Remind Russian Embassy

To John Leith (Letters, October 2), it is obvious why Jacinda Ardern is not expelling the Russian ambassador, and rightly so. If he was booted out, Moscow would act in kind, and we would lose our voice not only in Russia but also Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan with whom the New Zealand Embassy in Moscow is accredited.

Much better to keep the Russian ambassador here where we can keep an eye on him, and summon him daily to the Beehive to remind him what a vile and corrupt regime he personally represents, and that its actions become more unacceptable by the day.

Barrie Graham, Auckland

Leave top tax rates

Those parties who want to reduce the top tax rate should take heed from Britain. One of our times’ greatest threats and challenges is the galloping wealth and income gaps. To feed into this scourge and insult by reducing the highest income tax rates is not in line with the times. To direct tax cuts to the top earners in the face of rampant child poverty and challenges to our core social services, and to finance them with borrowed money, seems like yesterday’s policies.

Leave the top tax rates – already low by international standards – where they are, and focus on building a fairer, more inclusive and cohesive society. This is arguably for the benefit of all, including the wealthy and the high earners.

Frank Olsson, Auckland

We are bad drivers

‘‘Police boss pleads for care on roads after ‘horrific’ toll’’ – how many times in New Zealand do we hear these pleas?

We have Auckland Transport executive general manager of safety Stacey van der Putten saying evidence shows speed is a factor in more than 70% of injury crashes.

At the same time, National spokesman on transport Simeon Brown opposes some speed reductions. This is a popular stance to take when the vast majority of New Zealand drivers have no respect for any speed limit given the lack of punishment.

And, of course, the speeding driver thinks they are never going to crash – it’s always someone else. We have a wild west culture of driving in this country, and the only folk not aware of this are New Zealanders.

It is long overdue time for those in power to stop pleading to deaf ears. As a very first step, we need speed limits enforced with multiple speed cameras, fines that hurt, loss of licence, and jail for unlicensed drivers caught speeding.

What we are talking about is saving New Zealanders’ lives, not being popular with those who like speeding or using their phones when behind the wheel. Arthur Amis, Whangaparaoa

Govt needs to focus

This Government has too many concurrent initiatives under way. A prioritisation of goals is the most acute issue right now. It needs to place non-urgent issues such as Three Waters and the insurance scheme on a backburner, then focus on the critical needs; children’s all-round health and well-being (including dentistry and oral health), housing, the health reforms and ensuring the polytechnic restructure is in place for 2023. Keith Williamson, Ka¯ piti

Inspiration for kids

I have just read Jehan Casinader’s excellent opinion piece about his own story and questioning why young people in New Zealand don’t dream bigger.

I am a teacher at Stratford High School, and one of the biggest things that I and my colleagues struggle with in the big picture of working with our young people is the extent to which they simply do not push themselves or ‘dream big’, and how we as teachers and mentors can inspire a little bit of greatness in them. ‘‘Excellence’’ is one of our core school values, and yet taking that to becoming a driving force in students’ mindsets is a huge challenge.

I believe that Casinader’s words in this opinion piece need to be heard by my students, and although they might have some impact being read to them by me, they would mean a lot more coming from Casinader himself, in a medium more familiar to them. I was wondering what the chances would be of him taking a few moments to say what he said in a short video, perhaps posted to YouTube or a similar platform, so that he speaks directly to the young people who need to hear his inspiring story and the challenge to them that lies behind it.

Nicholas Orr, HOD music, form teacher, Stratford High School

Inspiring words from Casinader’s parents were pivotal in his achievements in his chosen field of journalism.

Teachers also play a significant role in helping students achieve their potential. I am a teacher. I love to see the good in students. When I was a high school teacher, I used to tell my Gateway students why I

thought they would succeed in their chosen trade. My words were not generic but specific to the student and were designed to speak to the student’s heart, rather than their head.

Young people need to know that people believe in them. Steve Horne, Raglan