We must not forget the kids are important

IN the otherwise excellent article by Bruce Munro, ‘‘Recovery for all’’ (Weekend Mix, 2.5.20), there was one glaring omission.

That was the failure to explicitly address the needs of 23% of our population — our children and young people.

Also critically overlooked was the importance of hearing their views as to what a different New Zealand could look like.

More than anyone, the children experiencing serious material disadvantage would tell us that returning to ‘‘normal’’ is not on. ‘‘Normal’’ was the problem. Children and young people will have some good ideas for how to build back a better New Zealand.

We must seek their views. After all, it is their right to be heard.

Our children and young people will inherit this system we rebuild.

They will also inherit its financial burden.

We all want a New Zealand that is fairer and more equitable.

So, let’s continue our courageous and worldleading response to this virus by putting our future first.

Andrew Becroft Children’s Commissioner

Council debt

I WOULD suggest the Dunedin mayor and a number of other council members enrol in Accounting 101.

Borrowing money in order to hold rates does absolutely nothing for the beleaguered ratepayer who then gets to pay back both the loan and the interest on the loan.

It would make more sense to work out what the locals, a number of whom will have lost their employment, can afford to pay.

Projects should then be ranked in order of their absolute necessity and what gets done is determined by when the money runs out.

It is a simple matter of cutting your coat according to your cloth, and it is likely in future that there will be less cloth.

Jan Parker Ravensbourne .................................

BIBLE READING: Let your teachings breathe new life into me. — Psalms 119.25.