Guy Body’s view
Neglect of our vital regional parks has to end
Auckland councillors, at their last meeting, enthusiastically received the Friends of Regional Parks’ vision and values plan for the next 50 years of regional parks.
The Friends and supporting organisations, totalling over 30,000 people, prepared this plan to highlight the lack of attention being paid to regional parks, the “backbone” of Auckland’s park system. Zero capital funds are budgeted for regional parks and the operations budget has declined for the past 20 years.
Regional parks not only provide for recreation and conservation but also important economic services, making Auckland a “liveable” city. For example, they supply the city's water and are a resource for tourism.
Parks must be purchased years ahead of development, especially in a rapidly growing city. This is not happening and will be a challenge for the new council.
Of greater concern is the lack of innovative practical ideas coming from candidates standing for election. Unless there is radical change, future generations may live in park poverty. council debt, nor will he halt rates hikes, put a hold on six- figure salaries or reduce council staff to pre- amalgamation days.
Come on Auckland, I thought you were a forward- thinking city. It really is time for a change and a new direction and to cut loose all those councillors bereft of ideas and vision ( and being paid handsomely for it) and elect some new blood. After all, it can’t be any worse than what we endure today. To sum up in a single, albeit long, sentence the self- serving, selfadoring nature of Donald Trump — and these are not petty accusations, because to serve and adore oneself is to put oneself above God, country and others — is a challenge few would attempt, let alone master with the breathtaking skill displayed in your newspaper, so for this we must all thank Toby Manhire. In Thursday’s Herald I read that 91 octane petrol is $ 150.7/ litre in Hawke’s Bay while in Wairoa the price is $ 178.9. Before motorists in those areas complain, let them spare a thought for their New Plymouth counterparts who have been paying $ 187.9 for a week or two and consistently pay more for fuel than motorists in many other areas.
A quick word
What a nice gesture by Auckland International Airport. When I went to pay my parking I was told, in honour of the Paralympians, it was free. I said, “But how can I prove that is why I am here?” Don’t worry, I was told, all the barriers are lifted. Lets have a referendum next election on daylight saving. It starts too early and is unnatural. I am always so sorry for the children of these noncommitted social butterflies who flit from partner to partner. Brad may be monarch of all he surveys but both would do well to consider not themselves but the future of their family. The simple answer to wandering cats is to use poison baits. Cats that are at home will have no problem, the rest will die. It is time to stop pussyfooting around. The racial slur in the Real Housewives of Auckland could easily have been edited out before the show went to air. It was probably left in as a publicity stunt. Would it help appease the French if burkinis came complete with snorkels and flippers? It is to be hoped that in the attempt to eliminate the danger from savage dogs, something will be done about the radio and TV interviewers who emulate the aggressiveness of the pitbull. It’s obscene to read that the US is selling $ 1.57 billion of weapons of death and destruction to Saudi Arabia, purported to be the number one sponsor of terrorism. Bashar al- Assad, like his father, is unquestionably a humanitarian dictator confronted totally by evil terrorists. Ask him, but don’t mention torture or incendiary bombs. The talk fest is on yet again regarding the problem of vicious dogs. One word —“muzzles.” In my area Phil Goff has had a front tooth blacked out on his sign. Does this mean we all hate Phil Goff? I think not. Please don’t focus on just one sign done by a stupid person. Your correspondent Ross Marshall blames “Key and his banking mates” for branch closures. This is a commercial decision made by the management and board of the bank. What has John Key got to do with it?