A gang member on a horse flouted the patch ban at the funeral for former Mongrel Mob Barbarian chapter president Angus Benson on Saturday. Photo / Paul Taylor
The toll road system works
Get with it, Kiwis. What’s wrong with paying for something you want to use?
To my knowledge, one of the first toll roads in New Zealand was the Auckland Harbour Bridge, when it opened on May 30, 1959. You paid the person in the toll booth a half crown (about $8.50 in today’s money).
These tolls were removed in 1984. There was a general election that year and as I recall, Robert Muldoon dictatorially removed the tolls in an attempt to save National defeat in some North Shore seats. Then National lost the election.
Had the tolls not been removed and continued today, think of the nest egg that would have accumulated and could now be used for a second harbour crossing.
Hundreds of thousands of Kiwis have travelled internationally and will have travelled on toll roads in many countries. Did anyone complain about paying tolls?
Three examples are autobahns in Germany, the autostradas in Italy and the turnpikes in the USA. Wonderful roads that take you from A to B. There are many others.
The toll system works. In most cases there will be an alternative route to avoid paying a toll, probably a little inconvenient. Think of the Johnstones Hill Tunnels north of Ōrewa and the alternative of winding over the Waiwera Hill. How many motorists travelling north of Pūhoi drive over the Waiwera Hill?
My guess is very few. The toll system works.
John Mead, Greenlane.
Patch ban exception
For far too long, the Mongrel Mob, Black Power and other gangs have terrorised and intimidated people, especially in rural towns throughout New Zealand.
The new law prohibiting the wearing of gang patches seems to be working well and police have evidently made multiple arrests.
I’m guessing the public will feel happier as a result and the police should be applauded for enforcing the law. The coalition Government can take credit too, for living up to their promise of being tough on crime.
However, I personally think there should be an exemption to the law when it comes to tangi.
Perhaps this is one time when gang insignia could be allowed? I’m guessing if these funerals are private functions, the average Joe Bloggs from the public wouldn’t be attending. Or perhaps as a city slicker I am missing something?
Glen Stanton, Mairangi Bay.
Ferry folly
Wouldn’t it be refreshing for Nicola Willis to just say we made a huge mistake and agree to continue with the very good deal on the purchase of the new ferries?
These ferries were well on the way to being built at a very sharp price, fixed when steel prices were low. Cancellation penalties will be huge. Any replacement ferries will cost more.
The real problem lies with the port upgrade, which was obviously needed but will need a new work scope to bring down the cost involved.
Sadly I don’t expect this Government to be brave enough to ever admit to a wrong decision made in haste at a time of the euphoria of an election victory.
Vince West, Milford.
Cancel culture
Nicola Willis made a great Ferrari furore about cancelling the Cook Strait ferries ordered by the previous Government because of the cost.
The fanfare of an announcement last week was a big letdown. The cost was not disclosed – too commercially sensitive, suddenly. The Cook Strait crossing is even more important than a second harbour bridge – at least we have one of those. Instead, New Zealanders are left hanging in the air.
Are we going to be drip-fed the costs, which will probably be more than the cancelled option?
Rosemary Balme, Howick.
Dubious company
President-elect Donald Trump has been named Time magazine’s “2024 Person of the Year” (NZ Herald, December 13).
It’s interesting to note that Time is based in New York and has been making this annual award since 1927. Reaching back into history, some past winners will be an embarrassment to Time and include Joseph Stalin, Adolf Hitler and Vladimir Putin.
On a much more positive note, Franklin D. Roosevelt, a three-time winner of this award, once said “we have always held to the hope, the belief, the conviction that there is a better life, a better world, beyond the horizon”.
For the sake of our troubled world, let’s hope Trump rises to the challenge.
Bruce Eliott, St Heliers.
Weird science
I was somewhat bemused to read Michael Morrah’s article which suggested that Falun Dafa’s inclusion in the Santa Parade should be prohibited because it holds lots of anti-scientific views (Weekend Herald, December 14).
Really? I thought it an excellent and entertaining band in a parade which glorifies a man who supposedly lives in the North Pole with elves and travels faster than the speed of light in a sleigh pulled by flying reindeer, distributing gifts to children worldwide by climbing down chimneys. Scientific?
Dee Parks, Takapuna.