It is so easy to take it all for granted or to focus only on what is missing or needs fixing. What Whanganui is already doing but needs to do more is a consistently positive and pro-active approach to seize the moment and build on it. Most importantly, let's all work together to make it happen. Then everyone will benefit.
And, in the meantime, enjoy the peace and quiet while it lasts, before the rest of the world discovers this very special gem in New Zealand's crown.
HEINA PETZOLD and EVA BUSCH
Professional artists, Awa Art Hub
Give us a break
Remember Kiwi ingenuity and Number 8 wire? We had a practical way of solving problems. New Zealand was proud of this skill.
Has it been lost in the relentless drive by our schools to send students to University?
In fact, while parts of New Zealand now lack teachers because of unbalanced migration, we have some great ones here, like Wanganui Collegiate, where excellence has always been the goal. This goes beyond student loans, which are income tested. Universities are "theory" based, while UCOL teaches "practical" skills. Diplomas are equivalent to university degrees. UCOL prepares people for work on day one.
Are our schools pushing our young people to university because it is good for their statistics? Choice should be based on the student's interests and abilities and a rethink is now urgent in the field of career advice.
It's too easy for governments to look overseas to fill vacancies. They won't even have a cultural understanding.
For 80 per cent of the population, practical and not theory skills are a job key.
We need females as well as males, Maori and Pasifika, in trades training to fill the jobs, not the jails. Maybe even for meat processing.
Study in Wanganui is cheaper than in Auckland.
We offer a lifestyle experience, a quality of life, beyond mere cost of living.
The mountain to the sea, to the sky! Breathe the difference.
Come on, you politicians, give us a break.
KEN CRAFAR
Durie Hill
Where was law?
The basic functions of government are: 1) A police force; 2) A defence force; 3) A judicial system.
If these three basic functions are honoured we should be in a safe, law-abiding society.
The protest at the petroleum conference demonstrated what can only be described as a frightening confrontation.
If 10 citizens in Hawera blocked right-of-way in a public area and prevented law-abiding people from entering their workplace, they would be arrested and dealt with.
Two hundred people breaking the law and only two arrests shows a complete lack of a serious approach to law enforcement.
This is not in the too-hard basket. Film the proceedings and construct a good case for court.
Arrest 200 people, bring in the army and transport them to Waiouru. Process them through the courts, 20 per day.
Those arrested will complain of being harshly treated. Very simple: Behave like an animal and be treated like an animal. And those arrested will complain about living in a police state.
You want to protest? Fine, go to mainland China and protest -- and experience the true meaning of a police state.
I have heard police officers say that they get some real heavy attitude from people over 60. Allowing what can only be described as a state of anarchy to exist while prosecuting a 65-year-old for travelling at 110 km/h certainly does wind up the over-60s.
The caption under the photograph in a daily paper could have read "Get a haircut and get a job".
GEOFF FURBOROUGH
Hawera
