Letters: A new model for our power market is needed
The nuclear option
As always during the winter months, our energy shortage issues are again brought up. But surely we have our head in the sand to some degree, by which I mean why can't New Zealand bury the past and re-evaluate the potential of nuclear energy.
The technology has come a long way and is very efficient, so why not?
It would be a game-changer but would call for some very definitive and brave decision-making from our politicians, which, unfortunately, is a rare event.
Paul Beck, West Harbour.
Indigenous people's rights
Guy Body's cartoon (July 14) depicting our Deputy Prime Minister defending New Zealand's sovereignty with a toy sword and a trash-can lid while trampling on a Māori sovereignty flag against the United Nations headquarters adds a little humour to this important issue.
Twice recently a UN Special Rapporteur has expressed their concern to our Government about the erosion of indigenous people's rights.
The Government has responded with indignation, so this raises the issue of the role of the UN and what powers it should have to influence decisions of all nations.
We live in global society, so if we wish to carry forward an ever-advancing civilisation, then we must solve the problem of just global governance.
Consultation on this issue is the need of the age we live in as the problems of anthropogenic climate change and justice for indigenous peoples must be solved at a global level.
The UN Security Council has the responsibility to ensure peace with justice and, as most people agree, needs the power of veto to be removed to function effectively.
So why couldn't we, through our Government, lead efforts to ensure this happens? Consultation on UN reform is not as simple or sexy as ending bottom trawling but one can suggest it is far more important!
Dennis Worley, Birkenhead.
Anger at actions
Antisemitism is not an appropriate term to describe many of today's protests. People are furious with Israel for what it is doing in Gaza. Israel is killing mothers and children.
Protests, legal or not, are against what is being done to Gaza and its people. It has nothing to do with antisemitism.
Christine Henare, Miranda.
All we are saying is ...
President Trump has warned nations that the United States will withhold miltary aid in future conflicts unless nations ramp up their defence spending. Nations across the globe have rushed to order weapons.
Including Denmark, a peace-loving nation that will increase spending by about US$7 billion ($11.7b) over the next two years.
The main beneficiary will be the US arms industry. Business has never been so good.
The massive increase in defence spending is a colossal waste. Nations will have no money left to spend on infrastructure or hospitals or schools.
When will this madness stop?
Now is the time for people to insist that their leaders give peace a chance. Now is the time to negotiate. If peace is not given a chance, it will only take one person to press the button which will light a massive bonfire that could wipe out billions of lives.
Johann Nordberg, Paeroa.
Health system concerns
Having listened to two highly respected doctors on the TV programme Q&A, it is very concerning to see the direction in which our health minister is driving.
Basically, the doctors are saying that health will become Americanised with the private system taking control.
It was obvious from the interview that both doctors were strongly in favour of a tax system that directly supported health and quoted several European countries that did exactly this.
Conservative governments support a vision of less public service and more private enterprise but health is, or should be, one of their core responsibilities.
Reg Dempster, Albany.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NZ Herald
3 minutes ago
- NZ Herald
Run it straight concerns ignored by Government officials before death
A politician's concerns about the 'dangerous' social media trend 'run it straight' arriving in New Zealand fell on deaf ears after he was told by a minister's office the Government didn't want to be involved. Now, documents released to the Herald under the Official Information Act (OIA) have shown how
Scoop
3 minutes ago
- Scoop
Community Coalition Backs Māori Wards
Press Release – For Wards Hawke's Bay Called For Wards Hawkes Bay, the multicultural group of people from across the political spectrum has come together because Mori wards are better for all, organisers say. A Hawke's Bay community coalition has been formed to back Māori wards at referendums in September. Called 'For Wards Hawke's Bay', the multicultural group of people from across the political spectrum has come together because Māori wards are better for all, organisers say. The group's public launch on Wednesday will be chaired by former Hawke's Bay Regional Council chairman Rex Graham. 'I am really happy to support this endeavour to secure Maori wards for our region,' Graham says. 'Maori wards add to our democracy and fit into its essential principles of 'one person one vote' and accountability to the electorate.' Speakers at Wednesday's launch at the Clive Hall will include Hastings Presbyterian minister the Rev Jill McDonald, Hastings Takitimu Māori Ward councillor Heather Te Au-Skipworth, President of the Hawke's Bay Multicultural society Rizwaana Latiff, and Hayley Whittaker from the Public Service Association. All supporters of Māori wards are welcome to attend the meeting on Wednesday July 23 at the Clive Hall. Doors open at 5pm and the brief speeches are from 5.30 to 6pm. For Wards Hawke's Bay co-ordinator Neill Gordon says Hawke's Bay is coming together to support Māori Wards. 