Student loans

Student loan defaulters may well reflect on the position of the taxpayer who has provided the cash to fund their opportunity to better themselves financially. Every unrepaid dollar is a dollar that is unavailable for expenditure on any other Government function. The worst offenders have an individual reported debt of over $400.000. Enough to fund more than a few medical operations or teacher salaries.

Neal McCarthy, Auckland Central

Hardship fund

The Minister and City Rail Link are to be commended for finally establishing a hardship fund for businesses adversely affected by the Britomart rail link project. A good start could be for Auckland Council to remit the rates on properties proven to be significantly affected, especially where the benefit could be passed onto business tenants.

Kenneth Palmer, Orakei

Cynical politics

David Seymour, aided and abetted by his accomplices in NZ First, is guilty of indulging in cynical politics at its worst. The dirty deal was hatched simply because Seymour knew that without it, his bill would likely fail. MPs who voted in favour included some — such as the Prime Minister — with a stated position against a referendum, but who voted for it anyway. Not content with polarising Parliament on the controversial subject of euthanasia, Seymour is now prepared to divide the nation on this difficult and complex issue. Family members will be set against other family members in torturous discussions which will inevitably follow should the bill pass its Third Reading. Caught in the crossfire will be the frail elderly and the seriously disabled who will hear their own situations described by others as pointless and not worth living.

Paula Salisbury, Hamilton

Before MPs vote on the End of Life Choice Bill for a third and final time, I would urge them to study the 400-plus select committee submissions made by people identifying as “Dr” or “Professor”. The vast majority of these submissions oppose the bill, and raise a wide range of ethical, medical and legal concerns, most of which will not have been addressed by subsequent amendments. I would also urge MPs to especially consider the submission in support of the bill from an Auckland surgeon who argues that euthanasia, with appropriate prior consent, is the “ideal option” for the severely demented because this would free up valuable health care dollars to treat “able bodied” New Zealanders in a timely manner. This is precisely the kind of questionable professional thinking that MPs could end up weaponising if they allow doctors to actively end patients’ lives.

James Braund, Remuera

For anyone who has been witness to someone suffering, enduring and losing all dignity during a drawn-out dying process, they surely would want a better way for others and certainly for themselves. Stories of such horror go back generations. Do we want an end to this inhumanity or will we take the opportunity to vote for a better way? It seems like a no brainer to me. As a nurse, seeing others in this situation enough times (once is enough), has made a lasting impression on me. I vote for a bill that offers compassion and brings an end to this sad and sorrowful way to death that has become acceptable.

Tess Nesdale, Tauranga

Haka should go

I concur with Chris Rattue that the haka should go. The concept of a Maori war dance before a rugby match is outdated and has lost its significance. The haka was once the domain of the All Blacks/Kiwis but now “everbody’s doin’ it!” The All Blacks should be putting their energy into the match instead of poking tongues and bulging eyes. I wonder how many other fans press the mute button until the real entertainment begins.

Anne Glogowski, Paeroa

Good on Aussie

While Australia does many cruel things including sending thousands back to New Zealand who moved there as babies and learnt their crimes over there, they do two good things we should copy. Firstly they allow the first $20,000 of income to be tax free, greatly helping those on low wages. Then banning the sale of fireworks many years ago. We need both good things now.

Murray Hunter, Titirangi