Leave Porirua’s mayor alone
Salutary bus lesson Dogs and kiwi Media Council
There has been quite a lot of political carry-on regarding what Porirua Mayor Mike Tana ought to be doing with his family, with critics pressuring him to relocate his brood from Rotorua ‘‘to endorse’’ his love for Porirua.
It seems like such an unnecessary and unsettling manoeuvre, and for what gain? Those leading the charge might have overlooked the impact this could have on his six children; moving them out of their current schools and social groups could produce some detrimental side-effects and long-term emotional stuff.
Another victim of this scenario would be the grandfather they are currently caring for. Who would then look after him is a cultural, emotional and financial consideration.
My guess is that Mike and his wife have thought on this matter already, and made the joint decision they see as the best fit for their family.
Whatever promise he made regarding his wha¯ nau prior to the election is only of relevance to opposition councillors who can find nothing else to criticise. They should instead show some respect for the nuclear family unit and the enormous task of being a parent and spouse; many of us are in awe of this man who is being everything to everyone and marvel at his super-hero status. Katie Jenkins, Titahi Bay Amidst the reasons for the new regional council bus network design was the objective of unclogging the central city Golden Mile from Courtenay Place to the railway station. There is a salutary lesson here for Wellington City Council and Greater Wellington Regional Council.
Back in the 1980s, the city council spent millions of dollars making the central city more pedestrian-friendly. It widened the footpaths, planted trees, narrowed the roadway and reduced parking. This is plainly seen in Willis St between Manners St and Lambton Quay.
The introduction of bus lanes into these narrowed roadways has meant it is now virtually impossible for one bus to pass another that is stopped to embark or disembark passengers. So buses now get bunched together in long convoys with large spaces between the clusters. This leads to long delays and bunching of buses that should be at regular intervals.
I hope the councils investigate this matter and move some of these buses onto other streets such as Featherston St, Victoria St, and Wakefield St. It’s probably a vain hope.
Peter D Graham, Island Bay All the enthusiasm for bringing kiwi back to Wellington seems to avoid one little fact: they are irresistible to dogs. In 1987 a single dog lost or abandoned in Waitangi Forest for six weeks killed more than 500 kiwi. Dogs are the No 1 killer of adult kiwi in Northland. Kiwi lack a sternum (breastbone), which makes them particularly vulnerable to crushing injuries, such as those caused by dog bites.
Kiwisforkiwi.org has information and advice about the problem, and they point out that dogs should be on leads at all times when out and about in kiwi areas. That may not be too popular with some dog owners, and will mean that kiwi may not be safe on farms.
Ellen Faed, Lower Hutt
Wimmin on tor
Graeme Bridge (Letters, Nov 19) would like us to use the opportunity of hosting the 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup, to start correctly pronouncing the word ‘‘women’’. Good idea.
While we’re about it, we might like to start correctly pronouncing ‘‘tour’’. The habit of sports commentators using ‘‘tor’’ is only OK if they are talking about a team having to climb a hill or rocky peak. Garry Whincop, Napier
Denying history
Come off it, Hawera. The Lions Club truck in the Christmas parade was depicting something which is now history – the age of the Black and White Minstrels – and they never hurt anybody: just brought entertainment and song to the masses.
Maureen Lee, Waitarere Beach [abridged]