Letters: Better rail route needed to Rotorua

Rail journey times could be addressed by building a new faster rail route, writes a reader. Photo/File

The recently announced proposals by various political parties for a new rail passenger service between Auckland and Tauranga and the issues raised with capacity on this busy rail route, highlight the need for attention.

The Minister of Transport is incorrect in his claims that train travel times are 4.5 hours from Auckland to Tauranga - this was the journey time to Rotorua by rail - Tauranga only takes 3.5 hours.

Rail journey times to Tauranga and Rotorua from Auckland and the capacity issue with freight on this route could both be addressed by building a new faster rail route between Pokeno-Paeroa-Te Aroha and the Kaimai Tunnel along this already half-constructed route, along with electrification and building a new line along a better route between Kinleith-Rotorua-Taupo.

ISAAC BROOME
Pukekohe

Maori option
Language is not important; it matters very little whether we all speak one or two or many languages, what matters is the words we use.

I love and speak Welsh, Latin, a little German, French, and Spanish - were I a younger man I would learn Maori because it is a beautiful tongue, but I would hesitate at enforcing the learning of this or any language.

There is too much else that should be taught in schools - the proper use of English for a start!

Children should be taught how to behave, how to communicate other than by cellphone, and how to fix things that are broken; they should also be taught fundamental survival skills.

By all means, make Maori optional, but never compulsory, that would be a grave error, many school students are struggling to learn English - those from overseas.

To add Maori would be very silly.

JIM ADAMS
Rotorua