Two differences of significance to voters
Ross Davidson wrote that "appointing Māori to councils with a right to vote is not much different to [appointing] unelected politicians" (ODT 20.6.26).
There are, however, at least two differences of significance to the voter. The names of potential politicians who are later appointed and given voting rights, and their order on the party list, are known in advance of an election.
And, more importantly, policies that each such unelected appointee subscribes to can be expected to align with those of their party. They and their policies do not sneak in through the back door.
While no one method of representation in a democracy is likely to be entirely fair for minority groups, it is important that whatever method is decided upon for their fair representation in local body politics, it results from central government cross-party agreement, and is transparent to the voter.
Learning on the job
The editorial (22.6.26) describes a "culture shock" , focusing a critical eye on the government’s proposed Health Practitioners’ Competence Assurance Act Amendment Bill, and the furore over Health Minister Simeon Brown’s decision not to continue the reappointment of Dr Rochelle Love (the first Māori women to head the organisation) and her deputy Simon Watt to continue in those positions.
Both the editor and Dr Love seem to imply that the only culture health practitioners have to deal with is Māori. There are more than 200 distinct cultures speaking 150 languages in 21st century New Zealand.
Our health practitioners are a very bright group. They are highly trained observers and learn quickly as to how to manage the kind of cultural nuances they are confronted with in their daily work environment.
It is the kind of knowledge that is achieved "on the job" and while this is not a fool-proof method — as the mistakes made by those attending the 11-year-old Waikato girl demonstrate — it becomes that unique attribute we call learning by experience.
New Zealand is very fortunate to have a very experienced group of health practitioners who do not need reminding about the management of any specially selected heritage-based culture.
For why?
The piece "Zelenskyy returns revoked Polish honour" (ODT World Focus 22.6.26 ) correctly states that Polish President Karol Nawrocki stripped Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of the Order of the White Eagle, yet it fails to explain why the Polish president revoked the honour.
Nawrocki did so because Zelenskyy renamed an elite commando unit in the Ukrainian Armed Forces "Heroes of the UPA", the UPA being the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, an extreme nationalist grouping that Poland accuses of massacring tens of thousands of its civilians in the later stages of World War 2. Why would the Ukrainian government insult Poland by glorifying such a group?
Wealth creation
Grant Still (24.6.26) states "if you’re wealthy because you’ve worked really hard ... ". He, along with many others, seems not to realise that in New Zealand wealth comes from farming and inheritance along with property. Nothing to do with hard work.
The hard workers are the ones who are paid least — cleaners, caregivers and also nurses, teachers. They are also the ones who pay every cent of tax due, unlike the wealthy who do their best to avoid paying their rightful share and on average pay 9.5% against the average 22.5% for the rest of us.
NZ Post has surrendered on getting mail through
Postal services in the country have become totally abysmal. New Zealand Post, in my opinion, have written their very own script of self-destruction.
Instead of attempting to revamp their services, all they have done is increase postage rates, lay off loyal staff and limit delivery days. It is almost as though they have accepted defeat.
Surely with a lot more vision and positivity, a much different situation may have been forthcoming. But they clearly are in worst mode and giving up.
With provision of a fleet of motorcycles all city areas could have continued to expect daily deliveries. They could have offered the public attractive incentive packages to encourage increased flow of mail.
Their very worst blow to the community has been to shut down postal outlets around the country: further evidence of a defeatist and poor leadership model. The current administration should have been given the chop long ago.
Address Letters to the Editor to: Otago Daily Times, PO Box 517, 52-56 Lower Stuart St, Dunedin. Email: letters@odt.co.nz
