Electoral reform report safe and disappointing
The recently released consultation document on electoral reform looks politically safe and is terribly disappointing.
Beyond coat-tailing threshold changes, it does little but attempt to make our sclerotic democratic systems a bit more efficient and it does not even discuss measures to make Parliament a better servant of the people.
Surely it erodes credibility to omit mention of citizens’ safeguards like: binding referenda to control agendas undisclosed at election, recall legislation provisions to rein in MPs who go wildly off-piste, or the possibility for re-creating an upper house to share the administrative load.
Simply expanding and slightly tweaking what we have got, that looks ever-less capable of timely, constructive responses to change, is simply doing the same thing, while claiming there will be a different result.
David Cohen
Kew
Bilingual signs backed
There will be many letters on this topic, however I would like to put in support for bilingual signs, should they be instituted. Many countries overseas have information signs created in this way. Those that I have seen overseas use the predominant language in the top line and English, if used in a lower line. Visitors to New Zealand would expect the English language to be visible at the top of any such sign .
Tony Bishop
Kaiapoi
Everyone can submit
I agree with John Milburn (Letters, 3.6.23). I, too, am respectful and supportive of retaining New Zealand's te reo language and Maori culture. With regard to the new road sign proposal, I was reminded of visits to Wales and Scotland where the respective Gaelic languages had been successfully included for place names/direction signage. As per some of the new New Zealand designs on offer, the Gaelic names were in yellow lettering across the top, with English text underneath in white lettering. The size of the font was the same or, in some cases, the Gaelic made smaller to accommodate the length of a place name. The placement of road safety ‘‘Give Way’’ or ‘‘Stop’’ wording on the internationally recognised colour and shaped sign remained unchanged. Thankfully, everyone now has the opportunity to make a public submission through the Ministry of Transport/Waka Kotahi.
Kathleen Baff
Stirling
History reviewed
I am obliged to respond to the feature article ‘‘The local pilot who helped settlers land’' (31.5.23) by Marlene MacDonald.
First of all, the signatory to the 1844 Otakou Deed was not Kurupohatu, alias Edward Kingi Ruru. This name is correctly spelled Pohata, not Pohatu, who was the son of Te Whe and Taniwha. Pohata's right to Otakou was predominantly through his grandfather, Taikawa. This was confirmed by the 1891 Commission which also stated he died in 1848. Kurupohatu's father, Ruru, also a descendant of Taikawa, and a relative to Pohata, was still alive by 1847, so there was no need for his son to sign the deed to begin with. Beside, Kurupohatu was born circa 1839. This point alone refutes the assertion he signed the 1844 deed.
The painted portrait is of Pitoki, ‘‘..., one of the council of the tribe at Queen Charlotte Sound’’, hence, this does not point to Wiremu Potiki. Nonetheless, although Wiremu Potiki's whakapapa was predominantly from Turakautahi, his right to Otakou and Purakaunui came down through Taoka.
Irian Scott
Dunedin
Layers of management do not a big wig make
Further to Prof Skeggs’ comment on University of Otago’s growth of central bureaucracy (ODT 7.6.23). There is another dimension of the bureaucracy which is costly and inefficient.
I was the director of the Injury Prevention Unit for several years. The unit was within the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine. It was entirely funded by a variety of external agencies.
For several years there were 20-30 staff, making it bigger than several departments in the university.
When I was promoted to professor a neighbour, not knowledgeable in academic matters, congratulated me by saying “well done, you’re a big wig in the uni now”.
She was incredulous when I advised her that there were five layers of line management above me.
A Byzantine system which continues to this day.
Emeritus Prof John Langley
Lake Hawea
A step too far
The connecting steps between Iona St and Haig St Mornington should be a welcome shortcut between residential properties.
From what I see on the steps, it looks like a dog’s dunny.
The public walkway continues up to Eglinton Rd, but the lower section is disgusting.
Maurice Boyle
Dunedin
