Letters to the editor: Call for Rotorua Lakefront playground shade 'astounding'

The Rotorua Lakefront playground was officially opened this month. Photo / Laura Smith

I am astounded by the calls to shade the new lakeside adventure play area (News, January 14).

Will parents keep their children away from other healthy experiences in the outdoors where they might encounter some sunshine?

Will they take them to beaches and lakes? Encourage them to play outdoor sports? Encourage them to cycle? Take them hiking? Take them swimming?

Responsible parents should of course take the normal precautions such as sunscreens and hats to protect their children, but I hope we don't use concern about sun exposure to prevent children from enjoying the wonderful outdoor opportunities that make Aotearoa such a great country to grow up in.

Keith Garratt
Rotorua

Vaccine pass checks go smoothly

Working as a volunteer on mountain biking events in Rotorua over the past 20 years has always been a pleasure.

Last weekend, my role at round one of the MTBNZ National Downhill series, hosted by the Rotorua Mountain Bike Club and Descend Rotorua, was checking vaccination passports, an important part of the event protocol.

Everybody, from teens to grandparents, from all over New Zealand/Aotearoa, was friendly and cooperative. Some were proudly boosted and happy that their passports were being checked so the event could run safely.

Time to celebrate folk like this, rather than give more oxygen and headlines to a tiny, but, very loud minority of anti-vaxxers?

Graeme Simpson
Rotorua

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