Rod Emmerson’s view
Big changes ahead for city’s volcanic peaks
If you are concerned about not being able to drive to the summits of the Auckland volcanic peaks, then I urge you to read the Tupuna Maunga Integrated Management Plan on the Auckland Council website. This sets out some fairly broad proposals for management of all of Auckland's volcanic peaks and surrounding parks.
While much of it is somewhat ambiguous, the clear direction is to remove inappropriate structures and recreational facilities. The idea seems to be to encourage the cones and surrounding areas to revert to native flora and fauna, allowing probably only pedestrian and cycle access. Vehicle access will money spent by tourists in Auckland goes to the accommodation sector. Chris Roberts, Tourism Industry Aotearoa’s chief executive, thinks it unfair that sector should have a levy imposed on it when the other 80 per cent who benefit from council funding to market Auckland, such as restaurants, taxi drivers and sightseeing bus operators, do not. He claims such marketing brings results which benefit all of Auckland. It does not.
He should be thankful the businesses he represents get that 20 per cent return from increased business as a result of money spent on marketing. As a ordinary residential ratepayer I do not get a cent back for the share I have contributed to those costs through my rates. He is also being alarmist about the effect of a levy. Assume it is set at 3 per cent. Does he really think someone who is prepared to pay $ 500 for a top rated room for the night would instead go to Wellington because the price here had gone up to $ 515? Or would seriously object to a $ 100 restaurant bill becoming $ 103? Arctic sea ice is not forming as it should this northern winter and Antarctic sea ice is disappearing at a faster rate than usual this southern summer. This is not theoretical data put about by Mr D. Trump’s “hoaxers” but day- to- day images and graphs taken from current satellite data. The seas and atmosphere are warming and it certainly be restricted.
Current recreational facilities, include archery, tennis, soccer, rugby and a scout den. Stock grazing is to be phased out. The tihi, or craters, are considered sacred by Maori so any access to these is likely to be very restricted.
Aucklanders should have their say before it is too late. seems likely that Arctic seas will be ice free by about September 2020. It is of real concern that our current government and main opposition are not taking the economic, political and environmental consequences of climate change seriously enough in planning for New Zealand’s future. This is becoming the biggest earthquake of our lifetimes.
A quick word
The mayor should go ahead with the tax on hotel beds because when there is a big do on in town hotels benefit from it, as do the bars and restaurants. Often these activities are promoted using ratepayers’ money and while our rates have been going up, the CBD’s rates have been going down. While we have every sympathy with the relatives of the miners who lost their lives it is time to draw a line under this tragic saga. It is clear the conditions in the mine continue to be such that neither the owners nor the Government can justify risking more lives to establish what is already known. Beliefs are powerful and will drive anybody, but I think it is disgusting that 29 families are now resorting to lawyers to resolve this Pike River Mine disaster. But given solicitors benefit so greatly from the unfortunate, sadly, I’m not surprised. In her swearing in speech as GovernorGeneral, Dame Patsy said she would “respect and honour the unique partnership between the Crown and Ma¯ ori, as enshrined in our founding document, Te ¯ Tiriti o Waitangi”. Her so- called “partnership” is a monstrous modern fabrication. In agreeing to cut oil production, Opec nations are practising cartel behaviour considered illegal in many countries. Do we have to listen to Kevin Barry’s PR drivel about Joseph Parker every day until the fight? Let us wait for the result. Yesterday’s gratuitous promotion of John Key furnishes an excellent example of sycophantic treatment of the Government. All married politicians have an annual wedding anniversary, and 32 years is not a significant number. Is the Herald virtually reliant on the Washington Post for news from elsewhere? We all saw its bias during the US election. Pointing a laser into the cockpit of an aircraft at 20,000 feet, pointing the laser at a control tower, failing to turn up at court the first time. For all of this, a 39- year- old man gets 10 weeks jail and destruction of his laser.