A quick word

Chris Hipkins in 2017 held summit meetings in Auckland and Christchurch on what should be the foundation of future of learning in our schools, at which 1400 attended at a cost of $3.1m. The conclusion was education should be based on creativity, well being and family (wh¯anau) community participation. Since then it would be fair to say — indeed in the 17 years preceding it — the quality of education has been in freefall. The missing cornerstones of all education arising from such meetings should have been striving for excellence, gaining academic knowledge and rigour. Until such qualities are restored in our schools, education’s freefall will gather pace. Gary Hollis, Mellons Bay.

With reference to Sir Bill English’s comments on page A5 of Wednesday’s Herald — here’s hoping that all the bright-eyed National newbies on the front page of Tuesday’s Herald don’t get “Yes Minister”ed like all the 2020 bright-eyed Labour newbies.

Fiona Downes, Hobsonville.

The article headlined “The NZ Police trial, DNA and ‘genetic informants’ — are we ready?” by Paige McElhinney on Thursday, raises concerns about the possible suggested misuse of DNA information by police. While we have sympathy for the cold cases that may be solved, there is surely a principle here that private information provided for one specific purpose (genealogy) may not be used for another (crime investigation). As Paige also points out the entire family tree becomes the focus of a criminal investigation in a police trawl for information, with no opportunity for consent. Recommendations by the New Zealand Law Commission, 2020 re DNA-based legislation must be implemented. Tim Jerram, Glendowie.

The concept of building on land that may flood is crazy. That consents can’t be revoked shows huge legal problems. Every person is surely entitled to live in their home without fear. The essential concept must be that of being “failsafe” where no matter what events transpire, your house must be safe. Living in a house that will flood if anything, like pumping, fails is a dreadful concept and must be prevented. Neville Cameron, Coromandel.

The people defending Chris Luxon’s $60 a week food bill because it was for him and not his family are delusional at best. As a 60-year-old bloke living alone, I reckon he must be eating noodles. Just $60 per week? What a crock.

Jim McCormick, Gisborne.

There will never be peace in the Middle East as long as the United States pledges to “forever stand with Israel”, as President Joe Biden has just announced on his current trip to Israel — unless the United States also gives the same pledges to Palestine. Israel and Palestine will have to learn to live together in peace.

David Mairs, Glendowie.