It’s the matrix

Further to the letter ‘the winner is…’ and the response (September 12), I am confident of Cr Foy’s integrity, what seems dubious is some sort of roading matrix that was agreed to by councillors.

I understand the need to attract maximum NZTA subsidies that help the ratepayer dollar go further. But from what I’m reading it looks like a sparsely populated length of Church Rd has been prioritised for sealing while a small, dangerous length of Mill Bay Rd, Mangonui, that compromises the safety of hundreds if not thousands of pedestrians each year will remain without a footpath for at least two more years. I think the matrix needs revisiting to ensure that

pedestrian safety is given a higher priority.

The cost of the Mill Bay Rd footpath is estimated to be less than $20,000, and at a time when the council has allegedly been advertising for three legal staff and two communications officers (to do what? Sue the ratepayers and tell the world about it?) it might be time to take another look at ensuring that money is being spent in places that actually benefit

communities.

SHERYL BAINBRIDGE Te Hiku Community Board

candidate Cooper’s Beach

not always.

Rather than looking for features that are common to the well-respected leaders of the world's countries we need to look for something that is common to those that we don't hold up as the leading lights. The most obvious feature is an obsession with unusual hair, as is apparent with Donald Trump, Boris Johnson and Kim Yong Un.

The answer is simple - vote for the bald guy - me! I have never accepted a bribe, although this has been made easier by never having been offered one either. I am always willing to give my opinion on any topic, and am used to it being ignored despite its obvious wisdom.

Don't miss out on an opportunity to elect me whenever I stand next, and remember, vote early and vote often. DENNIS FITZGERALD

Melbourne On Thursday you reported that Kris Khaine had heard a shining cuckoo. About July I told someone near me that I did not know if the cuckoo telling us of his nefarious deeds many times a day was a leftover from last autumn or an early spring arrival.

SYLVIA BRYAN

Motutangi why events took place as they did. Why did Hitler gain his following? Why did the Ma¯ ori leave their tropical islands? What caused Russia to rebel and establish a communist state, and what caused its downfall?

What’s causing the political efforts to discredit New Zealand’s present Prime Minister? Why did Hongi and Nga¯ puhi slaughter thousands? Why did the ruling Jews insist on Christ’s death? What effect did this have on them through history? Why have mighty nations risen and then fallen, and can we see evidence that this trend continues today?

What happened to the poor in the Industrial Revolution? Why have we increasing numbers of poor again now? Is history starting to repeat itself? Who caused the New Zealand Land Wars?

I hope the period from say 1780 to 1840 in New Zealand is covered fully. Hopefully qualified historians will draft the syllabus for teaching New Zealand history and the Ministry of Education and factually adrift creative historians will be kept well clear. The factual truth will hurt, but let’s have it. The 1930s depression and the lives of the massive poor populations there. Then the reality of telegrams that arrived during World War II: ‘We regret to inform you...’ Free education and the old age pensions. There is much to celebrate as well as the shocking facts more suited for secondary schools where they may have to be watered down, as hard, factual history often isn't nice.

SAM MCHARG

Kerikeri over. Chinese mothers will stop using milk as soon as this information is known. I intend telling my Chinese friends, treason or not.

I saw Chinese mothers in distress as they were made to wean their babies and forced back to work.

Grandma then fed baby with Fonterra's powdered milk.

I look forward to the day I see cows and calves treated with love and respect. They are not a commodity. Mother Earth is in distress with artificial fertilisers and the rest.

The rivers, streams, lakes and estuaries are a disgrace. Now’s the time for healing to take place.

TRISH MONAHAN

Kerikeri is largely dependent on good nutrition. They understand they may not be qualified to prescribe or recommend cannabis, as it is an herbal remedy, not an allopathic drug.

We believe that the approach towards cannabis re-legalisation and prescribing by only doctors is flawed. Naturopaths and herbalists are qualified in recommending and advising on herbal remedies and nutritional health. They have knowledge of herbal healing, e.g. hawthorn, CoQ10 for the heart, saw palmetto for enlarged prostate. We consider that the responsibility for prescribing cannabis should be with naturopaths and other health professionals trained in herbs and nutrition.

BEVERLEY ALDRIDGE, KATHLEEN PATTINSON

Seniors’ Voice Otamatea climate change, climate crisis, climate emergency, and beg to differ.

While a strongest possible Zero Carbon Bill is required urgently to avoid losing time, it is aiming at the ‘big boys.’ Individuals often just shrug or despair or demand or protest, but actually they can do much more.

With the free and easy carbon calculator (www.carbonneutraltrust.org.nz) the charitable Carbon Neutral NZ Trust aims to raise awareness of personal and household impacts, and to provide an empowerment for personal action. The calculator shows how much CO2 a household emits in the categories of energy, transport, travel, waste and food, as well as how much CO2 it sequesters with trees and composting in the garden.

The website provides a variety of ideas to reduce the nett carbon footprint. Everybody can then chose the most suitable solutions for themselves — or even make an off-set donation to enable others to reduce CO2 emissions on their behalf.

An often heard argument is that a person’s eating more locally-produced vegetables or flying less often has a minimal effect. This is incorrect. It is the sum of many people’s actions that does make an important difference. What is any ocean but a multitude of drops?

The Carbon Neutral NZ Trust was founded by its trustees in Kerikeri and Waiheke Island two years ago, aiming to declare the small town and island the first to be carbon-neutral upon analysis of users’ input based on postal codes. However, all households and communities are most welcome to join in and compete.

The organisation is run, and the calculator and website are operated by, volunteering retirees. An educational kaitiaki video is available on the website, and more are planned.

Schools, households, retirement villages, clubs and businesses are targeted to spread the message: everyone can do something.

ROLF MUELLER-GLODDE

Trustee, Kerikeri