Immigration: less in fact may be more
I don't claim to have any economics background but for as long as I can remember we have heard immigration is the key to economic growth and staving off recession.
I look at where we are: virtually all our infrastructure seems to be failing or in need of major repairs or upgrades at astronomical cost.
If you need to access the health system, unless you are extremely unwell it is virtually impossible, accessing housing is very difficult, we don't seem to be able to feed the residents of Aotearoa at a reasonable cost, and now one of our countries iconic tourist destinations, Queenstown, is unable to provide safe drinking water.
I can't help but wonder if we were to accept an economic slowdown, at least until we catch up on building or fixing what we currently have, we might be better off, because immigration seems to be going faster than our ability to cope.
Less may be more, and one of New Zealand’s points of difference is our relatively low population in an overpopulated world, so can we capitalise on that.
Park up
Groundswell activists (ODT 23.9.23) have driven around the flood waters at Mataura so they can contribute to more floods or droughts by adding carbon on their way to Auckland to protest government attempts at reforming emissions in the rural sector.
The irony of this protest seems to have escaped the attention of these old cockies, just like the potential of He Waka Eke Noa (we are all in this boat together).
I feel for those rural producers who are doing their best to try and understand the requirements needed to save out planet and who actually contribute to reducing harm.
As the convoy passes through our towns, please politely persuade them to turn their monster tractors around and go home.
Just a thought
I wonder if Peter Flower (ODT, 20.9.23) has considered that a Christian leader may be a person who is governed by his or her principles, which would mean a care for the common good of all?
This would mean looking after basic human rights not just for some but everyone from conception to natural death.
Not on the same page
Throughout this electoral campaign the voters have been subjected to some pretty questionable claims and opinions, but the opinion piece from Metiria Stanton Turei (ODT 22.9.23) is one of the most appalling offerings of garbage I can ever recall in your newspaper.
By my count Stanton Turei uses the "dog whistling racist" phrase four times in her offensive rant against Christopher Luxon and all things National ; the irony herein is that under a Labour government this could be construed as hate speech and vitriol against a decent and compassionate opposition leader would not see the light of day.
I also note she is a law lecturer at the University of Otago where presumably her students will be subjected to these opinions.
If the Green Party shares the same views as Stanton Turei then in my opinion a change of government is a necessity.
Coverage of Winston Peters, or otherwise
I cannot understand how the Fourth Estate, of which the ODT is a very influential part, has chosen not to inform the New Zealand voting public of the impressive attendances, in the tens of hundreds, packing the halls to hear what Winston Peters has to say about the kind of governance New Zealand needs.
That the paper does not consider such attendances newsworthy and lacks the slightest curiosity as to what is being presented that attracts such a public response is amazing.
After watching the so-called "minor" parties debate the thought occurred that the Green Party and Te Pāti Māori co-leaders offer nothing more than legislating for a "Robin Hood" economy, verging on a kind of communist state Ms’s Davidson and Packer telling the nation what direction they will take New Zealanders in. The contrast between New Zealand First’s offering and what the Greens/Te Pāti Māori are offering might explain the huge public attendances at NZ First meetings.
We covered Mr Peters’ last visit to Dunedin in June, and the Otago Daily Times recently ran a feature interview with Mr Peters (23.9.23). — Editor.
Address Letters to the Editor to: Otago Daily Times, PO Box 517, 52-56 Lower Stuart St, Dunedin. Email: editor@odt.co.nz
