Labour has had time to fix NZ’s major problems

Many Sunday Star-Times readers over recent time, but more so Andrew Little, a Crown minister, have persistently blamed the previous National Government for events of today. These range from issues in health, education, crime and policing and of recent times the road potholes.

It is often cited that this problem was caused by National increasing the weight of trucks on our roads in 2010, some 12 years ago.

Helen Clark led a Labour Government from 1999 to 2008 (nine years), followed by National under John Key until 2017 (a further nine years).

Labour under Jacinda Ardern has been in power for five years to date.

So Labour has been in government for 14 years and National for nine. Labour has had more than ample opportunity to rectify matters of concern and be accountable for the concerning issues.

Wayne McNeil, Auckland

Message to Russia

We should expel the Russian ambassador. Our relative insignificance might mean: (1) That the expulsion never crosses Putin’s actual desk, or (2) it does, and produces a cynical sneer, or

(3) it does, giving rise to the question ‘‘Where is this New Zealand?’’

Nevertheless, it will give us the satisfaction of sending packing whatever sub-oligarch currently holds the post, together with his entourage. Wayne Wilson, Christchurch

Despair at Pharmac

I have had arrhythmia issues for about 10 years. I am now completely dependent on a pacemaker to control my heart rhythm. I was originally taking warfarin to thin my blood to prevent potential strokes as a result of my rapid/erroneous heartbeat.

I have tried a couple of alternative medications (Pradaxa and Rivaroxaban), but they resulted in chronic heartburn and stomach bleeds.

I now take Apixaban, which costs me $130 per month. My cardiologist told me that Apixaban is a universally accepted treatment for heart patients who require blood thinners – but for some reason it is not funded by Pharmac. It seems that they would prefer that I take Warfarin, which results in frequent blood tests, medication changes, not to mention driving 30km each time I need a test. Then, of course, there is the cost of blood analysis itself.

I can’t understand the logic of not funding Apixaban. It is a superior drug to Rivaroxaban and Pradaxa.

I despair at the Pharmac model and the people who make irrational decisions when funding health medications in New Zealand.

John Woodyard, Auckland

Reality bites

2023 needs to be the year of facing up to reality. Facing up to the real possibility of one’s house being burned down by some wildfire, or flooded out by some weather bomb, of roads that may never be repaired as they keep slipping away from under us, of insurance shutting us out, of viruses continuing to take their toll, of economists arguing the toss about how to grow an economy in a finite planet, of wars, of hoping for some idea from way out of left field might save us all, while partying to the very end.

Have a little sympathy for the children, who see more clearly than their adults, venting their anger and bewilderment by ramraiding their way through the conventions and policies that got us here, for the mega-rich who have no ideas beyond giving away their ill-gotten gains or trying to get off the planet, for the nutters, religious or otherwise, trying to break everything and hurtle us all towards the apocalypse, and for those trying to govern during these perilous times.

Narena Olliver, Greytown

Market and health

A couple of years ago, after another Pharmac ‘‘rabbit out of the hat’’ reveal, I wrote to Health Minister Andrew Little as follows:

‘‘My plea to you, is that when the funding issue is addressed, the terms of the investigation explicitly include an ‘insurance model’.

‘‘This may not sit well with social democrat governments, but when allocating scarce resources, the ‘market’ has a lot going for it. Why should Pharmac be perpetually ‘in the gun’ for choosing between arthritis and blood pressure? The market and actuarial analysis can determine and price risk.’’

Apart from a systemgenerated response I received no substantive reply.

Rob Harris, Dannevirke

Covid lapses

Why does New Zealand not yet have the Covid-19 bivalent vaccine?

I am a senior and over six

months out from my second Pfizer booster and was unceremoniously refused another booster by my doctor.

I feel like a sitting duck in hunting season.

Yet we celebrate cruise ships and airplanes full of untested (or honour system tests) from highly contagious populations entering our country.

After all the hard work and sacrifices made by our team of 5 million to take precautions for the common good, for three years, have we lost our collective mind? Or just the will to live?

Susan Templeton, Devonport

A better future

Your editorial (January 1) asks how our politicians can make the best possible future for young New Zealanders.

How about removing all of the recent obstructive legislation which interferes with the efficient performance of our various business sectors and landlords.

If anyone needs convincing of the unlimited potential you mention, simply watch families, teamwork and innovation demonstrated on Country Calendar.

Roy Wilson, Auckland