A quick word

Wow, the proposed Auckland stadium design looks absolutely awesome. I wonder if there would be any savings for ratepayers if they were to build a stadium suitable for hosting sports requiring an oblong field that can also host concerts rather than an amazing-looking monstrosity to compete with the Sydney Opera House.

James McCormick, Ōamaru.

Short of funds for transport systems but there appears to be plenty of funds for a questionable waterfront stadium. Vested interests seem hellbent on this waterfront stadium. If we don’t have transport systems spectators won’t be able to get to the stadium.

Jock Mac Vicar, Hauraki.

The Auckland petrol tax was supposed to help improve roads and travel; however, it seems we mostly got expensive and wasteful spending on raised pedestrian crossings, speed bumps and cycle lanes, many of which are not justified. Mayor Wayne Brown is concerned that some similar projects may not now go ahead — thank goodness for that.

Ken Graham, Greenlane.

A fletcher is defined as a person who makes arrows. Clearly the ones made in NZ never hit the target.

Garry Wycherley, Awakino.

I have just read some bad news: ASB bank’s profit was down this last year. They only made $707 million: that is terrible. Julie Pearce, Matamata.

Does Woolworths really think shoplifters and thugs will use their customer loyalty cards? The information it is gathering would boggle the mind of George Orwell. CC McDowall, Rotorua.

I strongly suspect that the problem on Auckland’s new rails are that they are welded together rather than the old system allowing heat expansion at the joints. Mike Crosby, Papakura.

Whenever someone was late at the office in England, the standard British Rail joke was “leaves on the line”. We now have the KiwiRail version — “heat on the track”.

Brian Byrne, St Heliers.

If the boyfriend can lose control and assault his coach in public, what will he do to Taylor Swift in private when she does something he doesn’t like?

Susan Grimsdell, Auckland Central.

The English language continues on the road to hell in a handcart. Latest examples in TV advertising: New World tagline: “Find your wonderful”. Wonderful what? I always thought wonderful was an adjective. Westpac tagline: “Together grader” (spelt greater). Also an adjective — greater than what? Elaine McGlinchey, Kawerau.

Special counsel Robert Hur (Weekend Herald, Feb 10) could have been talking about me: “A wellmeaning, elderly man with a poor memory . . . and diminished faculties in advancing age.” Fortunately, I am not attempting to get reelected this year as President of the US. Arch Thomson, Mt Wellington.

Working from home was a gimmick, a cushy work habit that had no checks or balances. It’s hard to assume how much productivity there was while WFH, companies have now discovered that said productivity was appallingly low and need to rein in their expectations.

John Ford, Taradale.

The average time on the Jobseeker benefit is 13 years. It may be more appropriate to call it the Jobavoider benefit. Neil Hatfull, Warkworth.