Mike King is a beacon of hope

We nearly lost a family member four years ago and last year, they had a relapse. We reached out directly to Mike King ( NZ Herald, June 17). The personal time, genuineness, understanding, and care he gave over many weeks, with an open contact until this day, still brings tears to our eyes. He was a godsend.

How much he cares and wants to help, he is an amazing man. He resonates with the young, he loves them, makes them feel wanted, special; he gets it. He would do so much for mental health in this country if he were at the helm.

The hoodie Mike wore in Wellington saying simply, “I Am Hope”, is what he was for our family member, and more. He was the medal we received, a medal we did not need to wear on the outside of our heart, he was already in it, and no doubt for thousands of other families.

Glenn Forsyth, Taupo¯.

Has and have

“For to everyone who has, will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” (Matthew 25:29)

The upper classes get a billion-dollar bridge for recreational walking and cycling as a welcome break from “working from home”. The underclasses get told to take the bus in order to get to the places where actual work gets done.

The upper classes get subsidies to buy their new $79,999 EVs. The underclasses can barely afford the $7999 it costs to buy a 10-year-old, second-hand vehicle.

The upper classes get to feel righteous about saving the planet. The underclasses are made to feel guilty about destroying the planet.

Robert Puren, Glenfield.

Guilt trip

I was driving through Te Kuiti the other day, in my 3.6l diesel camper, feeling guilty because the Government is saying I’m destroying the environment with exhaust pollution. My camper burns about a litre of diesel every 7km.

Next minute, along comes a train being hauled by a diesel locomotive underneath an overhead electrification system installed at great taxpayer expense.

I could not help but reflect on the old saying “do as I say, not what I do”, and the missed opportunity for the Government to avoid burning vastly more diesel than my modest 6 cylinder which has no electric alternative available.

Dave Comber, Taupo¯.

Medical tragedy

I was very saddened to read Katy Thomas’s account ( NZ Herald, June 16) of terrible distress to her son and witnesses at Starship ED. Prescription cannabis often costs $5-$30 daily to help reduce seizures, alone or with anti-epileptic drugs. It can also relieve emotional distress and its ripple effect on wha¯nau.

The Ministry of Health Cannabis Use

Survey 2012-13 found half of illegal cannabis users took cannabis for medicinal purposes. The negative referendum outcome means we have failed them. The Cannabis Legalisation and Control Bill would allow all cannabis users, medicinal and recreational, safer access to less expensive cannabis.

Referendums are not best practice for major public health decisions. This Government could still do the right thing and bring the Bill to Parliament.

Unfortunately, meanwhile I understand why patients and wha¯nau continue to use illegal suppliers. Tragic.

Dr Graham Gulbransen, Cannabis Care Clinic and Addiction Treatment Services.

Charging time

Regarding Andy Freeman’s comment ( NZ Herald, June 16) that all you need is a threepin plug to charge these electric cars, it’s okay for your hybrids and smaller all electrics but no good for anything else.

Charging times without a dedicated high capacity charging unit can be days on a 10amp outlet. Then the power transformers in areas with a high percentage of e-cars will need upgrading so the imported coal they burn in our power stations can feed the demand.

James Archibald, Birkenhead.

Teacher breaks

I agree with Alison Kelly ( NZ Herald, June 16) on teacher demands.

This year in New Zealand there will be four terms of approximately 10 weeks each. After each of three of the terms there are two weeks’ holiday. After the final term of the year there are five to six weeks holiday, a total of up to 12 weeks paid holiday per year compared to an average four weeks in the business world.

I understand there may be a burnout issue for some, but is 12 weeks’ holiday conveniently positioned regularly throughout the year, coupled with teacher-only days, not enough time for planning and rest and relaxation?

Teachers are not the only professionals who experience burnout.

O¯ Janet Boyle, rewa.

Class struggle

All through my life there have been amongst my friends many school teachers. Every single one of them has or does spend way more than 3pm to 5pm daily in lesson preparation, marking and other administrative time-wasting tasks.

For decades it has angered me that so many people who should know better think teachers have an easy ride.

I will never forget a young teacher saying to his colleagues, “It is not until you understand that your survival is more important than the kids that you can start to become a good teacher.” The others all understood, and agreed. Today, with everincreasing demands, too often teaching is a matter of sheer survival.

A. J. Forster, Mt Eden.

Prodded to act

It was good to hear that the lady from Greenlane had a good experience with the Covid-19 vaccine centre. Unfortunately, it doesn’t happen to everyone.

A widow who lives nearby hasn’t had any advice because due to previous good health she does not have an NHI number, no computer and has very limited knowledge of technology. Urged by others, she rang the Covid-19 appointment 0800 number but was advised that, because she has not the required technology, they couldn’t help and she was advised to present herself at a Covid19 vaccine centre and arrange an appointment.

The concern is that there will be many other people in the same position and it will not just apply to the aged. There needs to be a special process for these people and it should be well communicated.

Reg Dempster, Albany.

Full of rubbish

A huge new landfill for the beautiful Dome Valley. The Huntly power station could easily be converted and burn all of Auckland’s rubbish, producing free electricity. This is being done very successfully in many European cities.

Instead, we import thousands of tonnes of dirty coal to burn while this Government prides itself on being clean and green.

Vince West, Milford.

City of chaos

What an excellent article by former Auckland City Council director Grant Kirby ( NZ Herald, June 15), which sums up the current chaotic situation in Auckland extremely well.

He hits the nail on the head when he asks whether the current councillors find it easier to increase rates than scrutinise expenditure items.

He is also correct when he points out the lack of co-ordination and control regarding projects, and the ideologically driven decision-making, and questions the cost benefit of under-utilised cycleways.

Instead we have a city of cones and deliberate congestion being created by the council and Auckland Transport

Ken Graham, Greenlane.

Untidy bliss

“Birdsong silenced” by John Clark ( NZ Herald, June 15) highlights our need to celebrate the shade, insect and animal life associated with trees.

My backyard 10-year-old oak tree attracts caterpillars and other insects which attract birds, eager for a feed. This tree attracts both native pigeons and tu¯¯ı.

The same is true of the 10-year-old po¯hutukawa tree, which I found uprooted on the beach and now lives in my backyard.

Both of these trees have attracted one complaint each.

I am disappointed that many people in our city and suburbs worry about untidy berms, plants and trees in our city landscape.

Why would anyone prefer a tidy concrete jungle?

Caroline Mabry, Glen Eden.