Letters: Terror response, political paralysis, Novak Djokovic, and Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and

Police outside LynnMall after the terror attack in Countdown on September 3. Photo / Alex Burton

Opinion

Letter of the week: Simon Nash, Napier

David Fisher's article (Weekend Herald, September 4) contains all the wisdom and maturity of response to this event, which hopefully our lawmakers will keep in mind as they respond to it.
The awful mistake made by authorities in the US, as reflected in their response to 9/11, bent on revenge as much as justice, has only served to widen the cracks in US society and instead of maintaining social cohesion, has eroded it further. Civil and individual freedoms have been curtailed as much as citizens' trust in government, in the botched response of US authorities ever since 9/11.
Hope your article is read and acted upon by our lawmakers in response to the attack.

Arresting threats
In the wake of the knife attack in Auckland (Weekend Herald, September 4) we need to examine further what changes should be made to legislation to enable people who are so obviously a threat to be taken into custody.
The Government has known about this issue for some time, and to its credit, has tried to tighten up the law. But the changes proposed would not necessarily have worked for this instance.
The proposed new laws make it an offence to plan a terrorist act but, because of the lack of direct evidence, it might have been difficult to prove in this case that such a situation applied.
What was clear, though, is that the individual was immersing himself in the ideology of terrorism, but the proposed new law does not – yet - address that. The Government needs to address the wording to ensure that it does.
Pete Tashkoff, Henderson.

Common traits
The quarantine escapee and the terrorist (Weekend Herald, September 4) have a couple of things in common.
Both cases involve individuals who chose to put themselves ahead of the welfare of the community. One was stupid, the other evil.
Unless we live in a police state, such stupidity and evil will, unfortunately, occur from time to time.
In both cases, the police deserve commendation that the consequences were not far more serious.
Greg Cave, Sunnyvale.

Aghast from afar
As one of the vast number of Brits who dearly love New Zealand and its people I simply write to say how horrified I am by the latest terrorist attack (Weekend Herald, September 4).
It beggars belief that the hospitality of New Zealand may be repaid in this foul and cowardly fashion. Is it not time to put the welfare and safety of New Zealand people before the comfort of abusive immigrants? Those who advertise loathsome, extremist views should be sent back whence they came. I am afraid that New Zealand needs to recognise the lack of gratitude that many display.
John Twitchen, Essex, England.

Political dithering
Thousands of essential skilled workers, from doctors and nurses to dairy farm managers, (Weekend Herald, September 4) are leaving New Zealand, after years of waiting in vain for residency applications to be processed.
We are once again enduring prolonged lockdowns, having waited longer than any other OECD nation for vaccines to arrive.
Six Auckland shoppers have been stabbed by a known terrorist threat, unable to be deported or detained while waiting for his immigration appeal to be decided. Police investigations that revealed fraud in his refugee claim began in 2016.
Delayed decisions and bureaucratic bottlenecks have real human consequences. Before looking to shiny new legislative vehicles, ministers and officials should set about taking the brakes off those already in place.
Stephen Bayldon, Mt Roskill.

Wide shot
John Roughan (Weekend Herald, September 4) lauds Novak Djokovic as a fine model for young tennis players.
There must be two tennis players named Novak Djokovic, because the one I have watched has never been a suitable role model, and most especially has not been one over the last 18 months.
During his singles bronze medal match at the Olympics, he threw his racket into the stands in frustration, and then violently smashed his racket into the court. He decided to not even participate in the mixed doubles bronze medal match.
Last year, after publicly stating his opposition to vaccination for players on the tennis tour, he organised a private tour in the Balkans playing in front of unmasked crowds. Unsurprisingly, Djokovic and many others became infected with Covid-19.
This time last year, he was disqualified from the US Open for sending a ball into the throat of a line judge after losing a point.
Should Djokovic control his temper long enough this year to win the US Open and complete a Grand Slam, it may be a laudable sporting achievement. But he should never be a role model for anyone.
Suzi Lyons, Kumeū

Headline hoots
May I suggest that you offer to appreciative Herald readers a chance to nominate and vote for the wittiest letter headline of the year. Perhaps an annual Nailed It Award?
To start the ball rolling, I nominate two recent examples. Topic: sympathy from a South Islander for Auckland's Covid plight; headlined "Southern comfort". Topic: cooking together as a family during lockdown; caption: "Kitchen sync".
J McDonald, Sunnyhills.

Haere mai, Dame Kiri
I am sure that many would join me in wishing Dame Kiri a happy Kiwi homecoming. Even more so knowing how much she prizes her "little family" relations and particularly the fulfilling relationship with her grandson Luther.
After all the sacrifices she and her two children have made in supporting her stellar career, it is time now for our national treasure to treasure the joys of family life and grandmotherhood.
Larry Mitchell, Rothesay Bay.

An Auckland fan
A huge shout-out from Canterbury to you guys up there in Auckland, living under the strictures of a tight lockdown. We are thinking of you at this time.
My wish is that it will end quickly for all you good folk. Cheers and thanks for "taking one for the team".
Charles Jaine, Mt Somers.

A quick word

The Government is keeping families apart by severely limiting MIQ bookings and on the other hand booked 400 MIQ places for its own staff and some performers to go to an expo in Dubai. Where's the kindness? Janet Boyle, Ōrewa.

So. Possessing methamphetamine and intending to sell it is punishable by imprisonment. Possessing weapons and planning terrorism is not. John Bow, Whitianga.

Do we really need all three of Trevett, Braunias and O'Sullivan ranting about Collins in the same (Weekend Herald, September 4) edition? Maybe Judith has a point. Mike Newland, Matakana.

Phil Dunbier's plea (Weekend Herald, September 4) for an admission by government that it might have done things better would invite political suicide, in the same way "yes" and "no" are erased from political vocabulary. Alan Thomas, Silverdale.

The article on Rachael Jordon the helicopter crash survivor (Weekend Herald, September 4) made wonderful reading after a sad day in Auckland. We are thrilled she has regained the ability to walk. Linda Beck, West Harbour.

Bring back seameal custard. Please. Vanya Lowry, Glenfield.

Could "former MPs" please stop criticising their successors, who are coping admirably under very different and much much more difficult circumstances, akin to a world war? Charles Hadfield, Glendowie.

James Shaw wouldn't go to Wellington to govern over New Zealand but he's quite happy to travel to the other side of the world for a conference on climate change. Brian Henman, Algies Bay.

Poor James Shaw. What has he done to deserve being sent to Glasgow? In November? John Samson, Glendene.

Blessed are the climate activists and peacemakers, because they will inherit plenty of Frequent Flier points. Craig Lock, Gisborne.

Is Covid a natural reset of the planet, as it may be assumed the Spanish flu might have been, nigh on one hundred years past? John Ford, Taradale.

All those now on Level 2 should be happy and stop complaining. We in Auckland are not "happy" as we know it will happen again and again. This is not our choice. Warren New, Blockhouse Bay.

No drug, no job. No jab, no job. Stuart Mackenzie, Ōhura.

Will Seymour now object to Fisher & Paykel Healthcare discriminating in favour of vaccinating their own staff and their families? Michael Smythe, Northcote Pt.

Commandeer all the Mr Whippy vans, change the tune to Ring-a-Ring-a-Rosy and in the evenings drive round the streets in low-vaccinated areas. Bernard Jennings, Wellington.