Thanks a million

To the doctors, nurses and staff of both Kaitaia and Whanga¯ rei hospitals, a very big thank you for all the care and attention bestowed on me during my time in both hospitals.

I marvel at the work and hours that you put into your work, and although you may make a mistake once in a while, as we all do at some time or another, how many lives do you save? Heaps.

Therefore, once again, I wish to say thanks a million. HARIATA JASPERS

Kaitaia on real issue affecting us here in the Far North.

There are many very important issues now and in the future which affect us all and future generations, like why is there no 0800 number to Whanga¯ rei Hospital, everincreasing rates, effects on communities, with changing land use, poverty, indebtedness, employment, increasing costs, housing, health care for the elderly, the future of the Switzer Home, erosion, sea level rise, climate change. The list is endless.

Remember it is your communities at risk and the costs come back on us all, one way or another while we are fleeced by local and central government, banks, insurance companies, power, phone internet companies’ profits outside our area.

I say we need questions and debate, from my experience as a company director and CEO of many years.

I say there is nothing more local and central government or others having control, like than a divided community, and once more I say, as a company director and CEO, that where there is no positive direction there is no future.

Procrastination may appear great at the time, but it carries a great price in the end, something many have discovered the hard way.

Ask yourselves, why are the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer? The answer is simple. Money makes money, and there are lots of great bargains if you have the money to take advantage of others debt.

I guess it all comes down to