Fiona Edgar, Henderson.<\/p>\n
Rail review<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Politics aside, and given the \u201chorse has already bolted\u201d, perhaps Bishop should explain to the tax\/ratepayer what he hopes to achieve from his review.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Bruce Eliott, Singapore.<\/p>\n
Dog shelter abuse<\/p>\n
Rachel Kelleher\u2019s article<\/a> highlighted the misinformation being published in social media with regard to how Animal Management treats animals. <\/p>\n As discussed, some have to be put to sleep, usually because they are aggressive. <\/p>\n 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\u2019s Lottery Minister\u2019s 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!<\/p>\n Angela O\u2019Shea, Hillcrest.<\/p>\n Council amalgamation<\/p>\n David Hallett cannot wait to amalgamate the Tauranga area councils, but be careful what you wish for.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The same happened in Auckland, where the more frugal lower-rated suburbs are now propping up the Flash Harrys.<\/p>\n Geoff Leckie, Flatbush.<\/p>\n Too much of a Givealittle thing?<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n I appreciate there will be many who say, \u201cIf you don\u2019t want to donate, simply don\u2019t,\u201d and that\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n That debate may be uncomfortable, but it is one worth having.<\/p>\n Alan Walker, St Heliers.<\/p>\n Grand coalition<\/p>\n