North Shore stadium just a short trip north
The Auckland stadium debate takes an interesting turn with the idea of a covered North Harbour Stadium as a new home for the Warriors. The ground has successfully hosted league test matches in the past and is a far better option than Eden Park with its inappropriate size, shape and location. If the excellent bus and motorway connections, abundant parking and the true football shape of the stadium are augmented by a new stand and a roof, then this season-ticket holder would be happy to move. I think crowd numbers would rise dramatically. It’s only another 15 minutes on the motorway for South Auckland fans. Cameron Brewer’s comments that we would feel uncomfortable in “middle class North Shore” are laughable.
— Tony Waring, Mt Albert
What about the climate, John?
When I’d read John Key’s list , I had a sense of disbelief (An Open Letter from John Key, September 28). There was not one word about how the leaders of this country are going to respond to the challenge of climate change. Surely the survival of the planet and the need for a positive plan for contributing to our sustainable future must rate a few words.
— Mary Rose, Tauranga
Local flights much too expensive
So you can now fly from New Zealand to Europe return for $1400.Can anyone explain to me why it cost close to $1000 return to travel between Tauranga and Invercargill? It sounds like a rip-off and I can’t but wonder if these regional flights are used to subsidise long-haul flights? How is it possible for Air NZ to show such huge profits? It is because we on the fringes are being ripped off?
— Mariana Kriel, Tauranga
Traffic calm for people not Park
Contrary to your article, the new traffic calming scheme in Balmoral-Sandringham has absolutely nothing to do with Eden Park — in two years of planning and consultation the park was not mentioned once (How to keep traffic quiet? September 28). Although just three blocks from the stadium at its closest point, the “residential quiet zone” covers 34 streets serving some 1600 homes and extends a bit over 2km south of the stadium. The red stripes are known as threshold treatments, applied at all 35 entrances to the zone to give a cue to drivers that they are moving from a busy arterial road into a residential area where they should moderate their speed. Beyond the threshold, drivers encounter a network of traffic-calming devices (mainly speed humps) across the zone. From experience with a smaller scheme in Pt Chevalier, we expect average speeds will be curbed by up to 20 per cent. We have had requests to consider other streets for traffic calming and are about to begin consultation on a similar scheme in part of Mt Albert. — Graeme Easte, Transport Portfolio Holder,
Albert-Eden Local Board
Flag debate may be a good sign
Paul Little’s column goes to show it’s not only the left-wing parties grappling with their epic electoral defeat, but also their retinue of political ciphers reeling from their own abject failure to perceive the obvious: that the average Kiwi doesn’t share their jaundiced world view (Flag debate shields dirty House, September 28). Probably our most important institution is our democratic right to vote and that over 77 per cent of voters took part is hardly a collapse in faith. These commentators should stop patronising and ask why they got it so wrong. It’s possible a flag debate is a healthy reaction as a nation. — Phil O’Reilly, Herne Bay