Wellington should learn by looking north

Those keen to boost development in Wellington may want to consider what is happening in Auckland ( Doubling homes in next five years, June 25).

The underbelly of the government’s policy to push growth at any cost can be glimpsed in the submission by the Minister for the Environment to the proposed Auckland Unitary Plan.

The submission opposes council encouraging long-term sustainability though Homestar and Officestar building requirements, and says such concerns should be left to market forces.

This worn-out mantra will not provide long-term protection for the natural environment that Aucklanders value.

In the same vein of imposing central government objectives on communities, the minister seeks deletion of the plan’s protection of regional GM-free food production and environments that require a bond, commercial insurance, and user-pays funding for containment from companies pushing for release of GMOs, instead of a policy of socialising risk.

Councils in Northland and Hawke’s Bay are listening to the global market by preserving their valuable GM-free status.

Why is government ignoring residents, farmers, exporters, and overseas markets? JON CARAPIET

Auckland prevailed ( Lucan Battison wins long-hair court battle, June 27, Stuff).

Justice David Collins has ruled that Lucan’s hair does indeed meet the rules of St John’s College – off the collar and out of the eyes.

Lucan can safely tie his shoelaces, take part in science, PE and workshop activities and read classroom texts; in other words carry on a normal school day without causing harm to himself or others.

This case only went to court because the current principal decided on his own interpretation of the school hair rules.

Will he have the courage to admit he was misguided in suspending Lucan – which is a very serious disciplinary action nowadays? MARG PEARCE

Whitby