Letters to the editor: Hamurana speed limit reduction worth it

It's worth reducing the speed limit if it will save lives, a reaeder says. Photo / file

Speed limit reduction worth it

Is it just me that thinks the reduction of the speed limit in Hamurana is nothing to worry about?

The section that is 60km/h is 3.1km, and since it has been at 60km/h I have watched the cars ahead continue at 60+.

Clearly, those who think it is too slow can't spare the 24 seconds longer it takes to do the 3.1km at 60 instead of 70.

Maybe they could consider that there is a lakefront reserve where there are often children and they can lack an appreciation of traffic.

I'll happily give up that 24 seconds every day if it saves one child from injury.

Ian Guy
Hamurana

Stewart Island visitor levy disturbing

I am somewhat disturbed that as a New Zealander I am obliged to pay a visitor levy to visit a part of New Zealand called Stewart Island or Rakiura.

Originally the fee was set at $5 and the council concerned is now in the process of increasing this to $15.

While the amount is not insurmountable I do wonder about the legitimacy of such a charge.

I understand there are only 400 or so ratepayers and the cost of services and infrastructure ever increases.

These costs should be shared by ratepayers, central government and a modest charge on foreign visitors.

Perhaps as a North Islander, I am considered to be a foreigner?

I would have thought that it is a sovereign right by any citizen to visit any part of the public domain of New Zealand unimpeded by any fee or charge.

I would estimate that several councils in various parts of provincial New Zealand would also like to implement these sort of charges but are not in the enviable position of being able to easily collar every visitor arriving as the only method is by single point air or sea.

Michael Maher
Rotorua

Temperature reading

Who would like to see the true Rotorua City temperature displayed on TV news each evening?

I have looked into this and the reading done at the airport, with all the wind from the lake, does not give a true city reading, so I contacted the mayor, who in turn told me I needed to contact Niwa.

I did just that and had a very informative reply, saying the gauge at the airport is primarily for aviation purposes.

However, Niwa said they "would be happy to consider installing an additional weather station in the city to provide a city temperature reading for the TV weather, but would need assistance from the city council for funding for its installation and maintenance, and in providing an appropriate site for the equipment".

I thought perhaps on the council building would be a good place.

They told me I could forward their reply to the mayor, which I did, but have had no reply.

Also gave a copy to Raj Kumar, our local councillor, who was all for it and said he would back the idea.

I think this would be a great addition to Rotorua as residents and tourists can then see a true reading of our temperature and not one that is always at least 2C lower than it actually is.

Maybe give Tauranga a run for their money.

So - who's for it?

Viv Radley
Rotorua