Healthcare life story insightful, courageous
Jerry Walton's account of his time caring for Māori patients (ODT, 19.7.23) was not only insightful but also courageous. It was commendable to see the ODT publishing such accounts, as open discussion and debate are crucial for finding solutions to these issues.
Instead of continuously relying on financial aid, which has proven ineffective over the years, it is now imperative for individuals who feel aggrieved to actively participate in the solution by taking responsibility for their own progress. A successful society relies on a balanced approach of motivation, incorporating both incentives and consequences, as people tend to opt for the path of least resistance when handed everything easily.
In my opinion, the key factor for achieving positive outcomes lies in one's commitment to self-improvement.
World Cup matters
I got three emails this morning, with complicated instructions about downloading tickets for the game here Switzerland vs NZ. It almost seems designed to prevent me coming! Fifa has been complaining about low attendances. If they could just enable walk-up ticketing on the day, lots more would surely come.
Amazing to see good crowds for the World Cup games, let's keep it up Dunedin.
However, I am saddened that the city is showing its ugliest self for the biggest event we will ever hold. George St, Town Hall, the Railway Station and everything in between is covered-up or dug-up.
How did this happen? The fans’ march by Netherlands supporters had to take the "long way" to avoid all the road works.
One fan joked "it seems as if Dunedin is in a war with itself".
I always thought there were 11 players in a soccer team, but based on the ODT's photographic coverage of the women’s Swiss team here in Dunedin over the last week, it would appear that there is only one.
Stuff and nonsense
Joyce Yee-Murdoch writes as a first-generation New Zealander and is grateful to be here. Had her parents arrived prior to "colonisation" she might not have been. No farms, food shops, houses, roads, energy, machines, transport, communications, hospitals, schools, or Otago University.
And not to put too fine a point on it, no statehood, no government, or law of the land. Of course New Zealand has all those things now. The question is, who thinks "co-governance" and "Treaty-led" are the best way to share them? Not me. And where would "de-colonisation" leave us? It's nonsense.
Adding up the university council numbers
The University Of Otago Council has 12 members. The government appoints four members who each serve for a four-year term. The general staff and academic staff each choose a representative, for a four-year term also. The student president is a member, for a year at a time. The balance of the five members, including the vice-chancellor, are chosen by the council as a whole.
Usually one of the government appointees is someone who is recommended by Ngāi Tahu. Currently this appointee is Suzanne Ellison, who has recently helped the university with its rebranding exercise.
The government could be said to control the council 4 to 2 as regards the outside appointments with the balance appointed by the council itself.
Perhaps strangely the vice-chancellor, who works for the council is a member.
Kiwisaver idea for landlords not tenants
I read that National proposes to allow people under 30 to use some of their Kiwisaver savings to pay for rental bonds. Chris Bishop, housing spokesman, called it a "common sense change’'. It may be so for rapacious landlords and their agents. As a tenant one only has to experience the reluctance of many landlords and agents to return bonds without quibble and recourse to the Tenancy Tribunal.
Younger people with little disposable income find it difficult to save for retirement, which is to be pushed further from our reach. With this money made available, landlords are sure to raise rents . We are encouraged to start Kiwisaver accounts in childhood to make the most of the long term investment benefits. These early years of investment will be cut off if we are pressed to use the money for rental deposits. Will this be another means of transferring wealth to the wealthy?
Observation Rock
My grandparents Bill and Rene Johnson had a crib near Observation Rock. My mother played shouty games of Pitt (a card game version based on the sharemarket) with other teenagers on Observation Rock in the 1940s. I now stand on the rock and feel connection. Please make Observation Rock safe and accessible for everyone. It is a place to be shared. I hope when we do this we are not distanced from the rock by a man-made platform. Please let us stand and sit and play on the rock of Observation Rock.
Address Letters to the Editor to: Otago Daily Times, PO Box 517, 52-56 Lower Stuart St, Dunedin. Email: editor@odt.co.nz
