Nitrate issue reporting and truculent reactions
More fine work from Mary Williams (ODT 1.11.25) with her report on nitrate contamination of freshwater from intensive dairy farming.
I have been interested in this topic and any causal relationship between nitrate concentration in drinking water and colorectal cancer since reading Mike Joy’s articles in The New York Times that he had to have published there because of opposition by vested interests in this country; the same interests that managed to have him sacked from his tenured position at Victoria University at Wellington but which his supporters and those of academic freedom generally managed to overturn.
Credible research on that causal link, both in New Zealand and overseas, posits at least a strong possibility, while Ministry of Health data establishes that the regions with highest rates of colorectal cancers are also those with the most intensive dairy farming, namely the Wairarapa, Canterbury and Otago-Southland.
Federated Farmers’ truculent reaction to Ms Williams’ work is typical and does not surprise me given our government’s close links with dairying.
Bus fire furore
An Auckland Transport bus driver recently died following a head-on car accident. New Zealand media repeatedly reported an "electric bus fatal fire" despite the fact that fire was caused and presumably fed by a motor car petrol tank burst.
The media minimally presented clear Auckland Transport prompt statements that the fire was not a battery caused or propagated situation (in fact, the battery system doesn’t appear on the face of it to have been involved).
Most, if not all, Chinese BE motor coaches have nearly fireproof lithium iron phosphate battery chemistry. Lithium iron phosphate batteries should never be confused with potentially highly dangerous lithium ion batteries, which are in cellphones and most Japanese/European/North American vehicles.
You-Tube anti-BE vehicle "influencers" are plastering world media about a tragic driver death on a BE New Zealand bus. In my opinion, New Zealand media’s weak reporting/editing basic tech knowledge has enabled "fake news".
Thank you for our Allied Media product and the team’s good work.
Clean up your mess
Undoubtedly, like many of your readers of his opinion piece (ODT 27.10.25) I was horrified that Emeritus Prof John Highton was so distraught at the "mess" in New Zealand since he left for the UK.
Presumably, having accumulated sufficient wealth from educating in the antipodes he naturally chose to indulge in the largess and grandeur of the UK confident that all would all would remain in situ during his absence.
His obvious horror, as detailed in his litany of unapproved changes in his country prior to his return, reminded me of a mantra of my sainted mother: "Look at his mess. I turn my back for five minutes and look at what you do."
Perhaps someone needs to tactfully suggest to the Emeritus Professor that self-entitled, sanctimonious chastisement from an absent former academic does nothing to improve life in the country that we love and still choose to live in.
Further, if he really wishes to contribute to our future he should pack up his self-satisfied, negative opinions and take them back to the UK where I doubt they will be welcome either.
Do our littering students deserve car parks?
I respond to the letter from Bernice Armstrong (3.11.25) in which she extols her admiration of our student community.
I concur with some of her views but with a caveat. She says we need to "nurture" and "respect" our students. So would this apply to those who trash their rentals accommodation and smash up glass and other disgusting debris and to those whom indulge in anti social behaviour (ODT 5.11.25).
The tragic circumstances of the late Sophie Crestani should have been a wake up call for this community, but sadly no. That was dismissed and forgotten long ago. Should "respect" also apply to those low lifes in this community whom inflict unparalleled suffering upon our fellow creatures in their initiation ceremonies?
Ms Armstrong also wants more "carparks" for them. Really? Has it not occurred to her many live in mixed flats, some as many as 7-9 people?
This in turn creates a shambolic dilemma for others in our city, whom are responsible and hard working citizens who cannot find a single space to park near their work places.
I cite Knox St at the gardens as one of the worst examples. Ms Armstrong needs to remove her "rose" coloured spectacles and accept realities.
Address Letters to the Editor to: Otago Daily Times, PO Box 517, 52-56 Lower Stuart St, Dunedin. Email: letters@odt.co.nz
