A quick word

I am delighted that West Lynn is to be “fixed” as Simon Wilson reports but it was once pretty and I doubt it can ever be made pretty again with all the garish colours, signs and poles that AT requires to make the place safe.

Christopher Johnstone, Grey Lynn.

John Tamihere, and some other Maori leaders, will have to get used to the idea, that “money for Maori” is going to end. The Waitangi Tribunal is 43 years old. The time is approaching, for Maoridom to stand on their own feet, without special support. I think they can do it, I hope they do, and become stronger for it.

Rex Beer, Manly.

I can’t believe council planners are even considering the planned Summerset retirement village in St Johns. The unitary plan has a maximum height of three storeys in that area and they want seven storeys. It should be a straight no. The ink on the unitary plan is just dried and they are looking to make exceptions. How can ratepayers have faith in the process if this goes through?

Claire Teirney, Stanmore Bay.

As I watched the TV1 news last night, I was reduced to tears at the situation the Burgess family find themselves in with the MPI wanting to move in and take their pregnant heifers to slaughter on Monday. It’s barbaric and inhumane. I hope Gary and Lynda can stand their ground and forbid it. No one is even sure the poor creatures have the virus. Please stop killing these gentle creatures until everyone is sure their death is necessary. Christine Wroblenski, Pakuranga.

Why blight the waterfront view with a stadium rather than providing an open space to be enjoyed? From the point of view of access for 30,000-plus spectators it could hardly be worse. In any case, they’d all be looking inwards. Peter Milner, Ellerslie.

AT has shown in West Lynn, that unlike many organisations, it is able to change its mind and correct mistakes. My hope is that it can acknowledge the wisdom of heavy rail to the airport. When the CRL is complete, trains can take people from central, eastern, western and southern Auckland without adding to our increasing congestion. Mark Nixon, Remuera.

The ceremony of marrying oneself is in the news and roundly condemned as the ultimate in silliness and narcissism. Not necessarily. If the decision causes you to check yourself out and decide if you are the type of person you can love and honour, go for it. If not, what are you going to do about it?

John O’Neill, Kaiwaka.