On immigration

Deena Coster’s feature article on Immigration in Saturday’s TDN (The Changing Face of Our Communities) was superb and worthy of a Canon Journalism Award. It was well-researched, nuanced, beautifully written and thought-provoking. The bicultural perspective was also invaluable. According to NZ historian James Belich NZ had the second fastest immigration growth in the world from 1831 to 1881 (its European population went from 1000 to 500,000 due to explosive immigration). Needless to say, Maori were swamped by Europeans. By 1896 their population had dwindled to just 42,000, with many predicting their demise. Fortunately Maori made a remarkable reproductive and cultural resurgence. Today totalling 600,000 or 15% of NZ’s 4.8m population. According to NZ historian Michael King the massive immigration of the 19th Century also strained NZ’s environment, with 51 per cent of the land being converted to some kind of grass pasture farming, with soil depletion and erosion becoming endemic. In my opinion, the greatest debate facing NZ won’t be immigration, but whether NZ can sustain between 7 and 10 million cows, which produce the organic waste equivalent of 140 to 150 million people. And if the answer is no, what impact will that have on the NZ economy? Bryan Vickery New Plymouth

Grand Old Dames

Sir, reading the article in your paper (Searching for the dames in the dairy industry, Taranaki Daily News, August 30). My father was a great advocate for having longevity in his dairy cows. When he was using the Sire Waitoa Regal Show King in the 50s several of that bull’s daughters lived in excess of 20 years of age – Brookvale Marvel Queen VHC CP SD (24yrs), Brookvale Valina EX CP (21yrs), Brookvale Mermaid VHC CP (23yrs) a great granddaughter Brookvale Veneer EX CP (22yrs). I also recalled that we had many cows in the 18 year olds still producing and hearty. In those days we weren’t stocked up to the hills like today but nevertheless my dad’s Brookvale Jersey Stud was renowned for its longevity! In today’s world if a cow gets to 10 years of age the LIC, I understand, regardless of production, has the poor old dear on the culling list. No matter what the years, as long as the cow is producing at a high level she is worthy of her place in the herd, my father used to say. Allan Jenkins Hawera

Holesworth Street

Why does it take so long to get stuff done in Tranzit New Zealand? The Council, it seems, pull their hair out trying to work with the Roading Authority Tranzit NZ. Tried to ring Tranzit NZ about the rough state of the road between Liardet and Hobson Streets we call Molesworth Street… or should it be called ‘‘Holesworth Street’’? As I travel over this rough and undulating long piece of street, my car and spine are painfully massaged by this road. Every repair seems to add another set of bumps to go over. Avoiding the sunken bits that are particularly around the Pari Street/ Molesworth Street area is impossible. The shops and businesses know only to well the inconvenience and the effects of the indulations and bumps especially when large trucks rumble past. Please fix this – we don’t pay for this! Kenneth Sewell New Plymouth

Staff kapa haka

The inaugural Taranaki-Teachers and Staff Secondary School Kapa Haka occurred six years ago. Last week, on Friday September 1, Taranaki teachers and the staff of secondary schools, area schools, colleges and kura kaupapa were hosted by Spotswood College for the event. The performances from the groups were of a high calibre and the actions were performed vocally with zeal (great enthusiasm) and provided plenty of vigour. It was enlightening to observe the participants, raising the bar with some who performed outside of their comfort zone with gusto, and without prejudice. It meant everyone was on the same level, with principals and staff belting out their waiata, spinning their poi(s) and performing haka in unison, which can only be witnessed at local or national events including National Matatini. Hopefully this will break down the barriers, or myth, for anyone who is part of the teaching staff that you are more than welcome to be part of these exciting and robust groups. A top performance from everyone who participated. Hemi Ngarewa Patea