Oil keeps our wheels turning
The Prime Minister (or is it just the Greens?) seems hell-bent on an oil-free future for New Zealand. One would have to be rather naive not to realise this would mean no future at all, not a financially viable one at least.
Our biggest source of revenue is tourism, without which we would be economically ruined. Whether we like tourism or not, it is set to boom for decades ahead, with more aircraft being built, airports enlarged, infrastructure developed, and jobs being created. Our dependency ever increases.
Even with bold advances in fuel efficiency, it is difficult to see how such an economy could ever be carbon neutral, especially in a remote location requiring long-distance air travel. So while we work towards an environmentally friendly future, it’s time to stop being hypocritical and to acknowledge we are totally dependent on oil for economic survival, will be for the foreseeable future, and that exploration of our resources is part of the equation. Domestic, industrial, and agricultural requirements are such that this is the case even without tourism.
Ken Matthews, Christchurch. I think the article penned by Kate Hawkesby of her plane flight with Beckham and Prince Charles was more to do with her letting us know that she and her husband had rubbed shoulders with them. Looks as if the prince was not impressed either and took no notice of them. Prince Charles behaves no differently than his mother and siblings. That is the way they are.
Though I have no great admiration for any of them I would never support New Zealand becoming a republic, then you would see what some people who get a bit of power really act like. His staff would be used to his ways. When you have staff whose occupation is looking after you small talk is not needed. If I could I would take my personal belongings to hotels and anywhere else I had to stay, and anyone can take food they would like to eat with them too. Elizabeth Leach, Milford. Andrew Coleman draws a long bow asserting a direct connection between house prices and New Zealanders’ retirement saving habits. Tax incentives for retirement saving disappeared by 1990 so, if Coleman were correct, we should expect housing to be a larger proportion of household assets in New Zealand than in countries with tax breaks. The best evidence is that, in 2006, that wasn’t so.
Real estate assets for New Zealand’s households (home and rentals) were 46 per cent of net wealth — somewhat less than Australia (56.8 per cent) though a bit more than the UK (40 per cent). Total net financial assets (excluding home and lifestyle assets) were 49.4 per cent in New Zealand in 2006 and 50.5 per cent in Australia, despite Australia’s very generous tax breaks for superannuation. Not much difference there either.
Tax breaks for retirement saving are regressive — they are captured mainly by the rich who really do not need help to pay for their retirement. They are also very expensive, complex, inequitable, and distortionary but, worst of all, they seem not to raise saving levels.
Supply and demand are more likely to explain house prices in New Zealand.
Michael Littlewood, Remuera. My wife was cycling down Sommerville Rd when a little old lady, oblivious to the approaching bicycle, shot out of a side street giving my wife two choices — hit the car or the footpath. She chose the footpath, breaking both arms in several places and the impact of a handlebar on her helmet not only demolished the helmet but left a20c scar on her forehead, which will require plastic surgery.
There is no doubt in my mind, and it was confirmed by the ambulance driver and the doctor, that without the protection of the helmet she would have been killed. There must be several similar incidents that ambulance drivers, the police and doctors could tell and should do so in the interest of saving lives.
Gary Hollis, Mellons Bay. How refreshing that seniors’ opinions were sought on Auckland’s 10-year plan. We learned of a huge increase of people coming into retirement over this period. We discussed the importance of transport suitable for seniors. One suggestion was small feeder buses running around suburbs so seniors feel they still can participate in the life of the city and can easily reach transport hubs.
With the continual closure of banks and money machines, seniors are being forced to travel big distances to their banks. I hear you say, “Why do they not do it online?” The answer is, many seniors prefer to visit their banks.
Affordable rental accommodation for seniors is important, many do not own their own homes and could never enter the burgeoning retirement village life. It is unconscionable to think of seniors living in cars or on the streets. We hope local boards plan to cater for the increase of seniors in their areas. Seniors need to be listened to. Heather Tanguay, Glen Eden. Takapuna is a much-loved place because of the foresight of previous North Shore councils who made the beach reserve possible by buying the land and demolishing beach-front houses. If the Auckland Council had a whiff of imagination it would set up an organisation to seek out places that can become open or green spaces. This would counter the secretive Panuku agency whose plans ensure each year Auckland will become a worse place to live in.
Roger Hall, Takapuna.