1080 our best chance of saving native birds
I take issue with the robust attacks on the use of 1080 by Tony Orman and Neil Hayes (Dec 24). These letters attack the Department of Conservation’s use of this pesticide without any evidence to back up the claims that are made. The authors also appear to have little understanding of the biological structure of our unique native ecosystems.
Mast years are a reality in New Zealand forests that lead to explosive growth in numbers of introduced bird predators. Possum numbers are not low. I have killed over 2000 on my farm in 25 years only to have them steadily replaced from adjoining farm land.
The reason that many overseas countries ban 1080 is that their wildlife problems are amenable to solution by other approaches. New Zealand consists of avifauna ecosystems that have no resilience to exotic invaders.
Unpleasant as it is, 1080 is the best chance that we have of saving what is left of our native bird populations. LORNE KUEHN
Kaituna
Right to re-buy
Now that the review decisions for the Port Hills have finally been released by Cera, in the coming months the dust will settle for those people most affected. Also settling down in a few years will be the risk of another major earthquake.
This will make marginally redzoned properties safe to once again live on as green-zoned properties. At such a time the public authorities involved will invariably wish to on-sell those properties to recoup their acquisition costs.
The current and recent past owners should be given the first right of refusal to repurchase their properties when they come on the market. Residents have given up their properties under coercion exercised by Cera under the guise of the red zone provisions and the threat of future uncertainties.
The lack of any such repurchase scheme will otherwise be seen as being nothing more than an orchestrated Right-wing confiscation of otherwise desirable Port Hills properties.
As a case in point, just look at the central city’s much vaunted and anticipated central city green frame and the Government’s compulsory acquisition of this land. Even after one year this is already reduced down to a narrow corridor at best. JOHN COOK
Sumner
Tax wealth
The Children’s Commissioner says 265,000 children live in poverty. With gross disparity between rich and the poor rising the Government is choking on correcting the imbalance. Just 10 per cent of New Zealanders own half the wealth. There’d be no poverty were that wealth redistributed and tax on no-sweat capital gains was the same as on sweat labour income.
As both National and Labour are complicit in perpetuating this inequality we need a third party to give honest leadership. JOHN WALDRON
St Albans