Airport answer left reader flat

I was flabbergasted at Auckland airport that, when I asked for a Lemon and Paeroa, the server replied ‘‘What?’’. So I repeated, in a very slow and highly enunciated voice, ‘‘Lemon and Paeroa’’. To get the answer again — ‘‘What?’’.

In reply, I informed her that ‘‘It’s New Zealand’s most iconic soft drink.’’ The server then looked at me as if I had a few screws loose. From that point another customer intervened, to no avail. Eventually I settled for a ginger beer.

Auckland airport is the gateway to New Zealand. I therefore expect airport staff to know at least something about New Zealand culture.

You shouldn’t be working in at airport cafe serving drinks if you have no idea what Lemon and Paeroa is, and better still your cafe should actually have Lemon and Paeroa on their drinks list.

Murray Patterson, Palmerston North

True housing cost

So, councillor Brian Dawson is crowing about the rebuilt Arlington (Wellington) complex, which he reckons cost $33 million to build and will provide 104 new homes. Trouble is, that’s not true, on two counts.

Firstly, Stuff ran a story only a couple of months ago showing the project cost had spiralled out of control (nearly 30 per cent over budget), actually coming in at $41m cost.

Secondly, 57 perfectly habitable social housing units were destroyed to make the project possible, so the net increase in social homes is a mere 47 units for the $41m outlay; that works out at an eyewatering $872,000 for every additional apartment provided for the less-well-off.

Folk on the social-housing waiting list can expect to be there a hellish long time if Dawson plans on outlaying close to a $1m for every single extra home provided, excluding the cost of land. It is a shocking waste of city social-housing funds whichever way you look at it; totally irresponsible.

It’s a real shame Dawson doesn’t exercise the same economy when spending other people’s money as he does with making sense.

Ian Billing, Seatoun

Repeat steps 1, 2, 3

The Ardern coalition government programme appears to be: Year 1, determine priorities; year 2, determine measures for the priorities; year 3, determine how to deliver on the priorities; year 4, oh, we’re in opposition. Wait nine years doing nothing and start again.

Bernard Jennings, Island Bay

Classroom picks

The demise of the neighbourhood school continues to bedevil successive governments who grapple with the now-established expectation that parents have the inalienable right to choose their children’s school.

Government-funded schools were established originally to ensure every child lived within reasonable access to a primary and, later, secondary school. However, increased social mobility and an emerging middle class have resulted in the current state of affairs.

The genie is now well and truly out of the bottle and no political party would dare risk their electoral survival by attempting to reinstate the strict policy of zoning which, in reality, is the only rational solution.

The status quo has the unfortunate effect of allowing the Government to tolerate a system which accepts the concept of ‘‘good’’ and ‘‘bad’’ schools rather than focusing their efforts on ensuring that all state schools are resourced at a level sufficient to ensure no child should be disadvantaged.

As in the past, parents wishing to exercise (and fund) their right of choice can then choose a privately funded school which meets their expectations.

It is a sad fact that there is so much dubious and misguided information which influences parental decision-making in this regard, but to reverse this trend may be a bridge too far, even for a left-leaning government.

Peter Quin, Waikanae [abridged]

Losers and winners

The All Blacks have had a real wake-up call and the loss would have done them good. Kieran Read has a lot to answer for as the captain. I had a cheeky $10 on the Boks with my neighbour and came out on top.

Gary Stewart, Foxton Beach