Too many Ma¯ori doing jail time because of insidious racism
The over-representation of Ma¯ ori in prisons is because the NZ judiciary is racist, not the KKK type, but the subtle racist byproduct of white middle-class privilege.
This racism is so insidious and pervasive that it goes unnoticed or challenged by the Crown and police, who aid and abet our judges by their inertia in not appealing their bad decisions.
Recent examples of “judicial racism” include the white woman vigilante who physically assaulted a young schoolgirl “for being a bully”. The presiding judge determined no criminal sanction was needed.
Or the case of the white man who imports class A drugs, admits his guilt, and is sentenced to home detention. On appeal, the conviction is quashed entirely.
Clearly “justice” has not been done nor seen to be done in either case. The reality is that had both offenders had a “brown face” the court outcome would have been different, and you kid yourself if you think otherwise.
Our judges need to reflect our supposed multicultural society. Especially needed on our court benches are Ma¯ ori, Pacific and Asian peoples, instead of the current status quo of white privilege. Brian Malone, Kingsland
Power struggles
Most people are oblivious to spot electricity pricing and how it dictates their future fixed pricing. Right now the South Island lakes are emptying and coal power stations are determining the price for next year. The Minister of Energy has said nothing, but a crisis is looming.
A new gas supply is needed and heads in the sand cannot admit that hydro is suffering climate-change effects and denial that fossil fuels will be needed is not her mantra.
Spot-pricing energy retailers are necessary as their customers are energy savvy and responsive. The ignorance of the public to this crisis is simply dangerous. When the crisis is finally admitted, that electricity next year must rise in price, it will be too late.
Spot-market customers are being burned by devious pricing. Profit is king and deliberately forcing out spot retailers does two things: It reduces responsive numbers of the public who are already saving and drives off their spot-retailing competitors. Steve Russell, Hillcrest
For the love of Mike!
I have just choked on my Weet-Bix reading Mike Hosking praising for the first time the Labour, NZ First, Green coalition after spending 12 months vilifying them. Will Mark Richardson be next? Are their contracts up for renewal? Bruce Tubb, Belmont
Remoteness issues
I grew up in Gisborne (“Exit Auckland”, HoS, Oct 21) but the big problem is poor healthcare and the travelling distance for specialist care. Cancer testing in Hastings — a three-day process — bus there, tests next day, bus back if lucky day three, plus patient paying for accommodation at a motel. All other treatment is in Hamilton — diabetes, orthopaedics, hearts (or to Auckland), surgery — the list goes on. High population percentage of elderly with nobody to provide care. Remoteness. Almost nil public transport.
Yes, I would love to go back — to freezing winter, high energy bills — but worst is the alcohol and drug environment. The social cost is high. And then there’s senior-level education . . .
The beaches and summer are great, so is the magnificent arboretum, but all is not gold that glitters! Sally Thompson, Gisborne
More sheep and aliens
While I am very impressed with Sir Peter Jackson’s assets and achievements (“Jackson’s $150m realty empire”, HoS, Oct 21), I still think he should do another movie involving an old farm house, country yobbos, sheep and aliens. It could be side-splitting. Brian Cuthbert, Army Bay