Jobless fallacy
One factor that impedes our economic progress is the repeated, rarely challenged claim unemployment numbers are at "record low levels". In recent years, long-term jobless numbers, i.e. those unemployed in excess of 12 months, have doubled and those not seeking work oddly discarded from statistics.
Farmers and horticulturists are in despair, unable to secure adequate labour, transport operators desperate to secure drivers, and the demand for labour is widespread, while thousands remain idle, many able-bodied.
The anomaly must be addressed if we are to raise productivity levels and ensure the nation's prosperity.
P.J.Edmondson, Tauranga.
Road ad flawed
Preoccupation with speed seems to have blinded the makers of the "Safer Speeds" campaign to other basic road sense. The latest advert has adults calling out to kids on the opposite side of a busy road. That's a no-no, given children can instinctively dart across the road to get to their parents. Who scrutinises these ads?
Petrus van der Schaaf, Te Ārai Point.
Blame Govt, not nurses
Claire Trevett's otherwise insightful analysis of issues facing beleaguered Health Minister Andrew Little contains one glaring error. She seems to suggest that the failure to sign the nurses' pay equity agreement lies with the nurses' union rather than the minister. Nothing could be further from the truth.
The nurses have been badly let down by a minister who has failed to keep his side of the bargain and who then had the temerity to blame the nurses' union.
This is shameful and nothing short of a dereliction of duty. It is scarcely believable that this is occurring under a Labour Government which should be focused on protecting hardworking, underpaid nurses' rights, rather than leaving them hanging out to dry.
William Black, Remuera.
Ally's foot in Luxon's mouth
It's disappointing to see Christopher Luxon's recent slump in the polls after the Roe/Wade issue, but not unexpected. Party leaders with known religious baggage are a hard sell and with Luxon being notable for nothing notable during his time in Air NZ's big seat, those wanting a change of Government at a time ripe for change are being served disappointment after disappointment.
It's unfortunate that he appears to regularly position his foot perilously close to his mouth, but to (apparently) overlook the possibility (probability) of one of his similarly "religiously baggaged" team putting "their" Roe/Wade foot in his mouth was inexcusable.
D B Smith, Napier.
School work hours
Dr Ellen Nelson's advocacy for work hours to be better aligned with school hours makes great sense, except for one group. Under the model she proposes, teachers will need to provide the services she seeks, while their own children also attend school. On the face of it, this should work.
However, the planning and administrative requirements teachers are required to deliver almost exclusively occur before or more commonly after the teaching day has ended, frequently extending into the evening and weekends.
Perhaps Nelson has an answer to this. I would love to hear it, as would the teachers working so hard in our schools.
David Tennent (retired principal), Wattle Downs.
Editorials trustworthy
I find NZ Herald editorials provide the most balanced, informative, and trustworthy commentaries — across all forms of media — on events and issues of concern.
On the world-wide Omicron surge ("Eyes wide shut to Omicron", NZ Herald, July 13) we are presented with keenly observed, comprehensive analysis of the perversity of human behaviour, in relation to how the world is dealing with the pandemic, and how NZ measures up in this on-going battle against all the emerging Covid variants.
It notes that, in NZ, the opinion exists that the prevalence of the virus "proves our lockdowns and precautionary measures were futile".
It counters this opinion and supports all those measures as having been necessary to buy time for us all, to "stave off" community transmissions, and to roll out vaccinations across the country.
However, I believe it should have also included they resulted in the lowest Covid deaths of any country in the world. This is surely their greatest achievement. And ours.
The piece ends with "The world has closed its eyes to an all-present danger, and opened up defences to the full brunt of a pandemic. What a strange world indeed."
The latest editorial on this subject (Weekend Herald, July 16) continues this measured and valuable discourse — and also continues to contrast markedly with the more partisan opinions expressed constantly by regular columnists in other sections of the newspaper.
Intended to misinform, and undermine confidence in the Government, they also create considerable anxiety throughout your readership.
I recommend your editorials as a most reliable source of information, as opposed to these other opinion providers.
Clyde Scott, Birkenhead.
Short & sweet
On rugby
My ancestors left Armagh in the 1600s. Today I am proud to be Irish! Alan McArdle, Glen Eden.
As the Irish rugby team did a victory lap after their historic series win, the empty seats were mute testimony to the level of many NZ rugby supporters' sportsmanship when their team lost. John Capener, Kawerau.
The ABs need to change their game plan. Opponents now know how to beat them. Tiong Ang, Mt Roskill.
The All Blacks coaching team should resign. Not because we are getting beaten, but because we have not changed our game. Glenn Forsyth, Taupō.
On house values
The deliberately manufactured oversupply of houses in Auckland is bound to trigger the most dramatic fall in house values in New Zealand's history. Gary Hollis, Mellons Bay.
On Luxon
Fran O'Sullivan's piece in the Herald on Sunday highlights a National Party problem — Christopher Luxon. Who would want an apprentice politician as Prime Minister? Clive Britton, Hobsonville.
On Robbie
Former Auckland mayor Robbie [Sir Dove-Myer Robinson] was a little wacky at times. But he's remembered fondly as a mayor who got things done. Colin Nicholls, Mt Eden.
The Premium Debate
Chris Rattue: Time's up for Ian Foster
Clean out the coaching staff, captain and some players. But why stop there? Get among the old boys' club — a good cleanout at board level. Alan M.
Too late to change the coach. Let's get through to the World Cup. Gary R.
Rubbish, Gary! If we limp on against South Africa and Argentina with Foster running things till the World Cup, it's curtains. Bring in the new coaching team this week and watch the changes happen. David F.
It is not just Foster who needs to go; it's also those assistants he appointed — Plumtree, McLeod, Feek , Mooar. Give the new coach a clean slate before the team heads to South Africa. Nothing like a trip away to develop commitment, passion and unity. Malcolm D.
Silver Lake does not back losers; the NZR will need to move quickly. Time to see who has a backbone. Craig K.
Rattue is right. The union will close ranks rather than admit they made a mistake. If they are going to replace him it needs to happen very soon. Facing South Africa could get even uglier. Ross W.
Leon MacDonald taking a severely underperforming Blues team to a title last year, and a runner-up position this year after dominating a round-robin competition is a better choice than someone who inherited a team of champions and babysat them to titles. Ray S.
