Letters to the editor: Rotorua’s homeless crisis sparks call for Government inquiry

Can anyone explain how and why the country’s homeless and housing crisis came to be disproportionately dumped on Rotorua, asks a reader. Photo / Andrew Warner

Letters to the Editor

As the Fenton St/Whakarewarewa delivery boy for the Rotorua Post circa 1960/63 the circumstances leading to the demise of the once grand boulevard linking the city with the stunning thermal wonderland of Whaka are of real concern to me.

In words of one syllable, can anyone explain how and why the country’s homeless and housing crisis came to be disproportionately dumped on Rotorua?

The reputational damage to the city alone is reason enough for the highest-level independent inquiry and recompense from central government to help revitalise the city rather than relying on the poor ratepayers who have been completely sidewinded.

Recent comments by local leaders on police activities to curb continuing social mayhem caught my eye, in particular the reverse pass response from Te Pāti Māori Party MP Rawiri Waititi blaming everyone but the perpetrators for the ongoing blatant disorder and lawlessness.

I can still hear the booming voice of the matriarchal authoritative Guide Rangi from all those years ago knowing if she was still in our midst she would not only be heard but she would be listened to, and the tourism sector she and her forebears strove so hard to build and nurture would not have been sacrificed in such a callous way.

She would certainly have something to say to Mr Waititi.

Peter Brandley

Auckland

Proud of Rotorua

There is much publicity this week about tourism. I want to write strong praise for Rotorua’s tourist spots, for the media do little to help here. I had out of town visitors, and as a local I don’t often visit special places. I was most impressed.

Everywhere we went we were greeted with professionalism, and extreme courtesy.

Rotorua people were warm and friendly.

I was proud of Rotorua.

A N Christie

Rotorua

Showing backbone

It calls for backbone to stand against the tide of public opinion. For the PM to go to the beach, not that one at Waitangi, enjoy family time or perhaps negotiate the sale of yet another of his houses on that auspicious occasion is a call that shows strength and wisdom rather than weakness.

There is no doubt that Te Tiriti needs to be debated, the current noise around the issue tells us that, but for the PM, there would not be the courtesy of reasoned debate in the current climate.

As leader of the Opposition, Hipkins can wave to the crowds, speak platitudes, exude sympathy to the cause and be feted to the burnishing of his ego without fear of mud or sex toys! But does vote catching lead to a better, more equitable nation?

John Williams

Ngongotahā

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