The little guys affected if something goes wrong
A couple of points following Santana Minerals chairman Peter Cook’s article (Opinion ODT 28.1.26), an article characterised by the same bullying personal tone used so readily by our delightful mining minister, Shane Jones.
Our Australian friend seems offended by a fundraiser lunch. Well, you need funds to fight a powerful, wealthy, rapacious company like Santana.
We don’t have 15,000 shareholders with us. Actually, we don’t have any shareholders. We are just the little guys, fighting as best we can for the survival of our landscape, our jobs, our freshwater, our livelihoods, our future, our grandchildren, our completely unique Central Otago.
Because make no mistake: a vast, opencast mine in the middle of where we live would be utterly and permanently ruinous for all of these.
I have been to the Australian mines that he refers to, ‘‘where nothing goes wrong’’. Really?
Here is just one salient difference. The mines in Pilbara are some 1500km from Perth. This filthy mine would be only about 30km from Cromwell, Wānaka and Alexandra. Too toxically close by far.
I think if I was a shareholder, I might get rid of them. Partly because I wouldn’t want to aid and abet this dirty business. But also I reckon that in a fair world, this mine will not get the go-ahead.
Happily, I do not own Santana shares. I wouldn’t have a bar of them.
Sam Neill
Clyde
Voice for stability
I refer to your editorial of 16.1.26 ‘‘The wisdom of silence’’.
Reserve Bank governor Dr Anna Breman’s action in adding her name to a joint statement supporting Jerome Powell (US Federal Reserve chairman) is, I believe, totally appropriate.
I am sure Dr Breman (and the NZ Reserve Bank Board) are fully aware of the negative impact on the New Zealand economy of an unstable and non-independent US Federal Reserve.
Her actions should be seen not only as support for an international colleague but more importantly as support for a stable economic world.
John Price
Macandrew Bay
Lock him up
It is with breath-taking incredulity to hear talk of the inveterate, incorrigible, psychopath, Clayton Weatherston.
He is well into the Ted Bundy class of most dangerous of criminals. He is in the top of forensic psychiatry’s psychopathic phenomena. This person has crossed the line, having no conscience or remorse and is totally incapable of such.
This person should never be released at all, ever. The law is there to protect society.
Gordon Weare
Warrington
Animal cruelty
Super smash cricket interrupted by advertisements displaying criminal exploitation of animals. Bears milked of bile and elephants providing cruel entertainment. Reminds me of the morons throwing lit cigarettes to a chimpanzee at Auckland Zoo years ago. We should do a Trump on nations that permit such cruelty.
Stuart Mathieson
Palmerston
Vibrant contribution should be recognised
Oamaru's reputation as the home of an eclectic and eccentric array of artists is a defining attraction, matched only by the extraordinary wildlife.
There’s something wonderful about the historic precinct: it is one of the best examples of a Victorian working-class street in the world and it’s a functioning community and retail hub.
The delight and wonder of it all are beautifully expressed in the Grainstore Gallery where people are invited to look, think and be amused. It is a unique space for art, culture and conversation.
I recently had the privilege of holding the fort at the Grainstore Gallery for a few days. Two things struck me.
People arrive at the top of the stairs, take a breath and look around - the delight is audible. Few visitors actually buy anything. There’s a koha box for stray coins, but mainly there’s an invitation to relax and enjoy the otherworldliness of imagination and possibility.
It’s not just a gallery. It’s a gig venue for some great touring musicians and the genesis of many fabulous events. Donna Demente is a brilliant and generous artist with a national and international reputation. She has a rare ability to collaborate with local businesses, artists and thinkers. Her unique gift for community advocacy through art is a rare blessing.
The Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust is a charitable trust and yet it seems unable to think beyond the business model of a free-market paradigm (all square metres are not the same).
It also appears the current chairman is incapable of constructive, solution-focused conversation. His verbal outburst indicated an inability to facilitate a way forward or consult with tenants and stakeholders in a meaningful way.
How about working with the Grainstore Gallery to recognise its singular contribution to the vibrancy of the precinct?
Judith Stanley
Oamaru
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