Short & sweet On new town On tax

While converting rural Paerata to urban makes sense in the long term, central Papakura already has everything for intensification, even empty shops.

Chris Kiwi, Mount Albert. Jacinda Ardern says that she has been “told” stamp duty on foreign buyers of property “won’t work”. Told by whom? Singapore introduced a 15 per cent stamp duty on foreign buyers in 2013 and the number of overseas purchasers has fallen markedly. Jeremy Hall, Hauraki.

On seizures

State acquisition of land for housing? I can’t believe NZ First will go along with this policy because it sounds like communism to me.

A. J. Petersen, Kawerau.

On leader

Just back from a holiday in China. Our mixed countries group had a quiz night. One question was: “Who is the new leader of New Zealand?”. To which 94 per cent answered Winston Peters. Do they know something we haven’t been told yet? Dave King, Avondale.

On result

The old adage, win with dignity lose with grace, applies as much to politics as it does to sport. John Clements, Orewa.

On Luther

Paul Moon, a professor of history, has perpetuated the misconception Martin Luther was a monk. Luther was in fact a friar, a member of the Order of St Augustine. The distinction was as important as between rugby and soccer. Alexandra Barratt, Hamilton.

On trams

Twice the Herald has used an artist’s impression of the proposed Dominion Rd tram. It shows a scooter in the foreground and a car in the distance. A more realistic view would be 50 cars stalled, waiting for passengers to get on and off the tram.

K-H. Peter Kammler, RD Warkworth.