Letters: Vibrant Mamaku still struggling with loss

Mamaku is in mourning since the deaths of Raymond and James Fleet. Photo/File

Re Silence shrouds a Mamaku mystery (Rotorua Daily Post, September 2). I as many of our Mamaku residents have taken umbrage and are appalled by the insensitive comments about our awesome village [which] labelled us as a derelict ghost town full of sad, lonely people.

Shame on you, we live in a vibrant community, have an amazing school with a covered sports area recently completed. The staff are amazing and the school has an awesome feel to it. Our superette (not dairy) has been run by a beautiful family for decades.

We have an amazing rural fire service, garden circle, drop-in centre at the hall as well as a ratepayers group... the list goes on.

Your comments about shabby derelict houses is very hurtful to many of our residents, some choose to live in house buses, some have fallen on hard times.

You need to have a good look around our wonderful community and you will find people from all walks of life, we are a strong farming district and have many lifestyle blocks as well.

To say these comments as the village and families are struggling with their loss at this sad time is gutter journalism and an apology should be submitted. [Abridged]

PETER BANGS
Mamaku

Lowering speed limit
Re Feedback on roads with set speed limits (Rotorua Daily Post, September 2). Residents of the Waiotapu area have tried for the last 30 years to have the speed limit reduced at the busy Waiotapu intersection where the speed limit still, unbelievably, remains at 100km/h.

We are assuming they mean the State Highway 5 speed limit at the Loop Rd, Waikite Valley, Benny Bee, and the Waiotapu tavern intersection.

It is also interesting that the council is finally looking into it after we've been told all these years that it was nothing to do with the council and was a matter for the LTSA.

We are hoping for a positive outcome in regards to reducing the speed limit in this area.

ROCKY FISKE
Waiotapu