Learning by example
There is a strange irony in seeing teachers and some principals refusing the Covid-19 vaccination because they believe that this could compromise their freedom of choice.
I am assuming that this philosophy of freedom of choice extends to others, in particular, their students. For example, at the end
of the lunch break, they would find it acceptable for their students and staff to exercise free choice, and remain in the playground with their friends. And, in the classroom, that students could refuse to engage in certain areas of learning such as maths or social science because they wish to choose what they "put in their minds" or because they disagree with the tenets of that area of learning.
As a teacher for the past 60 years, I discovered quite early in my career that the most powerful tool in a teacher's repertoire apart from competence in teaching "subjects" was showing, by example, in and out of the classroom the attitudes and behaviours that contribute to making the world a peaceful, productive, co-operative place.
I should have thought that having the vaccine was one way that teachers could help to make their classroom and community a safe, peaceful environment.
Claire Ferguson, Blockhouse Bay.
Holding pattern
Richard Prebble's expose (NZ Herald, November 10) is a revelation. It is a scandal that 3500 prisoners are on remand. We should immediately release at least 1000 of them.
A formula based on probable penalty/months in remand would be quite easy to calculate. Two provisos should apply. Fully vaccinated and with an approved home to go to.
To prevent the numbers growing again maybe we could consider paying Judges a bonus to spend more hours in court. Twenty per week should be the base level.
Murray Reid, Cambridge.
Individual contributions
Siegfried Jordan (NZ Herald, November 10) makes an excellent point when he suggests that we all need to change our habits, as communities and individuals, to mitigate the effects of climate change. Glaswegians are being asked to contribute by suggesting improvements to their city; such as spaces that could be car-free and the establishment of small urban forests. Our council could do the same. For a start we needn't mow as extensively as we do.
On an individual level, every family could brainstorm on how to minimise its carbon footprint by a third. It could be as simple as using less power and less water and buying locally-produced seasonal food. If the farmers are being required to cut their herds by a third, urban dwellers could match that.
New Zealand could then fulfill its obligations to climate accord without it being a big drama or pointing fingers and using evasive statistical number crunching.
Wendy Pettersen, Devonport.
Altared states
In his efforts to appease the gods of climate change, it appears our high priest James Shaw and his COP26 false prophets are willing to sacrifice even our world's food supplies.
Unable to reach for carbon, the low-hanging fruit of methane makes for such easy pickings. Their grapes of beef, dairy and rice agriculture are to be plucked squeezed, crushed and the blood poured out on the altar of the god of climate to appease her perceived coming wrath.
As poor people starve to death, the smoke of coal, clouds of diesel and fumes of petrol continue to pollute our air and darken the light of the Sun, revelation and reason.
The God of Creation laughs as mankind exposes his inherent selfishness.
Dave Stanton, Geraldine.
Ill-thought density
As a property professional, and someone developing four townhouses of three levels, but in the appropriate Terrace Housing Apartment zone, I feel the medium density residential standards (MDRS ) is nonsense.
The Unitary plan has evolved over eight years and is not yet fully operative. The MDRS proposal basically throws much of this plan out the window.
I believe National was foolish to be a party to this, they will only be left with themselves to blame. Understandably councils are unhappy with both their water resource and development controls being taken from them abruptly with little "consultation".
The Unitary plan already radically changed zoning – where most properties on say 675sq m could have 1 house plus a minor unit, now they can have up to five units in the most common mixed housing suburban zone.
This proposal also has the effect of devaluing properties in the previously more intensive zones, which buyers have paid large premiums for. It may increase the value of other previously lower-density zoned properties in the short term, but over time will decrease the amenity of these areas.
Rene Mclean, Howick.
