Haves and can-dos
Do we really want to focus on rich people in granting visas to New Zealand?
The great success of America as a nation was that it attracted hard-working, ordinary people who brought not money but a personal commitment of their labour and ingenuity to make their living in the
new country.
If we started to dole out privileges to New Zealanders based on their wealth - the more money you have, the more we like you - people would, rightly, frown upon it.
Why would we treat foreigners with wealth according to a formula that looks undemocratic and discriminatory for New Zealanders?
Better to welcome good, honest people who commit to be self-sustaining through their good labour.
We need to be wary that we don't exacerbate income and wealth gaps, which are already increasing at a frightening pace.
Frank Olsson, Freemans Bay.
What's to fix?
There are calls to use this opportunity of succession to reform NZ's constitutional arrangements. There are plenty of alternatives to consider: a republic like Trump's? A dictatorship like Putin's? What about a theocracy as in Afghanistan, or a one-party communist state like China's? Or army rule as in Myanmar?
Be careful what you wish for.
Democratic, constitutional monarchies such as ours and those in Northern Europe are envied and amongst the most stable governments in the world.
One hears calls for an illusory "independence". Think independently by all means but recognise that NZ is probably the least independent country in the Western world. NZ relies totally on the goodwill of overseas trading partners for our standard of living and on our overseas allies for defence. These interdependent relationships are to be nurtured.
Is it really necessary to try to fix something that ain't broke?
Derek Smith, Newmarket.
Royal spell
My guess is that my impression of the monarchy has been similar to many Kiwis. I have always been somewhat sceptical.
All my life, I've held respect for the late Queen. I cannot say the same for some members of her family. I wish Charles well but I wouldn't have selected him if I was a member of the interview panel.
But when it comes to staging an event, the Brits and the monarchy have the rest of the world beaten as we have seen the past number of days. Perfection plus.
One small matter I observed while I watched the funeral coverage. Joe Biden and his wife arrived late at Westminster Abbey, I think of the opinion to walk straight in. No way mate, you wait over here while the VC holders parade in.
My scepticism changed slightly when I listened to Patrick Gower signing off from his coverage in London. He admitted he too was sceptical when given the job of presenting from London but I now have a new phrase, thanks to Paddy: "The magic of the monarchy."
Charlie Deam, Waiheke Island.
Partisan lines
The letters on a possible Covid inquiry make it clear that those who like Jacinda Ardern, and support Labour, don't want an inquiry, and those who don't like Ardern, and support National and Act, do want one.
Regardless of who we like and how we vote, we should all want to know if our response to the next pandemic should be the same as the last one, or if it could be improved.
Only an independent inquiry can tell us.
Chris Elias, Mission Bay.
Same here
Grant Robertson seems very keen on having the details of National's independent inquiry into Sam Uffindell made public.
Many New Zealanders are equally keen to hear the results of Labour's independent
inquiry into Gaurav Sharma's accusations of "bullying" within the Labour Party.
Could Robertson please advise the New Zealand public when the results of this extremely important independent inquiry are likely to be available?
Philip Lenton, Somerville.
