Rethink on teachers, nurses due

In drawing attention to nurse training, Linda Robert raises a number of valid points. Similar thoughts arise in respect of teachers. We had payment during the training period, and sometimes bonding and country service, which provided great outcomes. A feature of the approach was the selection process, designed to ensure that those admitted to the schemes were suitable for those careers.

In abandoning those proven methods in nursing and teaching, and by moving to a degree emphasis with little or no onthe-job training and loan repayment overlays, we seem to have a classic unforeseen consequences situation. Time for a rethink? David Lee, Papamoa.

Bus uproar laughable

The uproar by Eastern suburbs parents of their schoolchildren who can't catch a bus is laughable, and that this is now causing traffic congestion is even more absurd.

The traffic congestion highlighted as a subsequent problem does not exist during school holiday periods, which in itself tells me where the congestion problem lies.

Your snowflake darlings need to get a grip. They need to get up earlier, and they need to learn how to be responsible for themselves by catching a bus. If they are late for class, then deal with it my dears. This will teach them that being selfresponsible and accountable are pivotal to long-term success in life.

John Ford, Taradale.

Embrace Down kids

What a fantastic article by Coen Lammers on his daughter Bella’s life with Down syndrome. I was reminded of my childhood when my mum “forced” me to have play dates with a child with Down syndrome. I initially resented it, but came to appreciate my playing companion: once I adjusted my mindset, I adapted to his way of playing and his favourite games, which were different to the rough and tumble that I was used to with my other friends, and can now remember great afternoons spent with him.

I have since seen wonderful examples of Down syndrome people having full, meaningful and happy lives. All they need is support and understanding from those around them, and are then perfectly capable of holding down jobs and relationships, and leading independent lives. We need to embrace them in our society. Congratulations to Coen Lammers for providing his daughter with the best start in life, as well as educating the rest of us on her potential.

Michel Gehin, Grey Lynn.

Bus routes a mess

Auckland Transport has messed up the lives of people of all ages with their latest bright idea of rearranging the bus routes.

Presumably, looking at their pretty diagram of the new system, they hope to force people who live nowhere near the trains to start using them. Our bus, that for many years took passengers living in the large area between Mission Bay and Kepa Rd straight into town, was completely axed, to be replaced by a strange loop around the area which, in my experience, runs almost empty for most of the day. Now one finds oneself waiting for this service to get home at bus stops in Mission Bay and Kepa Rd for up to an hour. When there is a northerly wind and rain, retirement village residents and other older people are unable to sit down without getting very wet. Brilliant idea!

Pamela Russell, Orakei.

What about the neighbours?

I read with a hearty chuckle that Auckland Council gave 12,300 planning approvals in the first six months of this year. Further boasting that 90 per cent of the approvals from 10 months to May 2018 were in existing urban areas. But at whose and what expense?

In correspondence with the planners, it came to light that as long as the minimum planning requirements were met, approval was given without regard to the basics of neighbouring houses and environment as required under the RMA.

Mandatory considerations like overshadowing and blocking of sunlight on an adjoining dwelling is thrown out the door. Is this the Auckland we want? The consents are figures to boost the egos of those in authority and hoodwink us who pay their salaries into believing that all is well. Pressure from the top to try and calm us down? At the rate we go, we will evolve into slum-dog millionaires, Auckland style. James Andrew, Bucklands Beach.

Passing the buck

Once again sewage was leaking out of the pipes from the toilet block on Cockle Bay Beach. Again I called the Auckland Council call centre. After over 30 minutes I was not sure if the problem would be fixed. It took 7 minutes for them to find the location then another 7 minutes to inform me it was a Watercare problem and they would put me through. More waiting and a long time for them to locate the toilet block. Then ‘sorry, this is a council facility and it is their problem, I will put you back to them’. More waiting and told, ‘no it is a sewer overflow and this is a Watercare problem’. One should not have to spend over 30 minutes to report a very bad sewer pollution problem on a popular beach.

Barry Wood, Cockle Bay.

Tenants’ bank statements

It is interesting to note the righteous indignation by some as they protest against landlords wanting to view a prospective tenant’s financials including their bank statements. I can accept that various politicians support tenants, and that is to be expected in the current climate. I am, however, surprised that Andrew King of the Property Association is taking a similar view. Of all people, he should know better.

It is common practice for banks to demand up to six months bank statements and credit card transactions from anyone applying for a mortgage. This is little different from a tenant applying for a rental property. In both cases a valuable asset is being passed into the hands of a person who is supposed to look after that asset and contribute towards its upkeep and maintenance with regular payments. Tenants have the right not to supply their financials and whether they get the rental or not is then up to the parties involved. It can be important for a landlord to know where the tenant’s income is coming from, in particular to check for money laundering. There are currently stringent checks required to establish sources of income. Banks insist on repeated proof of residency, passports and sources of funds. A landlord is in a very similar situation and is entitled to know where the tenant’s funds are coming from.

Olly Newland, Epsom.

House-selling gap

One part of the real estate industry which needs legislation is for the protection of the over 65s selling and buying houses. At the moment it seems that you can bid at an auction and not have to prove you have the deposit or the rest of the money owing on a successful bid. We marketed our house to go to auction. We also went to our bank to see if we could get bridging finance if we found another property in the meantime. No we couldn’t get bridging finance – the reason was because we were over 65 and not still working. The other worry for us was that the people bidding at auction had not sold their homes – these were all younger people. The successful bidder didn’t even have their property on the market. Where was our security? Tied up in a promise to pay the rest on settlement date. The extra stress was something we quite frankly didn’t need.

I feel that land agents should make it mandatory if bidding at auction that you have a letter from your bank or a solicitor that says you either have a bridging loan or you have the funds available in your bank account. The “advice” from friends was that we could take them to court if they didn’t front with the money but who honestly wants to go through months of a drawn out case?

We did sell and the people bidding did pay but still hadn’t sold their house at the time of settlement.

Christine Frayling, Ohauiti.

Electric camper vans

I read that New Zealanders are providing grants through EECA to provide environmentally conscious tourists electric camper vans. That will be nice for the tourists, but it is not good at all for the environment.

To claim to be “green” requires turning blind eyes to the source of the cobalt and lithium required for the van. Then to ignore that that these vans will drag beds, toilets, and the proverbial kitchen sink for mile after mile. The “responsible camper” bumper sticker will be proudly visible for the following traffic to see and observe the hypocrisy. Using the electricity instead to power electric trains or trams would move more people a greater distance per unit of electric power.

Donald Murray, New Plymouth.