Fiona Edgar, Henderson.
Rail review
The massive final cost of the Auckland CRL to circa $5.5 billion (from original estimates starting at $2.4b) has been signalled for a number of years and should not come as a surprise.
Given the cost increases have been well vented in the public arena throughout the course of this major project, started in 2016, it begs the question why Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop has commissioned a full review.
The outcome of this enquiry will simply reinforce the fact that New Zealand suffers from the same problems as the rest of the world when it comes to large infrastructure projects spanning many years. Scope changes, inflation, global supply disruptions and multiple unforeseen problems are the norm.
Politics aside, and given the “horse has already bolted”, perhaps Bishop should explain to the tax/ratepayer what he hopes to achieve from his review.
Learnings from the past are important but if his report answers why does history repeat when it relates to infrastructure blowouts, that will be great.
Bruce Eliott, Singapore.
Dog shelter abuse
Rachel Kelleher’s article highlighted the misinformation being published in social media with regard to how Animal Management treats animals.
As discussed, some have to be put to sleep, usually because they are aggressive.
The shelters are overrun with mistreated and abandoned dogs. The latest SPCA newsletter included the announcement that $500,000 has been provided from Brooke Van Velden’s Lottery Minister’s Discretionary Fund to deliver a 12-month dog desexing programme across Auckland and Northland from April 1, 2026. Although not a fan of Brooke normally, thank you!
Angela O’Shea, Hillcrest.
Council amalgamation
David Hallett cannot wait to amalgamate the Tauranga area councils, but be careful what you wish for.
Mt Maunganui used to be a standalone council. It had its own sewerage works and infrastructure and maintenance was first class. It was the only council in New Zealand with no debt. When it was forced to amalgamate with Tauranga in 1989 of course that meant instant debt and very high rates that now subsidise its infrastructure.
The same happened in Auckland, where the more frugal lower-rated suburbs are now propping up the Flash Harrys.
Geoff Leckie, Flatbush.
Too much of a Givealittle thing?
Of course, everyone is free to donate to a Givealittle or GoFundMe page when someone falls on hard times, and the generosity shown by New Zealanders is often admirable.
However, I sometimes wonder whether we are reaching a point where crowdfunding has become the automatic response to almost any financial difficulty, even for some individuals who may previously have enjoyed very successful careers or lifestyles.
I appreciate there will be many who say, “If you don’t want to donate, simply don’t,” and that’s perfectly fair. But with the growing flood of fundraising requests appearing almost daily, perhaps it is reasonable to at least ask whether some form of guidelines or greater discretion should apply before every personal hardship is turned into a public appeal for money.
That debate may be uncomfortable, but it is one worth having.
Alan Walker, St Heliers.
Grand coalition
It was good to see Matthew Hooton shrug off his right-leaning rhetoric to suggest a grand coalition of the National and Labour parties. A good idea, when I studied politics these were called “catch all parties”. I’m not sure that it could realistically happen, though; the ideal situation might actually be “benevolent dictatorship”, something like Lee Quan Yew in Singapore or Miguel Primo de Rivera (who famously only owned one suit).
Hamish Walsh, Devonport
‘Shame’ on AT
How appalling the bus driver didn’t show any compassion for the 79-year-old woman who was kicked off the bus and had no choice but to walk the one-hour journey home, carrying shopping bags. The bus should have a sign, “This bus journey ends at Laingholm beach”, so people would know to make alternative transport if able.
It would be nice if AT provided a taxi voucher so bus passengers like her can complete the rest of their journey, especially if it’s a long distance. How would you feel if that was your elderly mother in this situation? If I lived in her area and was driving around in my car, I would have taken her home myself seeing her upset like that.
Shame on you AT transport. Shame.
Helen Loo, Totaravale.
Media and democracy
The Act Party attack on publicly owned media is a symptom of the deep flaws in our democracy. With the implicit support of his coalition partners, David Seymour is openly attacking RNZ and TVNZ. At the same time, Paul Goldsmith has announced the abolition of the Broadcasting Standards Authority.
This is alarming, disgraceful and echoes the US media landscape, which has delivered their current political chaos. Attacking media and preventing public access to authentic and trustworthy news is not OK.
Why are we heading down this dangerous path?
One explanation is the fact that fringe parties, like Act and NZ First, are lavishly funded by very few supporters, wealthy people whose main aim is protect their wealth. This is not how democracy is meant to work. We need representatives who will listen to the public, not ride roughshod over their stated wishes, the wellbeing of the majority.
Putting a limit on all political donations would be a good start. If we allow the current situation to continue, we will end up with the corrupt system which has wrecked democracy in the US. Another alarming trend is the plan to reduce local democracy by amalgamating councils. Apparently it’s to save money.
We currently have the cheapest democracy in the OECD. Representation per head of population is already inadequate. The Super City has reduced the involvement of local citizens, when we actually need more. We only need to look across the Tasman. Melbourne, a city of comparable size to Auckland, has 31 local councils. Auckland has just one. Small councils know their communities and create better social cohesion through localism.
Research has also shown that small councils are more cost effective than large ones, as they make fewer expensive mistakes, being in closer contact with the people they represent.
Vivien Fergusson, Mt Eden.
A quick word
Sir David Attenborough was always going to hit the century mark, an absolute legend. Pity greedy global corporations have not heeded all his advice over those years.
Glenn Forsyth, Taupō.
Several times this week, while reading online the latest pronouncements from David Seymour, an ad appeared for a well-known antacid – the packaging is largely the same colour as used by the Act Party. Perhaps this is subliminal messaging, suggesting the product can help people stomach Act’s election policies.
Matt Elliott, Birkdale.
TVNZ has been ordered to apologise by the Broadcasting Standards Authority.The irony being the authority is to be abolished and self-regulation by the media industry will take place.
Deborah Railey, Royal Oak.
Matthew Hooton’s idea of a “Grand coalition” needs further discussion. National and Labour’s policies aren’t too dissimilar and New Zealand could really thrive if the brightest minds from both parties joined forces.
Glen Stanton, Mairangi Bay.
If Winston Peters thinks he will be Prime Minister or share the PM job after the next election, he’s dreaming. Or he is spending too much time in front of his mirror.
Gary Carter, Gulf Harbour.