Professionals are making the effort
There are many people like David Collins (June 21) who object to TV and radio announcers introducing their talk in Ma¯ ori. I wonder how they would feel if all the dialogue was in Ma¯ ori and the introduction for 10 seconds was in English. That is what Ma¯ ori face on a daily basis.
The announcers are neither babbling too fast nor showing off. All foreign languages sound fast when you can’t understand them.
I have only a rudimentary knowledge of the reo but I feel proud that these professionals are making the effort to include five or 10 seconds of one of our official languages in their presentations. To my ear they do it well.
They are not there to teach us Ma¯ ori. They are there to show it can be done. Robin Mackay, Rangiora
Why so fearful?
It appears there is much negative feeling in Aotearoa on the increasing use of te reo. I’m not sure why so many appear intimidated in some way by Ma¯ ori words being incorporated in our everyday speech, naming buildings in te reo surely is no different to a sponsor’s name on a stadium and we seem to cope with that.
We are quite unperturbed when French, Italian, Latin and Jewish expressions are being used as part of our ever-expanding language, then why are so many fearful about the use of te reo, which is an official language?
Fortunately for those people who are so concerned there is an excellent Ma¯ ori dictionary available online; they might even start to appreciate it.
Sue Quinlivan, Darfield
Populist Peters
Listening to Winston Peters on TV recently ‘banging on’ about how he and NZ First intend to make a comeback at the next election, made me realise how much politics is primarily about assertion over actuality, and symbol over substance. Or, as l’m sure that many would agree, an artificial exercise in which what matters most is preserving room for manoeuvre by endeavouring to uphold a reputation for political integrity.
As expected, Peters was his usual self, vociferously bagging Labour over its current policies. Yet, as always, all he did was to subtly indicate that NZ First’s political agenda will, more than likely, be
just as populist as before, relying heavily on the flux of circumstances, and need not be logically coherent as long as it is popular and seductive.
Brian Hartley, Rangiora
Dutch explorer
Come on, Winston. Wake up and catch up. New Zealand was named by a Dutch explorer after Zeeland in Holland, in 1642.
Now, I would love my country to be called Aotearoa New Zealand. Both our yesterdays together today.
Judy Silke, Mapua
False dichotomy
Russell Parry (June 21) misses an important point when he argues that cycleways are an ‘‘extravagance’’ while replacing old water and sewage infrastructure are essential for residents’ health and welfare. This is a false dichotomy.
According to NZTA, there have been 54 cycle fatalities in NZ over the past five years. Cycleways not only make cycling much safer, but they also help to improve
the general health of the population by encouraging regular exercise, and thus extending lives. Furthermore, all efforts to mitigate climate change will also reduce future loss of life to floods, wildfires and other extreme weather events.
John Gould, St Martins
Solar power
Peter Russell (June 21) made reference to an article by John McCrone that had Susan Krumdieck advocating the need for a huge downshift in energy use.
In that article Susan Krumdieck also dismissed the use of solar power because we import solar panels made using fossil fuels.
In fact, New Zealand has the capability to manufacture solar panels both for domestic use and export. They should be deployed everywhere possible, including on residential properties to power electric vehicles. Widespread use of solar panels will keep dams full, making our energy supply system more resilient.
Brian Ward, Papanui
EVs ‘green-washing’
Regarding some correspondents’ opinions on EVs, I appreciate the corroboration and maintain the opinion of my last letter (June 15). It seems to me that mainstream discourse on EVs is reduced to a dichotomy of thought that on one hand, greater EV uptake is necessary to reduce price and to curb emissions, and on the other hand, incentives for greater EV uptake have negative equity implications.
Mr Russell’s letter yesterday, citing Susan Krumdieck, is right. EVs provide an excellent example of ‘‘green-washing’’, where a virtuous green image is applied, where in reality the substantial reductions of greenhouse gas emissions is not great enough. This will divert political capital and attention to the lacklustre emissions reductions of EVs and away from smarter investments in walking, cycling, public transit, and related urban planning shifts.
RJK Franks, Chrischurch Central
Consultation waste
So the mayor wants to consult the public about changing the way we vote in Christchurch. What a good idea!
Oh, wait. We’ve been consulted about many things before - and the mayor and too many of the city councillors have then totally ignored what the public want ... so, just another waste of money to pretend they actually care about the citizens of Christchurch. Disgusted.
L. McInnes, Upper Riccarton
Shower at pools
I am aware that the QE2 pools are a public facility, and anyone can use them, but I am concerned about the number of people using the hydrotherapy pool who wear a copious amount of perfume or aftershave while in the pool.
A percentage of the people using the pool are suffering with asthma, COPD and other breathing difficulties, and this is one way they can exercise. Not only that, people complain amongst themselves and to others, but won’t say anything directly to the people concerned.
The council is aware that this is happening. What I’m asking it to do is to put bold signage up as you walk through the door into the complex, to have a shower to get rid of perfume and aftershave. There are little signs that say shower before you enter the pool, but what it needs is bigger graphic signage to get people to use the showers.
Jan Sharp, Dallington
Gunn on target
Andrew Gunn’s piece in Saturday’s Press on the natural evolution of the America’s Cup contest is absolutely spot-on. Sums up the state of play exactly.
Jane Duncan, Darfield
Retirement villages
Further to Janet Wilson’s piece (June 19) on retirement villages, I would like to comment that all retirement villages are not created equal.
There are certainly areas of concern in some villages, as Janet states, but it is necessary to choose carefully and get assistance from a good solicitor.
My wife and I had good advice and confidently accepted our village contract, which we have no reason to regret. We pay for a lifestyle and feel, as I’m sure do the majority of our 300-plus fellow residents, that we get more than value for our decision to move here.
Len Gant, Waitikiri