Nats have never been inclusive

My response to Todd Muller’s opening speech as new National Party leader is that the Nats have never been an inclusive party. Their focus has always been on business, and supporting the already successful members of the community. That is evident by their historic neglect of public services and social housing etc (particularly under John Key).

Of course the party would deny that and quote spurious public spending figures, but if Muller really wants to stand for all of New Zealand, as he said, then he needs to not just talk, but bring about a real change in the party. That would mean a move away from purely populist policies of tax reduction, which mostly benefit higher earners, and result in neglect of public services, beneficiaries, health and education.

If he wants to earn the trust of New Zealanders, he would need to support public services, as well as raising the minimum wage for low-income earners and benefits for those who cannot work, not penalising and treating them harshly, as is the usual Nats method.

Marek Plesner, Napier [abridged]

No change of rhetoric

National may have a change of leadership, but that does not mean the party rhetoric will change. It amazes me how National believe they are the only party that can run the economy. Look how Key and English ran it. To the ground, by selling off assets to foreign ownership and stripping infrastructure. As the old adage says, ‘‘You can put lipstick on a pig, but at the end of the day, it’s still a pig.’’

Trevor Tofts, Island Bay

Kaye will have her day

Was it because Nikki Kaye was of the feminine gender, or was it that it was thought Todd Muller, although bereft of political experience, displayed confidence to the point of arrogance? Regardless, Nikki’s day as the leader will happen in the next two years, so she will face off against Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in the September 2023 general election. Brian Collins, Petone [abridged]

Challenge for drivers

How Covid-19 could change our cities (May 22) predicts a future with fewer cars. The

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main challenge in achieving this is changing hearts and minds. Here in level 2 Wairarapa, the roads are as busy as ever.

To many people, driving is as natural as breathing or sleeping. We think that buses are for losers and bicycles are for fitness freaks. We haven’t cycled since we were children because the roads are dangerous. Instead we drive cars, making them even more dangerous.

A modern car uses at best 30 per cent of the energy it consumes for forward motion. The rest disappears in engine and transmission inefficiencies, wind resistance and other losses. Nearly all the ‘‘useful’’ energy goes on moving the car itself, leaving about 1.5 per cent of the total energy to actually transport the driver. With a passenger aboard, the figures are better, but still horrendous.

Many of us accept this ludicrous waste of resources because it’s all we know. We can imagine no other way of conducting our lives.

If hope exists, it lies with younger people. They are beginning to see the private car for what it is: a fraud made ‘‘necessary’’ by the design of cities and suburbs, and by the needs of car and oil companies. It’s a fraud successfully

Ashley’s no Poobah

Philip Lynch’s letter (May 23) criticising Dr Ashley Bloomfield and his position of authority seems out of sync with many people. Modelling by experts predicted a similar trajectory to Italy and Spain, had we not responded so strongly to Covid-19 in late March.

I don’t see myself scared into line but listened to the advice of experts, such as Dr Bloomfield. There are plenty of examples of Grand Poohbahs, but Dr Bloomfield is not one. As Churchill said ‘‘You must look at the facts because they look at you.’’

Deirdre Walsh, Seatoun

Road’s not the problem

Your headline ‘‘Action sought on dangerous highway’’ (May 22) looks like a funding campaign.

Two people were killed on the ‘‘notorious’’ 150-kilometre Napier-Taupo road. Hasting Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said was “unbelievable” to think that there were no plans for significant improvements for the road.

Hazlehurst added, ‘‘I have been personally contacted by truck drivers, people living on the road and commuters who drive State Highway 5 every week.’’ She has since contacted the police minister and the NZTA chair.

Since 2018 there have been 150 crashes, four of them fatal to seven people. The NZTA has no plans for capital works, but is ‘‘open to feedback’’. In other words, there are no real problems with the road.

Andy Esperen (Letters, May 22) missed the point.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and her team made their decisions based on expert medical advice, something that has won applause from other countries

I suggest your correspondent close his drapes (possibly blue) and let the rest of us work positively towards a strong and stable future.

Jim Wallace, Waikanae

Be kind to ducks too

We’ve just spent a month in lockdown to save lives, but now we’re allowed to indiscriminately slaughter ducks for sport.

I wonder if the “Be Kind” slogan might be extended to our feathered friends? Or, in the interest of a fair go, would it be possible to arm the ducks?

Jim Young, Lower Hutt