Muddying of media policy
Replacing Melissa Lee with Paul Goldsmith is like rearranging the dummies in the window of an empty shop.
Their National Party was elected without a policy addressing the historic structural problems in the country’s broadcasting system created by the government’s involvement in the business of commercial television run for profit.
The only political party with a comprehensive broadcasting policy in its manifesto was NZ First which, for reasons best known to their leader, Winston Peters, settled for having a junior minister outside Cabinet.
Jenny Marcroft, as the parliamentary under-secretary to the Minister for Media and Communications, would be a more logical successor to Melissa Lee, able to implement her party’s policy, which has as its top priority the establishment of a royal commission of inquiry into media independence— a good starting point for sorting out the muddle created by Labour’s ministers over the past six years.
Tom Frewen, Manakau
Warm memories
I opened The Post today and what a joy to see that beautiful picture of the Gordon Wilson Flats taken in the 1970s on the letters to the editor page (April 24).
In the 70s they were a warm, lovely home for so many including myself and my daughter. It was a haven for us.
Beautifully and practically designed throughout. A little kitchen on the left hand side of a lobby, then a door leading to a lounge and dining area.
A door to a balcony and views over Wellington to Mt Victoria. Two bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs.
The rents for these were at a higher rate but this was more than offset by no train or bus fares and you didn't have to have a car as you could walk to work.
They were well cared for, not only by the residents but by the caretaker who did an amazing job. People were proud to live there and looked after their homes.
It saddens me that others have not been able to enhance their lives by living there also. What are the powers-that-be thinking of to let such an icon fall into such disrepair? Please don't let them trot out the old worn-out argument that they are an earthquake risk.
Gordon Wilson Flats survived many an earthquake, including the big 7.8 one. Marion Carton, Avalon
Strings attached
As government ministers do their line-byline scrutiny to root out waste I do hope that they have a close look at the NZ Symphony Orchestra.
I am astonished to see in its “front office” it has 15 first violinists, all doing exactly the same job at exactly the same time. Surely two would be ample, although when playing Paganini I do concede three could be necessary to get the desired “outcome”.
Dave Henry, Heretaunga
Traffic control ludicrous
I was astounded to see traffic control being used when a leak was fixed on a grass berm in Hume St, Alicetown. Cones were put next to the two vehicles involved in the repair work (why two?). Signs were put up to advise of works.
The traffic management people sat in the truck until the repairs were completed. What a waste of resources and money.
This is the second time I have seen traffic management involved in repairs not being carried out on the road. The last one was on the footpath. How is this justifiable? Why does no-one say anything. Don’t the council office staff ever check what’s going on?
It's not surprising water repairs are costing so much. If you follow the logic for placing cones on the road, then every tradesperson parking their vehicle on the side of the road must have orange cones placed next to them. Countdown trucks should have cones placed next to them when making deliveries, and so on. It's just ludicrous.
Karl Oliver, Lower Hutt
Next on the kill list
Now that the foolish Reading deal has died a predictable death, let's move on to kill the Lambton Quay/Golden Mile upgrade that has already closed so many businesses.
The WCC needs to get back to basics and end these aspirational dreams.
Neil Harrap, Thorndon
Put it on wheels
Virginia Fallon's article about Bethan Collings needing a resource consent for her tiny home (A tiny victory for a mean neighbour, April 25) makes sad reading.
With a severe housing shortage, tiny homes should be encouraged. One solution would be to place the tiny home on a purpose-built trailer which I expect would cost far less than the $40,000 for a resource consent. After all, there many truck and trailers of at least this size parked up virtually anywhere.
Dave Peacock, Ōtaki Beach
Chosen words
Following the announcement of the reintroduction of the three strikes then jail policy, rather than use the word imprisonment, the Prime Minister used “incarcerate”.
Incarcerate has a medieval sound and feel to it. It suggests degradation, pain, punishment, knife turning.
Is that perhaps that is why the word was chosen?
As the Government ticks off its to-do list, I search in vain for any signs of empathy and compassion.
What kind of society will we be living in three years from now?
Gordon Parr, Eastbourne
Empty homes
I am of no opinion on the city council charging more rates for empty central city buildings to encourage some sort of development or habitation.
What I do have an opinion about is the myriad empty council houses – more than 20 – standing empty since before 2021.
The council itself has declared a housing crisis and has accused landlords of all sorts of bad behaviour, yet the council is one of the worst, with empty houses slowly falling into disrepair.
In seven Wellington suburbs there are empty council houses. One house has been empty since around 2011.
I do hope the council will spend some of the rates money raised on upgrading these houses and renting them out to those who really need them.
You know, those people currently living in cars and motels who we keep hearing about.
Catharine Underwood, Brooklyn
Media Council
The Post is subject to the NZ Media Council. Complaints must be directed to editor@thepost.co.nz. If the complainant is unsatisfied with the response, the complaint may be referred to the Media Council, go to mediacouncil.org.nz for more details.