goff and council are choosing to not comply with their clearly defined statutory obligations.
Neal McCarthy, Auckland Central.
On rugby
Is there a more entertaining rugby player to watch than Damian McKenzie?
Every time he gets near the ball something exciting happens. The same on defence. He pulls off some amazing tackles for his size. Jock MacVicar, Hauraki.
On vaccinations
So frustrating to note that we were once so far ahead with promised vaccinations. Now we are so far behind. In the UK half of the population have already been vaccinated. In the US, millions have been vaccinated. Here many of us must wait another two months before even becoming eligible. Bob Jessopp, Massey.
On America's Cup
ETNZ must have rocks in their head to take our next defence of the America's Cup away from our home turf. And let us host it in Wellington to see who the best sailor under Grand Prix gale conditions is. Glenn Forsyth, Taupo.
On Barker
Dean Barker is absolutely right — moving the America's Cup offshore would be like eating a week-old mullet left out in the sun. It would be fair to say that the NZ public own a share in the cup as they have embraced the race more than any other country. Reg Dempster, Albany.
On currents
The various current situations going on around the world at the moment are like a slow-motion disaster movie. Rod Matthews, Victoria.
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