We desperately need our politicians to stop politicising strategic infrastructure and to get on with a bipartisan approach in the best interests of New Zealand.
Phil Chitty, Albany.
Shipping rethink
I am continually puzzled by the lack of discussion about alternatives to rail- and truck-capable inter-island ferries. New Zealand comprises two long thin islands with several ports on the east coasts and, as such, is ideally suited to the use of coastal container shipping to transport goods around the country.
Just think what a regular service, with vessels carrying 100 to 200 containers, would do to ease the congestion on our overcrowded roads and the potholes caused by large freight trucks. Not to mention the beneficial effects of the reduction in fossil fuel burning. A service like that would mean we would only need smaller vessels to carry passengers with cars and campervans for the inter-island ferries.
Additionally, we could rationalise our export/import trade by establishing a main container port – maybe at Marsden Point – and using the coastal container shipping service as a feeder service to transport containers to and from smaller ports, as is normal in most other countries. This could result in cheaper shipping costs, as surely the shipping companies at present pass on the costs of the small and inconvenient trips between the many small ports to load tiny shipments.
Donald Stewart, Browns Bay.
Action vs evidence
As judged by political editor Claire Trevett (Weekend Herald, December 14), Minister Simeon Brown’s success seems to be due to “getting things done”. So, higher speed limits, roading upgrades, more motorways, and even road tolls (we’ll learn to want them). But minimal public transport support, and the undermining of KiwiRail.
Brown was keen to see Anne Tolley step down from her governance role in Tauranga; a democratic choice for mayor, please. And so Tory Whanau (fairly elected) has been left in charge, under observation. But despite David Seymour’s wishes, National knows it’s best not to let voters go near the Treaty Principles Bill, fearing a democratic outcome that is ugly and divisive.
I think many of us question the wisdom of majority rule after Donald Trump’s win. In the contest with evidence – think vaccinations, fluoridation, Treaty of Waitangi expertise, speed/road fatalities, bootcamps, online news sources, climate change ... popular feeling goes one way but science and the experts go another. Brown might win in the short term, but we learn the hard way, and often at very great cost.
Barbara Darragh, Auckland Central.
Right call on racing
The editorial on the banning of greyhound racing (NZ Herald, December 16) is beyond happiness for many, most of all for the beautiful, unconditionally loving, defenceless creatures themselves. Well done to the previous Government, and Winston Peters, for bringing an end to this cruelty.
Let’s hope we can continue the good work by ferreting out the dog fighting that is going on, and finding a solution to reducing unwanted puppies – maybe tax-funded desexing is a possibility.
The last line summed it up beautifully in your editorial “…that ensures the safety and welfare of all animals for whom this is, indeed, the best Christmas present”.
Glenn Forsyth, Taupō.
INZ miscalculation
You report on the situation facing Hung Tran and his family having been denied residency due to his son’s autism (NZ Herald, December 16).
Someone really needs to take another hard look at this decision. This is a young man with the ability to make a huge contribution to our country’s ailing infrastructure, but he is being denied that opportunity because his son may cost our health and/or education services $81,000 over five years. The value of Mr Tran’s contribution over that time will far outweigh the possible cost. Come on Immigration NZ – get real and look at the wider picture!
Rosemary Mackenzie, Rotorua.
