Volunteers transform Gulf islands

On Sunday, as part of the Auckland Heritage Festival, I and 100 other people spent a very pleasant day on Motu-oIhenga Island. The transformation over 20 years by the volunteers of the Motuihe Trust, from a wind-swept pastureland to dense native forest, is nothing short of a miracle. I am sure the late Alan Esler, regional botanist for the DSIR, would have no idea his recommendation 50 years ago to the Hauraki Gulf Maritime Park Board to remove stock from Tiri Tiri Matangi Island scientific reserve to allow regeneration of the native forest (with the assistance of hundreds of volunteers) would leave such a lasting legacy.

I understand volunteers have planted more than 500,000 native trees on Motuo-Ihenga and many thousands more on Motutapu Island. You can assist by contacting info@motuihe.org.nz. It may be overdue for Pakatoa and Chamberlain Islands to become public parks and similarly regenerated by volunteers.

Bruce Tubb Belmont

Unobtrusive ref

The rugby test match in South Africa will always be one to remember because of the All Black comeback and the timing of the last try. The Springboks were the dominant team and played the better rugby. Angus Gardner, like all good referees, controlled the game and players unobtrusively which resulted in a great spectacle. Referees get mentioned when they make controversial decisions but seldom when they do well. Thank you for a job well done. Reg Dempster, Albany.

Sonny Bill Williams

How much longer can Hansen persist with the out-of-form Williams? The red card against the Lions cost the series and he received a yellow card against the Pumas. Since coming back after yet another long injury break he has had two poor games. While NZ Rugby insists on players being loyal to New Zealand, Sonny Bill has played league, French rugby and takes time out for boxing. It must be a kick in the guts to loyal in-form players who have worked their way through the grades and then find themselves on the sideline or not selected. Neil Hatfull, Warkworth.

Wrong test

I’m astounded there are New Zealanders such as Dr C. G. Marnewick who buy into the Fox News spin that presumption of innocence applies to Kavanaugh’s confirmation to the US Supreme Court. Presumption of innocence applies to criminal trials only; it does not apply when assessing candidates for a job. If a contractor had a clean criminal record, but multiple accusations of theft, you wouldn’t hire them. Lifetime appointments to the Supreme Court must meet the highest standards — if there is credible doubt over character, pick someone else. As well, more than 2400 law professors signed a statement saying his temperament and honesty in the hearing was enough to disqualify him.

Dave McKagan, Beachlands.

Body language

Dr Marnewick made an eloquent argument for the truth in the Kavanaugh hearing. What also needs to be considered, and those sitting on the bench in courts in this country are taught to be mindful of when listening to evidence, is the person’s “body language” to discern credibility. Consider the two people at the centre of that hearing. On body language alone, who came across as the most credible? John Capener, Kawerau.

Poisoned chalice

Perturbed that widespread strike action during the term of this Labour Government will only serve to ensure the re-election of National, your correspondent seems unaware that is how the National Party has chosen to work the MMP system. Exiting after nine years in government, in which it did little more than guard the position of the wealthy, National knew it was again handing Labour a poisoned chalice and it is now banking on the measures the Government will have to take to address the problems, paving the way for National’s return.

Landed with an economy dependent on a workforce working for little more than subsistence wages, a housing crisis, ballooning social welfare problems, increasing regional impoverishment and with a crumbling infrastructure, Labour is damned whatever it does. Anyone for STV? Malcolm Evans, Tamaki.

Fuel economy

John Christansen’s rant against the fuel consumption of SUVs used for towing, is typical of those who haven’t researched the truth. Having logged the fuel figures on every car and motorcycle I have owned since 1964, he may be surprised to learn that in today’s SUV the overall fuel consumption to date is about the same as the 1500cc two seater Toyota my wife ran for 66,000kms.

On a decent run and without towing however, the modern SUV is 30 per cent more economical than the older 1500cc two seater. Surprised? Not really. The modern SUV has an eight speed gearbox which allows it to cruise at just 1500rpm at 100km/h whereas the old MR2 had a five speed gearbox and we needed to change down a gear even to get over the harbour bridge.

What pushes up the fuel consumption by 35 per cent is not towing a boat it is being stuck at the non-synchronised Auckland traffic lights.

Ray Green, Birkenhead.

Rugby break-downs

There seems to be a tactic to flagrantly use the “holding onto the ball after being tackled” rule. I’ve noticed players on their feet and legally challenging for the ball, hold the ball up against the tackled player, drawing a penalty. For fairness and flowing games I believe there should be a “ball available” call by referees.

Similarly for scrums and rucks, once hands are on the ball it becomes in play and may be challenged.

Clearing out players on ruck fringes also needs outlawing.

Gordon Jackson, Papakura.

Parliament and courts

I spent more time than I would have wished for in Wellington from 2014 to 2017 helping win, finally at the Supreme Court, the Houghton-led liability decision against the untruthful big-end-of-town Feltex prospectus issuers. Chief Justice Dame Sian Elias is correct to complain about the creepy squealing which at times emanated from the parliamentary side of the road, that separates that institution from the courts downhill. It is refreshing that the current Attorney-General has no comment. Tony Gavigan, Director, Joint Action Funding Limited.

New Zealand justice

Burglary, violence, murder, crime, abduction all are on the increase. When an offender is caught we do not want the judge to give them community service or put them in prison for taxpayers to pay their expenses. Police catch them but our judges do not give them the severe punishments other countries have.

Rather than being too soft on the offenders in New Zealand with punishments like home detention, community service and so on, if severe punishments are given we will not see repeat offenders.

Mano Manoharan, Hillcrest.

Vices not values

I keep seeing cartoons, editorials and letters criticising New Zealand First’s “flawed“immigration policy. The critics point out our own values — drinking, family violence, homelessness, obesity, imprisonment, teen suicide — are hardly exemplary.

They overlook the fact that we know those things are not good, and we’re trying to improve. But some people coming here believe women should cover their faces in public, not go out of the house without a male escort, and not be allowed to drive. Are those values we want in New Zealand? R Wilson, Kohimarama.

Disabled and scanned

Last week I flew from Auckland to Wellington with a moon boot on for a broken ankle and “special services provided a wheelchair”. At the security area I was asked to step out of the wheelchair, put my crutch on the scanner and walk through the body scanner which beeped loudly with all the metal in the moon boot. I was scanned again by the official and by a woman security officer. as far as I am aware I was the only one of 171 passengers treated in this manner and unbelievably the same thing happened on my return trip.

Annette Moncur, Onerahi.