A quick word

Surely the elephant in the room regarding empty state houses is just how many houses does Winz (the taxpayer) pay the rent for while these state houses sit empty? More investigation is required.

Brenda Barnes, St Heliers.

Priority 1: Order two brand new Cook Strait ferries. Priority 2: Fix broken infrastructure. Priority 3: Ban smoking, boxing and kickboxing. Priority 4: All of the above.

Bruce Tubb, Devonport.

Last weekend we took the Mercedes into downtown Auckland. After a very pleasant walk around the harbour we enjoyed dinner and (quite a lot) of fine New Zealand wine. Cost of parking — zero. Cost of using the clean, comfortable, prompt and efficient Mercedes bus — less than $10.

Peter and Chris Thompson, Rothesay Bay.

Wellington City Council is facing a water shortage crisis due to 44 per cent of drinking water being lost. At the same time we have two-term exWellington mayor Celia Wade-Brown becoming a Member of Parliament thanks to the Green Party. Doesn’t rain, but it pours.

Brian McLachlan, Whanga¯rei.

Why can a person shoplift a trolley full of goods from a supermarket and not even be stopped, but a person who shoplifts from a clothing store gets prosecuted? It doesn’t make sense. Perhaps it is time to have all supermarket check-outs manned.

R. Edgar, Mt. Albert.

Maybe after the recent unfortunate incidents involving the Green MP Golriz Ghahraman, James Shaw and Marama Davidson (especially the latter) may learn that their criticism of others could be better without being self-righteous and holier than thou.

Ian Doube, Rotorua.

How nice to see the smirk missing from Marama Davidson’s face.

Ron Hoares, Wellsford.

Wouldn’t it be more in accordance with Green Party principles to shoplift only from recycle boutiques?

Mike Wagg, Freemans Bay.

If Scotties Boutique are being so kind, as Golriz Ghahraman says, why are they pressing charges? Can’t they just drop the case? The poor girl has suffered enough.

B Green, Kohimarama.

Is it because Australia is short of nurses that they are enticing our nurses over the Ditch with better pay and conditions? So one wonders where have all their nurses gone if things are so great. Peter Reekie, Whangamata¯.

I’ve never understood the need to include a daily Bible passage in your otherwise avowedly secular publication. If the intention is to provide some moral guidance for the masses, Thursday’s message: “whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery” merely serves to remind us that the present monarch and “defender of the faith” is in serious violation of that supposed guidance.

Doug Hannan, Mount Maunganui.

A gluten-intolerant Virgoan living in Hamilton can expect some strife this year. Steve Braunias’ horror-scope recommends avoiding gluten-free and the Tron.

Chris Kiwi, Mt Albert.

Alan Walker complains about exorbitant parking charges (NZ Herald, Jan 18) when he is visiting flash CBD restaurants. Here’s an idea Alan. How about catching the bus, and if you don’t live close to a bus stop, drive and park near the bus stop. That’s what buses are for — to avoid the deliberately high parking charges. You may even enjoy the journey! Marion Howie, Epsom.