TO THE POINT

A massive bouquet should be presented to Nehe Milner-Skudder for trying to use his position as an All Black to further the discussion on a serious topic like race relations. While it’s a shame that in New Zealand we reserve our highest respect for those who are the most proficient at chasing an object around a paddock, it is nice to see someone using that position of prestige for something other than shilling heat pumps or vitamin pills.

Thomas Lynch, Maupuia

It’s good to see fresh thinking on solving Wellington’s transport woes, with the launch of the Wellington First party. I do hope it will promote a monorail as a solution to congestion. After all, look what it did for Brockway, Ogdenville and North Haverbrook. Patrick Morgan, Te Aro

We know that Jacinda Ardern loves publicity and will grab every opportunity for a photo shoot, but to use a murder case is bad taste. Does this mean she will front up for every future murder (almost daily now) or was this special somehow? Gerald Dowthwaite, O¯ taki

The New Zealand Transport Agency closure of Paeka¯ ka¯ riki Hill Road between 2pm and 7pm on the last two Fridays reduced congestion caused by traffic merging on to State Highway 1 at Paeka¯ ka¯ riki. At 3.25pm last Friday the subsequent increase in volume of traffic travelling north on SH1 was banked up to the Porirua offramps because the Mana Esplanade clearway did not start operating until 3.30pm. NZTA will need to change the clearway hours if the trial is to become permanent and should have done so for the trial.

Morris Cheer, Aotea

With all this current brouhaha over the possible effects of breaching name suppression, isn’t it time we finally finished with jury trials in favour of a system using qualified professionals who presumedly would not be affected by this and other such things? Kevin Bateman, Lower Hutt

Thank you, Kathryn Spencer, for your excellent and common sense Continual restructuring – it’s such a waste (Dec 13). It brought back memories of my time at the New Zealand High Commission in New Delhi, when, during most of 2012 and part of 2013, some short-term hired staff in head office seemed to be so driven and demanding about the serious changes proposed for those working overseas for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. What a mess and so much time wasted. Fortunately common sense prevailed, and we have our foreign minister approving muchneeded additional policy staff. Graeme McGuire, Waikanae Beach