I’m sorely tempted ...

I agree with R Sorely's statement (TDN 13/12/18) about Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's public apology to the Millane family on the tragic death of their daughter being unprecedented. Thereafter he somewhat loses the plot. Fortunately, I am apolitical. Being thus, I can observe the good – and the bad – of all political parties without bias.

Be it noted that all creatures behave according to their natures – yes, even the saints among us humans.

Ardern was behaving naturally. She is a very compassionate woman and expressed her great sadness at this latest tragedy.

In so doing, she also reflected the compassion and sorrow being expressed by the majority of Kiwis.

Her behaviour was certainly not unwarranted. She should be thanked, not admonished.

As for Sorely's comment about NZ being generally a ‘pleasant and orderly country' – in this there is some truth. Indeed, until recently we did excel on the rugby field.

However, we also have an exceedingly dark underbelly that many would choose to ignore.

We excel in many OECD ratings, having the highest, or within the first three, rankings for suicide, child poverty, family violence and murder, obesity and binge drinking.

Not to forget that NZ is a haven for money laundering, drug running and other gangland activities – not only by Kiwi gangs but also by those from Australia, China, Russia etc.

Finally, greed and dishonesty are running rampant in this ‘slice of heaven'.

Yes, indeed – we truly have something for everyone.

John Patterson, Oakura