Just who is paying the price of crashes?
It is with considerable concern we read yet again of serious accidents on our roads over winter.
The recent accident involving two tourist coaches in the South Island, driven recklessly in severe and challenging weather conditions raises a number of issues and concerns.
The response from ambulances, helicopters — when possible to fly in severe weather conditions — fire crews, hospitals and private people involved with all efforts to come to the aid of all those injured and in shock, is a huge and extended involvement and expense.
In this incident, the two coaches were driving overseas tourists to a tourist venue.
It is perhaps a fair assumption to say all expenses associated with this tour were paid for in the country of origin and not here in New Zealand, and yet, New Zealand is carrying all the expenses involved with this accident.
All joy but no responsibility to the host country, who are then left to carry these huge expenses with no return.
Pointed questions
What is the point of having 120-odd members in Parliament when they do nothing to solve major issues in our country? Responsible governance involves intervention when markets are utterly broken. Such invention occurs in Europe and the USA, so why not here in New Zealand?
Look at what is broken: rents, power costs, and supermarkets. Effectively, when looking at this, the average family of four is likely spending $500 to $700 more a month than they should be.
Equally, what about education and health care? The litany of failure is clear to all New Zealanders.
Again if Parliament does not act to the benefit of all Kiwis, why not have a Parliament of just 59 members? Again if they do nothing but petty politics I would rather pay for fewer members to do the same nothing.
Sir Ian backed
A huge thank you to Sir Ian Taylor (Opinion ODT 13.8.9) for saying it as it is in his extensive letter to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. Good on you. One can only hope that PM Luxon actually reads this letter and reflects seriously on the damage he is wreaking on our country.
Let’s hope this coalition of chaos, cruelty, and confusion gets voted out definitively in the next election. But, for this to happen, the opposition parties need to offer clear, inspiring visions and strategies for a future that can restore our country’s self-respect.
Voting decisions
Regarding your article on the front page of the ODT (13.8.24) and the proposed wastewater structure. Otago voters please think about the people you should not consider voting for at election time. I can think of several I won't consider.
Online abuse reaches the depths of depravity
I read with profound horror of the death threats amongst other vitriol inflicted upon former Dunedin singer Marla Kavanaugh (ODT, 9.8.24).
Those most cowardly individuals who think it is OK to put such horrible statements under anonymity on Facebook etc are nothing but despicable criminals. And what is concerning as well is the coverage the media contributes to situations like this that pre-empts this type of material. Both Marla and Maria have achieved hugely in their singing profession from when they were both children, all credit to their mother Kathi, herself a renowned singer.
Tragically this large fragment of society today exemplifies a decline of the human mind, to a most depraved and repulsive all time low.
It’s madness
The ODT reports (8.8.24) DCC debt will go from $460 million in June ’23 to $710m end June ’25. An increase of $250m, or more than 50%, in two years. Complete bloody madness. The council will not so much need restructure as enormous loss of jobs and activities to get spending down sooner or later.
Parking is not the least of scarfie issues
A few Dunedin City Council temporary leaders have decided that 68 parks should be removed from outside flats and businesses in Albany St.
Students and tenants were not consulted and business people, who spoke up, appeared to get very poor hearings. Now the council has proposed to place a 240-minute time restriction on 60 previously unrestricted parks in Harbour Tce. Once again students were never consulted and these students are not happy.
Thankfully two students voiced their frustration in the ODT recently (29.7.24). It is most concerning to read that even one student should think that our education city is negligent, in any way, when caring for students.
Most out-of-town students own cars and flats have limited carparks. Tenants really need parks near their accommodation so that they do not have to walk around alone at night.
I trust that those making transport decisions will listen to our students and stop messing with Albany St and Harbour Tce.
I meet several different groups of students each year. Most have cars and need parking spaces, but all stress the need for a large safe venue for young people to socialise.
No-one ever wants another student to be hurt, in any way, while in our city. The Starter’s Bar has already closed along with most other students’ pubs and venues. Students are now partying in the Octagon, cemetery, botanical gardens or even on the street. This is not what any student, or parent, would expect to be a norm .
It is long past time for DCC, university, police, Campus Watch, landlords and student groups to stop talking and provide a large safe supervised venue for our students.
Every student and their families should be proud to study, live, pursue their interests, enjoy themselves and graduate in their chosen field while studying here. Our students are the future of our city and country.
Address Letters to the Editor to: Otago Daily Times, PO Box 517, 52-56 Lower Stuart St, Dunedin. Email: editor@odt.co.nz
