A quick word

Several correspondents, and of course all of PM Christopher Luxon’s political opponents, are becoming extremely exercised by the fact that the Luxons claimed the EV rebate on his wife’s Tesla, after he criticised the policy. Whether or not he agreed with the rebate scheme in principle is immaterial, as the rebate was available to anyone buying an electric vehicle. Had they not claimed it, it would have shown a disturbing lack of gumption, and an even more disturbing lack of financial acumen. Philip Lenton, Auckland

The Herald has reported that only 46 per cent of school pupils attended classes regularly in Term 3, one of the worst figures on record, with Ma ¯ ori and Pacific students the worst affected. Does this mean, once again, that the system has failed Ma ¯ ori and Pacific children, and indeed any other group of children for that matter, or does it in fact mean that in this situation it has actually been their parents who have failed them? Phil Chitty, Albany

Really sad to see that there are no programmes on any of the television stations either on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day celebrating the “true” meaning of Christmas. The commercialisation of Christmas has well and truly taken over. Dennise Cook, Torbay

Finance Minister Nicola Willis can show her determination to cut government expenditure by putting all MPs on the minimum wage, with no extras and certainly no perks. By accepting this, MPs can demonstrate they really are there only for the public good. John Mihaljevic, Waita ¯ kere Gardens

Deborah Chambers ( NZ Herald, December 21) conflates separate issues in her opinion piece. The first, the subject of the inquiry, examines how well NZ responded to the coronavirus. The known and obvious answer to that question is NZ did as well as or in some cases hugely better than other countries, saving some 20,000 lives. The second issue is the simple philosophical question of whose rights should take precedence in a pandemic: those who want to keep open their shops and eateries or those 20,000 whose lives will be lost. There is no right or wrong answer. Mark Nixon, Remuera

PM Christopher Luxon said he and Defence Minister Judith Collins asked the Defence Force to come back with “longterm options for proper travel”, having deemed the 757’ s failures “incredibly embarrassing” for New Zealand. Isn’t it a pity they can’t get reliable ferries so ordinary Kiwis who can’t fly can take their vehicle across the Cook Strait safely and reliably. Isn’t that embarrassing too? Steve Russell, Hillcrest

Yesterday’s editorial ( December 22) covers criticism of a policy driven by New Zealand First to ensure sporting bodies uphold fair competition for all women athletes. Criticism is coming from transwomen fearing having to compete amongst male athletes. The Greens’ Efeso Collins joins the debate stressing no barriers should be put in place stopping them from entering women’s sporting fixtures. This seems like a one- sided argument where women themselves are not having a say, or worse, feeling they are being inhumane with their stand. Women have the backing of science and medicine to prove they have an argument. Transgender are stronger athletes born with advantages that place fairness and safety rightly as a complaint. Human rights is not the only consideration here, but proven medical and science studies as well. Already sporting records are being broken by transgender athletes. It therefore seems an unkindly thing to do to insist on a right for them at the expense of others. Emma Mackintosh, Birkenhead