Short & Sweet

On council

Auckland’s Mayor Phil Goff was out counting the city’s homeless. Before he puts his abacus away, he should also count the number of bureaucrats it takes to get a consent to build a house.

Peter Culpan, Te Atatu Peninsula.

On Dixon

If Scott Dixon is not NZ sportsman of the year 2018, the system is seriously flawed.

A J Petersen, Kawerau.

On Te Reo

Ma¯ ori Language Week is over for another 12 months and it certainly had a lot of exposure. However, I sense a certain amount of hypocrisy in the corridors of power because we have yet to see a single political hoarding in Ma¯ ori at election time. Ben Walker, Hamilton.

On rugby

The All Blacks lost a test match. A tragedy? No. Will they lift their performance? Of course. Opposing teams will realise the All Blacks are not invincible and will play with greater determination and hope. Will this produce some exciting rugby? You bet!

John Walsh, Green Bay.

On governance

It really is getting tiresome to hear the constant burble of discontent and barbs of failure and mismanaged this and that from an opposition figurehead that only needs to ask what did his party do over the past decade. That would be a very short interview as the market was responsible wasn’t it?

Gordon Jackson, Papakura

On democracy

I must take issue with the view expressed by Bryan Gould, namely that New Zealand has a parliamentary democracy. In a democratic system, the people choose their representatives. Under the “list” system, one can become an unelected member of parliament and go on to become a government minister. Sid Felman, Mt Eden.

On anthem

It has been suggested that our national anthem is in need of a change. I suggest the following revision: “God Defend our passes from going straight into the hands of the other team and our conversion attempts from always hitting the post.”

Doug Hannan, Mount Maunganui.