Arguments abound for restoration
Joe Bennett (Undying hope for a ruined relic, Feb 28) writes critically from his obscure position of no faith about Christ Church Cathedral, which for many who have faith is a taonga.
He uses for reference the Kaiser Wilhelm Church ruins in Berlin, which stands as a memorial for reconcilation, with links to the Coventry Cathedral ruins in England. He makes no reference to the new buildings of worship constructed adjacent to both.
If an argument for church restoration were to be substantiated one need look no further than the Frauenkircher, fully rebuilt, in Dresden or the current restoration of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. Christ Church Cathedral will be reinstated by the community which values it, whether they be people of faith or not, and will continue to be a gathering place for worship as well as a base for serving the wider community, honouring God's presence as it has for the past 160 years.
Rev Philip L Robinson, Mairehau
That’s a laugh
It is not often that Mike Yardley makes me laugh but his (surely) satirical piece in Tuesday’s Press (As one cathedral rises from its ashes, another is mired in misjudgments) describing the Christ Church Cathedral as our Notre Dame, did just that.
Notre Dame, with its magnificent architecture, is a justifiable source of pride to Parisians and France, while the Christ Church Cathedral, even in its restored state, is going to remain an average example of English colonial heritage. Russell Haigh, Wigram
Christchurch’s turn
In 1977 I passed through Rome and, as you do, climbed up to the outlook on top of St Peters before the obligatory ramble through the Sistine Chapel. Oh my!
Many years later I was close to St Paul’s in London with some spare time, so climbed through the dome to the top outlook and was then invited to join evensong.
Neither experience prepared me for when entering the town square of Dresden not so long ago and there was a cathedral resurrected that had been a pile of fencedoff stone since the end of World War II, almost ready for its official reopening, but allowing visitors entry. Once inside I stood in awe. The skills and dedication of those responsible for restoring the masterpiece is imprinted in my mind. Hopefully, Joe Bennett, Christchurch’s time will come, whenever.
John McCaskey, Waipara
Two cathedrals
Can Christchurch city service two cathedrals, both with major debt projections for rebuilding and restoring? Declining church attendances and subsequent merging of suburban churches, in both Anglicanism and Catholicism, is well-documented and a source of concern regarding future financing or rebuilding.
The few differences that existed between the two could be resolved and showcase church unity worldwide by building one cathedral that services both major religions. We have enough heritage buildings that reflect our fledgling past, we need to grow up and build a modern, multifunctional cathedral that reflects and embraces life today.
Margaret Dwan, St Albans
Build fewer units
It’s great to feel hope again, reading Charlie Mitchell’s story (The quietly radical plan for a leafy city, Feb 24).
We believe that even more could be achieved if our council would enact legislation against wholesale destruction of trees for housing developments in the inner suburbs. Instead of six units on a site, let’s go with four and leave some shade, temperature control and bird habitat. We cannot believe Christchurch is running out of residential land, after a drive around the eastern suburbs recently where it’s quite common to see one house on a barren, treeless 700-plus square metres.
June Peka, St Albans
‘Shameful’ rise mooted
Ratepayers of Christchurch are being encouraged to submit to the annual plan to give councillors guidance on bringing the rates rise down from the proposed 13.24%.
Year on year, city and regional councils release documents that are impenetrable and difficult to comment on with any specifics. Using local government jargon, these documents do not have a project by project chart of accounts where ratepayers could make informed comments about what could be changed and where savings could be made. I favour a plan document released in Word so that we can comment on the documents using the track changes function, rather than having to fill out a poorly worded feedback form online. These feedback forms are designed to make it easier for council staff to '“summarise submissions” to councillors. I believe all submissions should be provided verbatim to councillors.
Most importantly, I would like to see an annual plan document that highlights expenditure added directly by individual councillors and community boards. To be held to account, there needs to be clarity about this.
Kathleen Crisley, Papanui [abridged]
Bloody-mindedness
It’s perfectly reasonable for a newlyelected Government to be determined to implement the agenda on which it campaigned. Unfortunately the current Government’s determination appears to be more bloody-minded in its desire to scrap any legislation which may have merit, purely because it was introduced by the previous Labour-led Government.
Two examples spring to mind. Firstly the proposed anti-smoking laws, which experts agree would help to reduce the incidence of smoking and vaping. The refusal of Associate Minister of Health Casey Costello to engage with the relevant parties is a disgrace.
Secondly the dismantling of the Māori Health Authority without allowing the Waitangi Tribunal to consider such a radical move is a disgraceful move by the Minister of Health, Shane Reti. Does he lack the intestinal fortitude to stand up to the right-wing members of this coalition Government? It’s inconceivable that he genuinely believes that this is a good move.
Ross Lindsay, Northwood
Democracy tainted
When did our democracy and parliamentary system change to allow 100-day plans as a means for a Government to pass any number of changes under urgency and without public debate?
Our prime minister has taken to simply answering questions on why a new law is being enacted, or any old one repealed, with a dismissive: “Well, it’s on our 100day plan. So there!”
Here’s a thought. Forget public input for the next three years - the Government can simply add another 100-day plan and wishlist after this one expires and pass whatever new laws it wants to under urgency. And then another. This will save heaps of money wasted on consultation and select committees. Hey, why even bother with Parliament?
David Armstrong, Motueka
Sad day
Yesterday’s announcement of the demise of Newshub is a sad day for balanced news reporting in New Zealand. Apart from print and online media the country is left with just one major TV news broadcaster, TVNZ, which in recent years has turned many, including myself, off by allowing a left-wing political bias to proliferate through reporters who don’t just report events, but add unnecessary personal comment.
Neither left nor right-wing political viewpoints should be promoted by major news media. It should be left to the viewer or reader to interpret facts and events.
Hopefully local media will attempt to fill the void left by Newshub for local news. For many of us we can thankfully still rely on the BBC for international content.
Carl Shaw, Pegasus