Letters: Plastic waste starts with manufacturers

I resent the way that we humble consumers appear to be bearing the blame for the plastic waste problem.

Most of what I purchase at the supermarket is encased in plastic.

I have never asked for this, in fact, the thick encasing about some products is a painful nuisance, requiring a knife or scissors to remove the article - biscuits, cleaning products, even magazines which are posted are covered in plastic.

The list is endless.

So, could we please begin laying the blame on manufacturers where it all begins.
A N Christie
Rotorua

Council spending

Over the past couple of weeks, there have been two announcements from Rotorua Lakes Council about spending between $200,000 and $250,000

$250,000 is set aside for the refresh of Hamurana Lakefront.

Hamurana Lakefront is a particularly wonderful piece of reserve, with 270-degree views across the lake, bird life and many a charming waterway.

It's awesome to see that Ngāti Rangiwewehi will be providing input into the refresh to enable stories to be told from their iwi. I'm sure that many will take delight in learning about Hamurana. The refresh is overdue and is money well spent.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, we recently learnt that the council has spent $237,000 over a couple of years on legal fees responding to information requests, solely due to the actions of one person.

Perhaps if our local "champion of democracy" saw it as money well spent then he could repay the Rotorua ratepayers from his own pocket?

Money spent on public reserves? Or money required to be spent on dealing with one man?

I know where I'd rather public funds be spent.
[Abridged]
Ryan Gray
Rotorua

Police pursuits

I can't begin to know how it feels to lose a child. I am fortunate that mine have survived well into adulthood.

In saying that, I have to wonder what role parental responsibility (or lack of) plays in the number of unfortunate and unnecessary deaths in police chases?

The police are tasked with the onerous responsibility of keeping the majority of us safe from those who choose to flout the law. Sometimes it has disastrous consequences.

The law is quite clear. If you drive a stolen car you are committing a crime. If you drive unlicensed you are committing a crime.

Instead of berating the police for doing the job we demand of them, perhaps it is time to reiterate, over and over, the possible consequences of rash behaviour - especially at speed.

[Abridged]
Rosemary MacKenzie
Rotorua