Letters: Māori component of courses part of our maturing process

Engineering students once mocked Māori culture at their graduation by dancing, black-faced, in grass skirts. Engineering students are pictured here performing a haka as part of university capping week in 1955. Photo / NZME

Māori course component part of our maturing process

David Seymour and Parmjeet Parmar criticised the compulsory first-year course at the University of Auckland that had a Māori component and that is now likely to be made optional.

When I first started teaching in a university half a century ago, graduation occurred in May because in olden days exam scripts had to get to the “old country” and back by ship to get marked; engineering students mocked Māori culture at their graduation by dancing, black faced, in grass skirts; New Zealand kids at school learned more about the kings and queens of England than they did about the history of their own country; and God Save The Queen was sung in smoke-filled cinemas.

Today, we mark our own scripts, still have a May/Autumn graduation, but also a Spring/September one; engineering students no longer conduct false haka; the teaching of New Zealand history is now compulsory in schools; and we have a national anthem that is sung in two languages and outdoors at sporting occasions.

So, the idea that first-year students – local and international – might learn a little more about the special nature of this country as part of their tertiary, including professional, learning is, from one perspective at least, part of the growing up of this country into a mature and tolerant society with a rich and varied history.

Long may it continue.

Peter Davis, Emeritus Professor, University of Auckland.

Not such an easy procedure

On Newstalk ZB when talking about surgery this week, Mike Hosking said “hips and knees are big, cataracts are easy”.

It is true that cataract surgery is one of the most successful operations that exists. Ophthalmologists themselves are sometimes responsible for trivialising the operation.

However, modern cataract surgery involves many delicate steps, and there is a very significant learning curve in becoming competent to perform the surgery to the standard which patients rightly expect, usually excellent vision.

Nowadays, a sight-threatening complication is uncommon, but is still a possibility, even in the best of hands.

O.B. Hadden, Past President, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists

Problems with peace plan

The recently announced Trump-Netanyahu “peace plan” for Gaza has been hailed by some as a pathway to stability, yet it fundamentally ignores the voices and rights of Palestinians.

It largely sidelines Palestinians, offering them a technocratic administration under international supervision rather than true sovereignty.

Key issues such as the right of return for refugees, lifting of the Gaza blockade, and an end to illegal settlement expansion in the West Bank are absent. There is little acknowledgment of decades of occupation, ongoing displacement, and repeated attacks on civilian infrastructure.

A genuine peace plan must centre Palestinians’ demands for freedom, dignity, and justice. It should allow them to control their borders, govern their territories, rebuild Gaza, and participate fully in negotiations about their future.

Dana A Patterson, Ōneroa.

Wisdom of NZ stance

The release yesterday of the plan for Palestine if Hamas agrees to the terms, underscores how sensible our current Government’s stance on recognising a Palestinian state is.

The plan for peace is a sensible way forward for all involved but cannot be implemented unless Hamas has reached the point where it is ready to give away power.

The involvement of Arab nations is sensible and the Indonesian offer of a peacekeeping force is very helpful.

The countries that recognised Palestine did so knowing it would not be recognised until the peace proposal was recognised. Our stance was a much more honest and realistic assessment of the situation.

J. Hansen, Hastings.

Reunite families

I totally disagree with the coalition Government’s decision not to recognise or promote a Palestinian state, but wish to take them up on their role “as a peace-maker”.

This goal was reiterated by the Prime Minister during a recent interview. If the Government is genuine, it could make a goodwill gesture by bringing, both from Gaza and the West Bank, families who have relatives living permanently in New Zealand and who want to come here.

Paul Protheroe, Papatoetoe.

Difficult to achieve

Peace, love, tranquility, humility and respect. Why are these words so easy to say but so difficult to put into practice?

Bruce Tubb, Devonport.

Risk of quake reforms

I cannot believe that, with the stroke of a pen, earthquake-strengthening requirements have been relaxed.

All those who have spent millions of dollars complying with the old rules have every right to be aggrieved.

This reminds me of the similar situation when methamphetamine standards in rental properties were also dropped.

What this suggests is that no one has any real idea of what is actually safe and what is not. This runs the risk of creating mistrust of government agencies that could be seen to be making things up as they go along.

John Ford, Taradale.