North Shore Times (New Zealand)
DEFENDING KEA
Regarding an article in North Shore Times, titled alpine parrot top bird. Great to see, as these birds are inquisitive, playful and entertaining. Contrary to some of the statements in the article, these birds do not succumb to predation and are quite capable of defending themselves.
There has always been high tourism traffic near the areas these birds live but never before have we heard of them dying or even becoming sick from eating the wrong foods. Lead nails and flashings are also a very inventive take on why they are on a freight train to extinction.
You don’t need to be a scientist to work out that the sudden drop in numbers and dozens of dead Kea appearing with every 1080 drop are one and the same. This is the one and only reason these birds are condemned.
I would suggest to Forest and Bird, rather than spreading false information as to why these birds are dying with the sole intention of protecting New Zealand’s dirty secret, just look at the real evidence from concerned environmentalists rather than relying on paid for science. Meanwhile with every drop from now on our kea will be that much closer to extinction.
Carl Scott
Birkenhead
CALLING COUNCIL
Why pay our rates, when the Auckland Council seems to ignore us? I have phoned the Council numerous times, over the walkway between Mairangi Bay and Murray’s Bay, regarding:
1. The drains behind the walkway are blocked with clay, seaweed, stones or sand. The council have not done anything for the last two years!
2. After Labour weekend, dogs are not permitted on the beach between 10am and 4pm; however, every day there are usually at least six dogs. The owners claim that they can walk on the walkway with their dog, but that is not the case. The ‘‘Beach’’ is I think 20 meters above high tide. I have never seen a ranger at the beach.
3. I have asked the council to open the grass car park on the corner of Montrose and Mairangi beach, please, but again to no avail. Now that the little nippers are there on Sunday, there is no parking any where, and any day with sunshine the car park is full. Lisa Jones
Mairangi Bay
Editor’s note: Auckland Council advises us the blocked drain at Murrays Bay has now been cleared.
PARK MAINTENANCE
Anyone who regularly visits our Auckland parks and reserves will by now have noticed the council’s increasing lack of regular maintenance to keep paths, grass and trees in good condition.
And this withdrawal of services is occurring just as more and more pressure goes on all of Auckland’s open spaces due to the rise in high-density living where an increasing number of residents have no backyards of their own.
But I was still taken aback when phoning Auckland Council to ask about some local commuter tracks at the bottom of my street that are thick with leaves and mud; apparently there are now no regular schedules of parks’ maintenance.
I was told by Council’s reception that ‘‘It’s now up to the public to report and request what’s needed’’. I’m still waiting for my logged job to be attended to, but what I really want to know is, whose contract and payroll am I now on?
M. Carol Scott
Birkenhead
HAVE YOUR SAY
Letters should not exceed 250 words and must have full name, residential address and phone number. The editor reserves the right to edit, abridge or withhold any correspondence without explanation. Letters may be referred to others for right of reply before publication. Email: nsnews@snl.co.nz Mail: North Shore Times, PO Box 79, Orewa.