Time to wake up over dangerous dogs
Another child savaged by dogs (Boy in hospital after brutal savaging by four dogs, June 5). Is the entire population, especially the lawmakers, inoculated with stupidity? Dangerous breeds should have been banned years ago but that is no excuse not to start to fix an obvious problem now. The usual bleat will follow: it’s the owners to blame. Will it take a child to be mauled to death before the lawmakers are awakened from their ineptitude? — Uel Young, Mt Maunganui
Inspections important
I was briefly involved in the building industry in the 1990s and was a witness in the leaky homes lawsuit in the Weathertight Homes Tribunal (A baby boomer’s nightmare, Kerre McIvor, June 5). In the 1990s, the Government changed the building code to reduce costs and “deregulate”. It allowed the use of untreated timber framing and sealant around windows. The code also allowed a minimal cavity behind the plaster. Plaster absorbs water and, as a result, water was trapped behind the framing. The building code was changed back to treated timber and a cavity construction about 2003. Other causes of leaky homes included mistakes by builders, designers and councils. Most lawsuit costs fell on these parties, as it’s hard to sue governments or big building material companies. A shortage of decent tradespeople was also an issue, as well as the Mediterranean-style buildings that don’t really suit our climate. Anyone buying an apartment should have it inspected and ensure moisture level tests are done. — Nigel Jones, by email
Documentary evidence
John Rofe is spot on by saying that John Key, Nick Smith and Bill English denying the Auckland housing crisis is like an excerpt from Yes, Prime Minister (Letters, June 5). I have always said that in New Zealand, Yes, Prime Minister is a documentary. It has been proven over and over again. — Murray Hunter, Titirangi
Buck-passing by politicians
The Government focuses on supply when it tries to blame the council for Auckland’s housing crisis. The conspicuous increase in Auckland’s traffic, which has made my daily commute 50 per cent longer this year, tells me the problem is more about the demand created by the Government’s unrestrained immigration policy. When will politicians stop passing the buck? — Duncan Miller, Pakuranga
Special relationships
Paul Little likened the Labour/Greens arrangement to an unmarriageable cousin ending up engaged to the village idiot (Parents not to blame for child’s escape, June 5). I work with the disabled and see good examples every day of those who will probably never be neurosurgeons but lead happy, fulfilling and loving relationships in their own special way. — Justine Adams, Whakatane