Rates model vulnerable to downturn

Your correspondent, Rod Lyons, strikes a fair point, raising the necessary funds from those who will utilise additional services (a specific minority group), rather than the general ratepaying public.

Assuming this refers to increased specific infrastructural demands, there may however be a serious catch. In the event of a major economic downturn or a financial crash, try to visualise a sudden average property value decrease of 10 per cent and you will soon see the massive void in income, where the 2.5 per cent maximum rate increase will not keep pace with the outgoings . . . Dependency on rates alone will not cut it, if/when housing values plummet, beyond crazy.

It is time for a rethink of all of Auckland council’s expenses if they want to be able to look the ratepayers in the eyes when the inevitable occurs. Even prior to any outside crisis, current examples of the Auckland infrastructural dilemmas, like the roading gridlock, affordable inner-city car parking shortages and the dependency of external trading and services are only as good tomorrow as the city planners have allowed for today.

Rene Blezer, Taupo.

Peters in charge

Jacinda does not have the experience to be considered a leader and Bill is quite clearly experienced enough but it would seem he is waiting to see if Winston Peters will give him the leadership. Do they lack the ability to lead? We are seeing “options” for NZ First and Peters is in charge of the process. It has not failed to amaze me how both “major” parties have failed to see how they should be in front of the leader of NZ First. They knew it was coming and at no point have they signalled anything but subordination.

Deadlines and negotiations are run by those in charge, irrespective of the size of your force it is strategy and Peters clearly had this result in his sights for some time, he will run the country for the next three years and Bill or Jacinda will be the figurehead on call. I would rather make my position clear and spend three years in Opposition with my integrity and honour intact than be at the beck and call of a minor party; but it would seem that ruling without conscience, being in charge at any cost, is how our politicians view the road right in front of them.

One day they might well look back and see just how short sighted they are being now. And on that subject how woeful are the Greens? They are so wrapped up in their own personal politics that they have forgotten about the planet; the only way they can make a difference is to actually be in Cabinet. They could walk into Bill’s office tomorrow and make a difference, they won’t of course and the inability to put the nation and the planet first should see the party gone at the next election.

Craig Dalton, Karaka.

Cadbury’s move to Oz

So Cadbury has spent “hundreds of hours” trying to find an alternative New Zealand manufacturer for their “full portfolio of Kiwi products” ( Herald, October 18). The result of this search is the confirmation of their decision to end all production in New Zealand at the cost of more than 300 jobs, and shift all production to Australia.

It beggars belief that an alternative producer could not be found for the likes of Buzz Bars and Pineapple Lumps. These are not high-tech products. The Cadbury full portfolio approach — all or nothing — seems designed to ensure that no local manufacturer gets the job, even though local manufacturers could surely produce some of their products, especially if Cadbury were to help them. It is an insult to New Zealand manufacturers to say that they could not produce these products. The whole process seems designed to confirm an already-agreed decision, which benefits Cadbury and their owner Mondelez but has no regard for their New Zealand workers.

Another example case of the ugly face of globalisation where the company makes more profit while local workers pay the price.

Mike Groves, East Tamaki Heights.

Parties’ majority focus

A consequence of MMP is that there is every likelihood that no one party will get a majority. What is unfortunate is that after 21 years of the “system” not a single politician has had the courage to embrace the concept of minority government. They have invented a variety of strategies to obtain majority governments.

Consequently we a stuck with the farce of a very small party (and its board which has NOT faced the electorate and seems keen to remain anonymous — privacy? Really? Yeah right!) deciding the balance of power. But what is wrong with a minority government? It would have to be careful not to introduce controversial legislation in the name of policies but it could get on with governing and it would look bad if the other parties defeated it and forced an election on some minor issue or policy. The electorate would soon get fed up with the cost of continual elections by voting against the parties that were causing them and finally a majority government would emerge. But don’t hold your breath — politicians are in it for the money and the perks they receive.

Brian Giles, Hauraki.

Tunnel as safety model

The Waterview tunnel has generated $1 million in revenue from speeding fines, has an 80km/h limit, a no-changing lane policy, with zero fatal accidents to date. This could be replicated at black spots across the country for similar results.

It’s not important if speed cameras are easy revenue gatherers, but it is important that the revenue is put back into reducing the road toll, given that’s what they’re trying to assist with in the first instance.

I don’t know how many cameras a million bucks can buy, but I’m sure a few could be effectively dotted around some of our highways too. Glenn Forsyth, Taupo.

Largest party goes first

It seems crazy to me that the largest party immediately after the election does not automatically get first chance to talk to each of the other elected parties to try to form the next government when they are unable to rule on their own. If they are unable to put together a working arrangement with one or more of the other parties then the next largest party should have the chance to form the government. No way should a minor party be in the box seat driving the process as is the case. Perhaps the current major parties should work with each other to sort this out this MMP mess before the next election. Shaun Wilkinson, Mt Eden.

MMP critics

Since the general election, we have seen a great deal of ignorance and spite directed at our political system and our leading politicians. We have had MMP since 1996. Where have its critics been for the last 20 years?

The spite directed at the Hon Winston Peters is immature and amounts to bullying. To her credit, your columnist Audrey Young acknowledges that Peters is focusing on policy and not ministerial posts and Crown limos, the so-called baubles of office ( Herald, October 17.) This is responsible politicking and it is time it was recognised. Although reality seems to evade Peter’s critics, coalition talks take time. Look at Germany on whose system ours is based. They will be negotiating well into December. W.D. Howard, Pakuranga.

Super City experiment

Just because Auckland Council think a house is worth more money it doesn’t mean the owners rush out and use extra services with their newfound wealth.

The experiment of making Auckland a Super City has created more bloat in the system instead of less and the rates have only increased at a much higher rate than inflation.

It is time to have a look at the whole structure and concentrate on the main functions of the council and then add the nice-to-have bits when we can afford it.

Geoffrey Slack, Auckland.

Modified exhausts

Melanie Lang asks where were the authorities with regards to modified exhausts. About 20 years ago I petitioned my local MP to do something about the awful scourge of the “boy racer” exhausts to no avail. Apparently they are illegal but there are hundreds if not thousands of them roaring around Auckland day and night. Why are these allowed to be sold/ sourced and why are they not being policed more effectively?

If every offender was slapped with a big fine and ordered off the road until the exhaust was removed and the exhaust was confiscated and scrapped, the problem would disappear smartly.

R. Howell, Onehunga.

Coalition of the left

R. Williams (Letters, Oct 17) points out that “A greater majority don’t want Labour”. Well, an even greater majority didn’t vote for the Greens. An NZ First/Labour/Greens coalition government might look like a puppet riding on the back of a monkey riding on the back of a horse in a circus.

Heather Mackie, Upper Hutt.