A reader says the speed limit should be dropped to reduce the carnage on the nation's roads. Photo/File.
A reader says the speed limit should be dropped to reduce the carnage on the nation's roads. Photo/File.
Let's make a real effort to reduce the carnage on our roads with a simple rule change.
Reduce the open road speed limit to 90km/h and to 100km/h where it is now 110km/h.
Strictly enforce these limits - with some leniency given when overtaking. Most New Zealand roads were neverdesigned for 100km, and of course, there is an ever-increasing number of vehicles using these roads.
I have met overseas visitors who can't believe and were shocked by the present open road speed limit. (Abridged)
Walking on to Larcy Rd reserve recently I noticed the Rotorua Lakes Council had updated the signage reminding dog owners to pick up their dog's poo, however, the sign features a glaring spelling error where 'poo' was printed as "pooh", which while amusing, highlights a missed opportunity for more te reo in our city.
A reader noticed this spelling mistake on a sign. Photo/Supplied.
Council made a big song and kanikani (dance) in 2017 when they made a commitment to become New Zealand's first bilingual city, but the lack of te reo on these new signs highlight what little effort they've made since.
The Te Puni Kokiri Māori-English Bilingual Signage guide explains that signage featuring familiar symbols provides an easy opportunity to introduce people to new Māori words.
New signage doesn't come cheap, RLC is missing an easy, cost-effective opportunity to show their commitment to becoming a bilingual city by not printing te reo translations as new signs are installed.
While A. A. Milne, creator of Winnie-the-Pooh, may have been excited to see their lovable character on Rotorua signs, wouldn't it have been better to have Māori word for poo, "tūtae" or the Māori word for dog, kurī featured? The council must do better.
Ryan Gray Rotorua
Unborn child
I wholeheartedly support Don Brebner (Daily Post, April 3) in his questioning of this Government's push to discriminate against unborn children by taking their lives in the womb.
We all saw the tragic events in Christchurch and were rightly appalled that this kind of action could happen in New Zealand, and we sympathise with and pray for the targeted Muslim community.
That Friday 50 innocent people lost their lives in circumstances beyond our control. That same day roughly 33 unborn children lost their lives in what should have been the safest place they would ever experience and this was in circumstances that we can control!
A nation that cannot offer the youngest, most vulnerable of its citizens protection is a nation poised on the brink of judgement.
John Williams Ngongotaha
Closures are unnecessary
I don't see the point of closing the gorges in the Kaituna River (News, March 27). There have been more deaths on lakes and beaches than on the Kaituna, so why don't you close them?
Yes, beginners can access the gorges, but beginner mountain bikers can access advanced tracks. What's the difference. Two deaths in 12 years do not compare to the number of deaths on the road and other adventure sports.
The gorges are some of the most beautiful places in New Zealand so closing it is cutting off the opportunity for kayakers to experience that. It is an unnecessary loss.
Zane Phipps Rotorua
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