Lorraine Kidd, Warkworth.
Institutional failures
I read with interest the editorial in Thursday’s Herald regarding the “no ducking and diving” way the Navy is dealing with the sinking of the HMNZS Manawanui. It made reference to and comparison with the handling of the Erebus disaster.
It made me think that there is a disturbing pattern in New Zealand of powerful organisations hanging good people out to dry for their own benefit.
Starting with the treatment of pilot Jim Collins and crew on the ill-fated journey to the Antarctic, and Air New Zealand’s “litany of lies”.
Then the well-documented experience of Louise Nicholas with the New Zealand Police, after which we hoped it would never happen again.
More recently we have the tragedy of Olivia Podmore and her family at the hands of NZ Cycling and the apparent appalling treatment of Dame Noeline Taurua by Netball New Zealand, which brings us to the current saga of Jevon McSkimmimg and a young woman, crying out for help in the only way she knew how, when she had been totally ignored and vilified by the top echelon of New Zealand Police, and who, according to Thursday’s Herald, still has an active charge against her.
And lastly, I hope, don’t forget that bubbling along underneath all of the above, is Gloriavale and the power of the “shepherds” over their flock.
A very sad indictment and one of which we should all be ashamed.
Melanie Corbett, Westmere.
Continued prosecution
If there were ever an appropriate time to send an abusive email, it would be to the cop prosecuting an accuser of one of their own rather than investigating the accusation. Police Commissioner Chambers has the perfect chance to take charge of this disgrace to his service by removing all prosecutions against the woman who has been victimised by his department and offering a full apology. She should be receiving a medal of honour from the police. Not facing further persecution.
Kent Millar, Blockhouse Bay.
McSkimming’s computer
I find it incomprehensible that the Director General of the SIS could not see Deputy Commissioner McSkimming’s misuse of police computer systems as being inconsistent with his top-secret security clearance.
Certainly, information discovered by the SIS cannot be misapplied to unauthorised recipients, but the continued issuance of this top-level clearance appears to be a gross lack of judgment. Is the Director General related to the Duke of Wellington, or just viewing the world through a drinking straw?
Hugh Webb, Hamilton.
Faith in justice system dives further
Sadly, we seem to have developed a group of police officers who are self-entitled, self-absorbed, incredibly arrogant, stupid, corrupt and who clearly consider that they are above the law and that they have learned nothing from the appalling treatment in 1993 of Louise Nicholas in Rotorua?
This group should be dealt with quickly and severely and let the police return their primary focus.
With the former president of the New Zealand Law Society advising to destroy crucial, child abuse files, is it any wonder that Kiwis faith, trust, and respect for our legal system has reached rock bottom and surely cannot go any lower?
Bruce Tubb, Ngataringa Bay.
Department stores
Recent discussion about the current demise of department stores seems to be forgetting that these unfortunate events have been occurring for more than 40 years and probably far longer.
Those which come to mind (no doubt there are others and dates are hard to pin down) are: Haywrights gone in 1982 after a sequence of name changes. Succeeded somewhat by Farmers. George Courts closed in 1988; Milne & Choyce 1992; James Smith 1993; Rendell 2006; Kirkaldies 2016.
The current economic climate is sadly seeing the demise of many businesses, including in retail, but this not a shock, horror, never happened before scenario.
For good product knowledge your correspondent (November 14) could try a visit to Mitre 10. Not an old-fashioned department store but with a very wide variety of goods, garden centres, cafes and helpful, knowledgeable staff throughout!
Judy Lawry, Pukekohe.
Lotto odds
Lotto bosses have already applied to the Government to increase the number of balls in the Powerball draw to make it harder to win and have bigger and bigger jackpots. This weekend’s obscene Powerball jackpot prize makes it obvious that winning Powerball is against all odds and making it even more difficult will only make 99.99% of New Zealanders poorer as they chase a huge prize.
The Lotteries Commission needs to focus on how they can make more New Zealanders win a share of a huge jackpot rather than arguing that more “charities” will benefit from increased profits at the expense of household budgets. The application should be withdrawn.
Graham Fleetwood, Bethlehem.
Education policy
Johnathan Ayling in his single-minded focus on the “enlightenment” above all in education policy, has nothing to say about the imperial imperatives of colonisation. It’s indeed inconvenient to remember, in the rosy glow of intellectual superiority, the shameful historical realities that have unfolded in Aotearoa NZ. Recognising Te Trititi as fundamental in our education policy is a way to resist our colonised nation’s lapses into cultural amnesia.
Janet Charman, Avondale.
NZ Rugby leadership
I have just finished reading Ian Foster’s book Leading Under Pressure. While people will have their own opinions about his coaching ability and results record, surely no one who has read the book could have any doubts whatsoever about how poorly he was treated by NZ Rugby over the latter part of his tenure as All Blacks coach.
In my view, Mark Robinson, NZ Rugby CEO, deserves public humiliation for his personal behaviour over this time. As his own tenure as CEO draws to a close, here’s hoping that no one in the media has the gall to write him up as a successful sports administrator.
Phil Chitty, Albany.
A quick word
Armistice Day was celebrated on Tuesday, November 11. This date marked the end of World War I, when it was agreed that the Allies and Germany would stop fighting on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918. Significantly more servicemen and women from New Zealand died in this conflict than in World War II. Lest we forget.
Bernard Walker, Mt Maunganui.
Police Commissioner Richard Chambers, pulled over for speeding, calls it “dumb” – does he not realise that speeding kills? It’s not “dumb” to speed, it’s one of the main causes of road deaths and injury. I would have hoped the most senior cop would speak of it as a serious offence instead of implying it’s trivial.
Susan Grimsdell, Auckland Central.
For once I have to agree with Luxon when he says the Māori Party are inconsequential. With only 3% of the vote, what can the Māori Party really achieve other than theatrics and outrageous statements? Why is the media giving so much attention to their self-destruction? Is it just a bad news week?
Jock Mac Vicar, Hauraki.
So, we are to believe that Jevon McSkimming underwent a “top Secret Special” clearance and all was good. Pity help us if that is true.
James Archibald, Birkenhead.
I love the Luxon characterisation of asset sales as recycling. Latest figures show only 9% of recyclables is actually put to use. The remaining 91% goes to landfill. Saves looking after them. Off to the tip.
David Kisler, Freemans Bay.
Thank you for the editorial of November 11. As you say, school boards and busy staff may have lots of kindly intentions about Treaty education in general but can fail to actually do anything significant through pressures of different kinds. Human beings usually take the easiest path, and make excuses for avoiding the tougher stuff. As an elderly Pākehā, trying to learn some te reo Māori, I understand the temptation!
Judy Mills, Whangārei.
Another sensible article from Paul Lewis on the All Blacks centre options. Paul’s views are always thoughtful, considered and on the money. The go-to rugby writer in New Zealand currently.
Steve Dransfield, Wellington.