Your comments on TV and radio

ON THE BORDER

I’ve always enjoyed Border Patrol (TVNZ 1, Tuesday), even though it is repetitive: Chinese frequent travellers still bring in suitcases full of food; drugs are hidden in fascinating places in postal articles; and so on. But suddenly, it’s bumped down to 9.30pm to make way for another episode of MasterChef Australia. And that’s my bedtime. There is so little left that I enjoy that I’ll have to go back to reading books.

Jenny Chisholm (Wellington) PRAISE FOR TOVEY DOCO

Congratulations to the makers of The HeART of the Matter, part of Maori Television’s Tuesday documentary series. Gordon Tovey was a vital part of our educational history. Clarence Beeby brought other creative people to New Zealand. It would be delightful if the documentary team could give viewers a similar assessment of the contribution made by Philip Smithells, who came to this country from England in 1939 as superintendent of physical education in the Department of Education.

Guy McGregor (Hillsborough, Auckland)

I was dismayed at the lack of acknowledgement in

The HeART of the Matter of Gordon Tovey’s daughter, Carol Henderson. She wrote the biography of her father, A Blaze of Colour, which is the basis of the documentary. She deserves plaudits for allowing our children to benefit from this brilliant man’s foresight.

Beatrice Poppe (Papamoa) SKYPE’S THE LIMIT

Why does RNZ insist on using Skype for interviews? At best, the interviewee sounds as if they have their head in a bucket; at worst, it is unintelligible babble or cuts out altogether.

K Moore (Warkworth) HARK, THE TRUMPETS SOUND

If TVNZ canned its endless self-congratulatory promos, there would be more time for real programmes. As my old mother used to say, people who blow their own trumpets must have an inferiority complex.

David Keene (Invercargill) HILL VERSUS BILL

With Kim Hill as the crossexamining supremo, Prime Minister Bill English didn’t stand a chance on RNZ National’s Morning Report on July 10. On Auckland’s social housing, Hill was on the button, questioning whether property developers had waited until the housing accord ended to avoid having to build affordable houses.

On the issue of historical abuse of children in foster care, English said unlike other comparable nations, we would not be holding an inquiry. Hill two, Bill nil.

Brian Collins (Aro Valley, Wellington)