Designs for Takapuna are flawed

Simon Wilson is right about the absurd prospect of Takapuna “slapping custard pies in its own face” — it is about politics. But it’s about design, too. Both concepts on offer are flawed. And, as Wilson notes, both designs have been poorly communicated via Panuku’s website.

No wonder, then, that the hardcore champions of Option 3 — Do Nothing — might succeed in swaying community opinion, in their ambition to embarrass Councillor Darby and Mayor Goff.

Panuku should go back to the drawing board with Option 2 and come up with an inspired design which integrates the square with the park instead of treating them as separate entities.

The design also needs to frame the square with more gently scaled and civiclooking architecture. Above all, it must express the outstanding natural and cultural landscape of Takapuna.

Dushko Bogunovich, Adjunct Professor,

Auckland University.

Design art attack

As I got the paper on Saturday, I nearly had a heart attack when I saw the developer’s images for the proposed cinema complex redevelopment.

It does not bear any resemblance to Art Deco — the buildings mostly resemble a nasty 60s building near Newmarket pool. If the tikanga of Mission Bay is its Art Deco buildings, its mauri (life force) is the wide open skies and uninterrupted sun on Selwyn Reserve and the beach.

Seven-storey buildings will shade out the reserve. In short, this development makes Mission Bay into a clone of any Sydney beach and its mauri will be dead.

Andrew Parsons, Mission Bay.

Freedom to listen

There has been a lot of media cover supporting one’s right to free speech, along with some criticising those who would wish to promote free speech.

There is a big gap in this argument — having the “freedom to listen” which I think would overcome much of the bitter correspondence we have observed.

Basically, if you are aware that someone is saying or is about to say something that you may find offensive, you have the freedom to stop listening or deciding not to attend any function where you believe there will be people that may speak in a manner that will offend you.

With the recent bannings associated with Brash, Molyneux, and Southern how simply could those protesters have ignored the planned events, ensuring their cynical and poorly informed outlooks are not threatened. Dick Ayres, Auckland.

Young Kiwi millionaire

What exactly was the Herald on Sunday’s “Kiwi millionaire” article supposed to attract its readers to avidly consume?

For those here in the Eastern Bay of Plenty on minimum wage making pie, beds and accompanying their parents to the Salvation Army Family Store for clothes and furniture, [such a story is a fantasy]. You can probably count on less than one hand how many parents are both accountants and able to “top up” their progeny’s savings to propel them on to the property ladder.

Justine Adams, Ohope Beach.

Debate protesters

Isn’t it amazing how a vocal minority can make so much noise, when it suits them of course. I’m not sure whether they are misguided, misinformed, or just stupid.

Having followed like sheep after Massey University vice-chancellor Thomas banned Don Brash from speaking on her campus, they then provided, probably unintentionally, a welcome forum for him to speak at Auckland University.

Thankfully, those that attended with the right intentions, sent these wastes-ofspace packing, so the debate could be had in a civilised manner.

Compare this when Hillary Clinton came here. No protests outside the venue, and a fawning TVNZ interview. No doubt when “Hanoi Jane” Fonda comes later this year, she will be afforded the same tugging of the forelock.

What are these so-called left wing activists so frightened of? That someone will actually be able to point out their utter hypocrisy through reasonable debate.

Gary Kenny, Tauranga.

Haka devalued

For years I have expressed the view, hitherto regarded as politically incorrect, that the All Blacks are not well served by the haka. Too often the vigour and spirit expended on the prematch performance results in a lacklustre first 15 minutes of the game when the opposition takes advantage of the unnecessary and primitive ritual.

The currency of the haka has also been devalued by the multiplicity of inappropriate occasions on which a poor rendition is performed by unqualified persons. Let the haka be restricted to its proper place as an element of Ma¯ ori ceremonies. Peter Clapshaw, Remuera.

Plastic bag posers

I am one week back from a two-week golf trip to Coolangatta and the sunshine. First thing after arrival was go to Woolworths and get some food in. Was I in for a shock. It seems no “one-use” bags had been in for about two months, but who knew?

A few days later, Coles did a u-turn about the plastic bag issue, and I personally saw how grocery shoppers deserted Woolworths and how busy Coles was. The mall was full of Coles bags.

I cannot be the only person who avoids shopping at The Warehouse since they stopped using plastic bags. No surprise to me that they are not doing well since then.

None of my one-use bags ever ends up in the sea. I once travelled on the Mariposa to Auckland and know that all the waste, including sewage, went into the sea. How much of the waste in the oceans is from cruise liners?

Wouldn’t it have been wiser for a substitute bag to be put in place before the plastic bags were banned, or is that too hard for the so-called experts of today?

Betty Robb, Beach Haven.

Outstanding daycare

Thank you Elyse Hannay for your letter in response to Deborah Hill Cone’s opinion piece. Your words reflect exactly what I was thinking. I suspect the piece was written to create some hype/controversy/ outrage but I was in tears as I read it wondering if sending my two young children to daycare was the right thing after all.

Like you, Elyse, I welcome Deborah to come with me to visit the outstanding educational facility that we call day care, where children learn important social values and much more.

I am sure I can change her opinion and help her understand that as a working parent, we are doing the very best we can.

Erin Dalton, Remuera.

Living in battery cages

Nowadays one has to be on a bandwagon, has to be noticed and cannot just be ordinary. What with Facebook, Instagram Twitter and the dreaded cellphone, gone are the days of privacy and peace.

The male has become a dishwasher and child minder while his female companion has become the rooster. Children are protected from something that’s never been heard of or will probably never happen.

Free speech means you can say what you feel or like providing nobody can hear you. PC is described as when you are a celebrity and break the law your name will not be published as it could affect your mental outlook.

One dare not even go there when the word racial rears its ugly head. No doubt most of us have heard of battery cages, well that’s what we have become.

Reg Dempster, Albany.

Libel qualification

On its own, an affirmative accusation someone is a crook raises the prospect of libel action, but when qualified by “I think”, that is the democratic right to express an opinion — “I think, therefore I am.” Descartes 1596-1650.

Kenneth Lees, Whangarei.

State of economy

Friday’s Business section contained a fullpage article by professed business expert Matthew Hooton which contrasted sharply in some respects with the article a few pages over summarising the Reserve Bank’s thinking on the current state of the economy.

While Hooton states unemployment was up, the Reserve Bank expects unemployment to fall to 4.2 per cent and wage growth to pick up.

While improved wage growth may not make Hooton and his employers happy, the Reserve Bank concluded that real wage growth in the past five-year period was slightly lower than in the preceding five-year period when adjusted for inflation. Nurses, teachers and others have been overdue for a well-deserved wage increase for years.

The unemployment rate was actually higher in the last five-year period than in the preceding five-year period according to the Reserve Bank — it increased in the last term of the National Government despite the GFC ending in 2013.

The Reserve Bank also concludes that the participation rate and employment rate remain exceptionally high by historical and international standards.

Yes, the Bank talks about a downward international shift that will affect the NZ economy but Hooton appears to promote a self-fulfilling prophecy which the Reserve Bank and many Kiwis simply do not agree with. You may be in a state of “despair” Hooton and maybe your view is a little “infantile”.

Paul Carpenter, Rotorua.