CAUSE OF OBESITY
Hands up all those of us whom unconsciously find ourselves in front of the fridge in the process of snacking during excessive advertisements. Wouldn’t it be helpful with what the experts might say about such a survey? Hey, it might even be a major cause of obesity.
BOB MAGGIE
New Lynn
HENDERSON MALL
I have shopped at Henderson mall since 1970 when it was Henderson Square and over the last couple of years have been dismayed and disappointed to see good retailers leave only to be replaced by yet another $2 shop. Why does this keep happening? Surely the competition between these shops prevents most of them making a profit. This leaves only one of two explanations for so many of them. Money laundering/and or a foot in the New Zealand door for immigrants by setting up business here. The mall needs a much better variety of shops to attract the residents of Henderson and surround and the increased population we are being led to believe we will soon have. What do others think?
KAY ROBINSON Henderson
SOCIAL HOUSING
I read in the Western Leader that west Auckland will again be saturated by social housing while areas in east and north Auckland remain relatively untouched. It seems wrong that the whole of east Auckland will only get six new homes while west Auckland gets thousands! This will put great strain on the infrastructure of streets, hospitals, parks and schools in the area. I’m sure the lame reasons the Government and agencies throw back for building homes here is that they are replacing existing homes and family ties tends to be in west and south Auckland so they want to build close to families. This is such nonsense. It will always be this way if the city is being engineered in that fashion. These are plenty of areas in Howick, Pakuranga and Albany for example that are ideal for more social housing close to public transport and on crown land. The only issue will probably be dealing with public backlash like the backlash that occurred for the minimal 11 social housing homes to be built in Orakei. I’m sure there’s plenty of conspiracy theories why the Government continues not to build in these areas. Another example of the lunacy to saturate west Auckland with social housing is Auckland Council’s development board Panuku’s answer to Henderson’s revival. One of the first steps they talk about is ‘exploring opportunities with central Government’ to fill the area with more social housing. Filling the area with people with limited income to spend does not enhance shops in the area. They will remain $2 shops and empty. This is the reason why shops have left Henderson for the Northwest Shopping Centre. Auckland urgently needs more social housing but these homes should be built across all of Auckland. This will help spread the infrastructure needs and social support that is needed. All over the world its proven that social housing should be dispersed throughout cities to combat poverty concentration and economic segregation. This can be done with mixed housing developments in multiple areas. Auckland should move to this model to make the city a better place for all.
GEORGE MEREDITH Te Atatu
WRITE TO US
Letters should not exceed 250 words and must have full name, residential address and phone number. The editor reserves the right to edit and abridge. Opinions must be genuinely held by the letter writer. Letters may be referred to others for right of reply before publication. Mail: Western Leader, PO Box 21-167, Henderson. Fax: 836 9309. Email: edwl@snl.co.nz.