Hamish Walsh, Devonport.
Some good news
It was a pleasure to read the Weekend Herald (Nov 29) for the three very positive stories: the Review piece on Richard Peebles, and, in the Business section, the Waiwera Revival piece and Cecilia Robinson’s column on the phone ban in schools and the resulting improved focus of students.
Could the good news theme please continue?
Brenda Barnes, St Heliers.
Tunnel vision
Having heard the news that the CRL is not going to open until the latter part of 2026, I wish to express my frustration and disappointment with this ongoing project.
With all the hype about its opening, I thought that it would probably open after the December/January shutdown of the rail system. How frustrating that this does not appear to be the case.
One would think that the planning of all the test work would have indicated a time frame for this work, and therefore would be able to predict a handover date.
What makes this situation more disappointing and embarrassing is that the stations still don’t appear to be finished, as their flash monthly video, which I have just received, features drone footage of part of Albert St that does not seem to be finished.
This is outrageous, given the time they have had.
Charlie Potter, Pukekohe.
Building concerns
Following the disastrous apartment fires in Hong Kong last week, I wonder if our building authorities have considered the wisdom of allowing terraced apartments to be built here in such close proximity to each other.
They are being crammed on to former residential single-dwelling sites close to side boundaries and barely two metres apart. The multi-storey units I have seen built to date have no secondary means of fire escape. In the event of a fire, how do firefighters get safely around these dwellings with their hoses to attack the blaze?
One day, the wisdom of allowing this type of construction will be put to the test.
Geoff Radley, Titirangi.
Poluting wars
The latest Ukrainian marine drone attacks on two Russian shadow fleet oil tankers were brutally effective in further strangling the main income source of their opponent.
One drawback for the global community, though, is the towering clouds of burning fossil fuel and sea pollution as the oil spills into the Black Sea.
Wars do ecological damage that far outlive the egos, greed and empire-wish of the belligerents.
Rob Buchanan, Kerikeri.
Current affairs
Last week’s 1News Special You, Me and The Economy was one of the best we have seen for a long while – informative and entertaining. Please, could we have more.
I have often thought that Jack Tame’s talents are wasted, and while the Q&A programme is a fantastic piece of current affairs, who on earth sits down at 9am on a Sunday morning to watch television?
Surely it should be repeated in the evening. We have very few current affairs programmes and they are important.
Alf Weston, Tauranga.
And the environment?
Jack Tame’s TV special on the economy didn’t mention the word environment.
As a famous biologist once said, you can’t eat money!
Paul Judge, Hamilton.
Our unique forests
Just a short walk from our house is a unique pohutukawa tree that has the deepest crimson glory flowers imaginable, set among the darkest of green leaves. Watching several tūī dance between the branches through the black silhouettes was certainly a moving experience and reminded me that New Zealand’s indigenous forest is one of, if not the most unique, forests found anywhere on planet earth.
It should be unlawful for any New Zealander to cut down or destroy any native tree without the authority of a native New Zealander, and in particular a Māori as they appreciate their spiritual and environmental importance, something that should also be part of the school curriculum.
Gary Hollis, Mellons Bay.