PM’s address

HAVING attended the public address by our effervescent and eversmiling prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, I nevertheless felt disappointment that all available seating for the public was a considerable distance from the stage area. We were unable to access downstairs due to prioritised seating for party delegates.

Worse, though, was the deafening noise from the band, which performed songs at such volume the walls and floor were vibrating. Several attending were clearly distressed, and left the auditorium quickly.

Why do otherwise talented musicians deem it necessary to deliver such deafening material just to prove their merits? On this occasion it became endurance instead of pure enjoyment.

But a huge bouquet to Venues Management staff for their superb handling of crowd control, and to see our lovely prime minister, Ms Ardern, was a breath of fresh air. Clive McNeill Northeast Valley