TO THE POINT

Children abused and going to school hungry. Teenagers wanting work. Hospital staff overstretched. Families on the poverty line. How to fix it all? Oh, it’s just too difficult and costly. We’ll just shout them a day out at Wellington Zoo with a new flag each to wave at the pandas. JANINE KELLY, Levin I’m disgusted with myself for even commenting on John Key’s diversionary flag-changing obsession. But it is proceeding and now that our populist Parliament has approved choice additions at a cost of $380,000, why not simply add the current flag as a sixth option, effectively combining all the intentions, get it all over and done with by Christmas, and save $13 million to boot? STEWART FRASER, Te Horo Beach We are a violent little country indeed when two supposedly intelligent women can think of no better way to raise money for charity than to punch each other about the head (Gloves off: Van Dyk to fight accountant, September 30). The boxer’s intention is to inflict a concussion – something decried by medical associations decades ago. Shame on Hospice Waikato for accepting the money. What will Irene and Belinda’s next charity be? Women’s Refuge? JOHN McARTHUR, Lower Hutt Sting, Paul Simon, Roxette, Neil Diamond, Josh Groban, Billy Idol, Motley Crue, America, Kiss, Iron Maiden, Rod Stewart, Ed Sheeran, Spandau Ballet, Backstreet Boys, Drake, Maroon 5 all at the Vector Arena in Auckland in 2015 versus Ricky Martin at TSB Bank Arena in Wellington 2015. Yes, we do need a bigger venue but we also need new promoters with enterprise. COLIN MORRIS, Thorndon I’m going to vote for the Dead In The Water flag option. That’s the one with the red herring on a blue background. HELEN CARVER, Takapau