However, there is no doubt that we owe it to our grandchildren to at least try to return Kiwi society to its rightful place, of which we can all be proud.
The road ahead may well be long, slow, rocky and winding but at the very least we can all look forward to the much-vaunted opening of the City Rail Link to assist in sorting out all of our economic, financial, transportation, housing and social woes.
Bruce Tubb, Ngataringa Bay.
Dangers of online radicalisation
I read with amazement and anger that a Pukekohe man caught with disturbing and violent Isis material has been granted name suppression.
He had videos proclaiming Isis would destroy Jews, pagans, Christians, Buddhists and Hindus. We cannot forget how quickly people can be radicalised online.
If he is not a New Zealand citizen, he should be sent home.
A charge with a 10-year maximum sentence ended up having a starting point of three years, but Judge Webby decided to give him an additional 45% discount!
This person only pleaded guilty after he was caught with this material.
Judge Webby imposed a final sentence of 24 months’ intensive supervision. Do we not remember the person under supervision who attacked the people in the supermarket? Will our over-stressed police have to follow him around?
Stephen Lupton, Manurewa.
Ode to a surprise takahē chick
Two takahē at Zealandia in Wellington, thought to be a non-breeding pair, have produced a chick – just before Christmas.
Bendigo and Waitaa, a non-breeding takahē pair
Have some exceptionally exciting news to share
A gorgeous chick they recently hatched
Causing great delight hitherto unmatched
Zealandia staff are completely over the moon
To this wildlife sanctuary it’s a massive boon
That predator-proof fence is working a treat
Congrats to all on that truly amazing feat
Be patient though if you wish to take a peek:
Sometime next year – not this coming week
NZ has 500 or so of these living treasures
Thanks to dedicated conservation measures.
David Hopkins, Remuera.
Energy warning well worth reading
Thanks for the great piece in the Herald written by Will Goodwin (Dec 23) about our energy problems and our current complete lack of foresight. Once again – it feels so dreary to be saying this – the problem is in large part an infrastructure issue, an unwillingness to spend for future generations, endangering our children, our grandchildren, our world, our environment and, not least, our economy.
There was such clarity in Goodwin’s explanations. I hope everyone, including the politicians, has the chance to read it. It so deserves to be widely read.
Penelope Hansen, Remuera.
What has the UN achieved?
Winston Peters says the United Nations is nearly bankrupt because member countries aren’t paying their contributions.
In all honesty, what does the world get from the billions of dollars spent on the UN?
Can the UN stop wars? Answer, no.
Wasn’t that what it was set up to do?
What has the UN been able to do in stopping the war between Russia and Ukraine?
Has the UN been able to influence Israel’s actions in Gaza?
The only people who benefit from the UN are all the grossly overpaid staff and the caterers who cater for all their endless non-productive meetings.
The world needs to sit down and reset as the UN is no longer fit for purpose. That’s if it ever was.
In reality, what has it achieved other than building a huge bureaucracy?
Jock Mac Vicar, Hauraki.
Congratulations on India FTA
My heartiest congratulations to Messrs Luxon and McClay on the free trade agreement with India. I had the pleasure of doing business in India for five years and always wondered when eating my tea and toast at breakfast why the butter I was using came from France! This is a major achievement for this Government and one that we should all be well proud of. I fail to see why Winston sees otherwise.
Yes, there may be some fine print to be sorted, but by and large this could well prove to be a defining moment in New Zealand exports – not one for disparagement. Having also worked at the coalface in an export environment, I know just how difficult it is to get New Zealand front, forward and accepted. Well done.
Ian Nott, Chatswood.