'For Wards Hawke's Bay is a community coalition of people from throughout the region – business and community leaders, old and young, tangata whenua and tangata tiriti, workers, faith leaders . . . who all recognise that Māori having a seat at the decision-making table means better decisions for all.' Hawke's Bay councils are among 42 nationwide holding a Māori wards referendum with the local body election postal vote that opens September 9 and closes October 11. Wairoa was the first council in New Zealand to introduce a Māori ward following a referendum in 2019. Voters there will take part in the Hawke's Bay Regional Council referendum. Historically, Mãori have been significantly under-represented in local government. In Napier there have been just three Māori councillors in 150 years and just a handful in Hastings. Candidates standing in Māori wards are elected by voters on the Māori roll, the same as for the Māori seats in Parliament. It's the same democratic principle as with rural council wards, which ensure people in remote areas have guaranteed representation and their voice isn't swamped by larger urban populations. There are no extra costs and councils with existing Māori wards say it saves money because better decisions are made for all, consultation happens properly and court cases are avoided. Gordon says that 'Democracy is many things – MMP, First Past the Post, a House of Lords . . . Democracy comes in many flavours. Fundamentally, democracy is about ensuring fair representation and that's exactly what Māori wards are designed to do.' 'No matter who we are or where we come from, most of us want a future where people and the environment are well cared for. 'But some people and groups are trying to divide us, and divert us from these concerns that matter to so many of us. At times, this division has meant our councils are not able to make the best decisions for our long term, ones that put care for people and our environment first. 'Māori wards have been a positive solution. By bringing in Māori culture, knowledge and ways of life, councils have become a better reflection of our communities and our shared concerns. Māori ward councillors have helped harness our collective strength by weaving our communities together so our councils can make better, long-term decisions that benefit all of us, and the places we love.'
Scoop
33 minutes ago
- Scoop
Community Coalition Backs Māori Wards
A Hawke's Bay community coalition has been formed to back Māori wards at referendums in September. Called 'For Wards Hawke's Bay', the multicultural group of people from across the political spectrum has come together because Māori wards are better for all, organisers say. The group's public launch on Wednesday will be chaired by former Hawke's Bay Regional Council chairman Rex Graham. "I am really happy to support this endeavour to secure Maori wards for our region," Graham says. "Maori wards add to our democracy and fit into its essential principles of 'one person one vote' and accountability to the electorate." Speakers at Wednesday's launch at the Clive Hall will include Hastings Presbyterian minister the Rev Jill McDonald, Hastings Takitimu Māori Ward councillor Heather Te Au-Skipworth, President of the Hawke's Bay Multicultural society Rizwaana Latiff, and Hayley Whittaker from the Public Service Association. All supporters of Māori wards are welcome to attend the meeting on Wednesday July 23 at the Clive Hall. Doors open at 5pm and the brief speeches are from 5.30 to 6pm. For Wards Hawke's Bay co-ordinator Neill Gordon says Hawke's Bay is coming together to support Māori Wards. 'For Wards Hawke's Bay is a community coalition of people from throughout the region - business and community leaders, old and young, tangata whenua and tangata tiriti, workers, faith leaders . . . who all recognise that Māori having a seat at the decision-making table means better decisions for all.' Advertisement - scroll to continue reading Hawke's Bay councils are among 42 nationwide holding a Māori wards referendum with the local body election postal vote that opens September 9 and closes October 11. Wairoa was the first council in New Zealand to introduce a Māori ward following a referendum in 2019. Voters there will take part in the Hawke's Bay Regional Council referendum. Historically, Mãori have been significantly under-represented in local government. In Napier there have been just three Māori councillors in 150 years and just a handful in Hastings. Candidates standing in Māori wards are elected by voters on the Māori roll, the same as for the Māori seats in Parliament. It's the same democratic principle as with rural council wards, which ensure people in remote areas have guaranteed representation and their voice isn't swamped by larger urban populations. There are no extra costs and councils with existing Māori wards say it saves money because better decisions are made for all, consultation happens properly and court cases are avoided. Gordon says that 'Democracy is many things – MMP, First Past the Post, a House of Lords . . . Democracy comes in many flavours. Fundamentally, democracy is about ensuring fair representation and that's exactly what Māori wards are designed to do.' 'No matter who we are or where we come from, most of us want a future where people and the environment are well cared for. 'But some people and groups are trying to divide us, and divert us from these concerns that matter to so many of us. At times, this division has meant our councils are not able to make the best decisions for our long term, ones that put care for people and our environment first. 'Māori wards have been a positive solution. By bringing in Māori culture, knowledge and ways of life, councils have become a better reflection of our communities and our shared concerns. Māori ward councillors have helped harness our collective strength by weaving our communities together so our councils can make better, long-term decisions that benefit all of us, and the places we love.'
