As if inspired by the Wiltshire sheep who shed their wool as the temperature rises, Bill English went on National Radio this week and shed his previous position on a number of contentious issues, one of which being marriage equality. In his 27 years in Parliament, English has taken every opportunity to vote against marriage equality, but he's now changed his mind, saying he'd vote differently on the matter today.
Later in the week English also changed his mind on an increase to Paid Parental Leave (PPL). In 2002 English and the National Party labelled PPL as "70s feminism gone mad", and as recently as last year English used his veto power to shut down a majority of Parliament who supported Labour's bill which would have seen an increase to PPL. Yet this week, he announced an increase to PPL.
Although these changes are welcome, it's impossible to see them as anything more than political posturing.
New Zealand needs a visionary leader who makes the best decision first and leads the country forward, not one who moves with the flock.
RYAN GRAY
Rotorua
Perhaps Mr Adams should consider running for mayor next time (Letters, August 31) - our city obviously needs more candidates like him.
Jim could run on the platform of renegotiating the Treaty and higher penalties for minor offences. I know at least two people (myself included) who would support him.
MIKE BYRNE
Rotorua
Jim Adams (Letters, August 31) has some very mixed up ideas.
I did not claim that the Treaty was "immaculate in style and prose". I said it was written in plain words and accurately translated, as acknowledged by Ngapuhi chief Graham Rankin. That it was understood by the chiefs at Waitangi on the day is verified by their own words, which were recorded by Colenso and checked by Busby. That there was any "meaning behind the words" is Mr Adams' own fantasy.
As the tribes had killed about a third of their own people in almost ceaseless inter-tribal warfare in the preceding few decades, his notion that there was any "Maori nation" is another fantasy in my view.
In my view the Waitangi Tribunal (albeit not a court of law) has twisted the Treaty's meaning beyond recognition and many millions of our money have already been paid out by a compliant government to tribal complainants.
BRUCE MOON
Nelson
