More than one way to skin the US tariffs cat
The issues surrounding Mr Trump’s imposition of duties on all and sundry in the wider world makes fascinating news, as is his support of American business’ right to do anything they like.
For example the minimum taxes organisations such as Google, Facebook et al pay from revenue generated in countries such as ours. And of course a country as small as New Zealand is the proverbial weakling v the sumo bully.
Currently this tax is around $8 million against total revenue of around $3 billion. Good luck to anyone thinking that goodness of heart and all that will make the biggies get honest.
But there is more than one way of skinning cats. Why not just make all advertising by New Zealand business on those platforms non claimable as a business expense?
It might, as a spin-off, direct more advertising revenue into New Zealand advertising channels, all of whom appear to be struggling.
As an aside, I read this morning that several large beef retailers will not stock US beef. As I said, more than one way to skin cats.
Pipes or seesaws
I refer to Gillian Macleod’s letter (1.8.25): I think she has missed the point of MP Sam Uffindell’s comments. I am sure Sam is not wanting to be the "fun police".
I certainly enjoy taking my grandchildren to playgrounds around Dunedin. I have had fun on the George St seesaw.
However all of us who enjoy the recreational amenities should also give a thought to Lynne Newall in Surrey St. It is totally unacceptable that we have a sewerage system that has repeatedly failed.
I am sure Lynne would choose to have her toilet working rather than a seesaw. I certainly would prioritise the former.
Dunedin and many other communities have to decide on priority spending. Those of us who benefit from functioning Three Waters should advocate for those who don’t and forgo our recreational activities in favour of the health and safety of others.
Interestingly the DCC is paying $600,000 a week in interest payments. This is actually the first priority of our spending.
Water woes
Thank you for the article on North East Valley water worries and congratulations to Mary Williams for yet another thoughtful, well-researched story about an urgent issue.
I think there were at least five decent stories in just that one article — the DCC's lackadaisical approach to logging sewage outflows being the most salient.
I've lived in NEV since the 1990s. I walked through Chingford Park during the 2015 floods. I think one tree falling there would have been enough, such was the power of the water, to create a dam within minutes.
This is urgent, local news. Being forewarned and forearmed against a disastrous flood must be worth millions.
Remember Ally
It was good to see the sports article in today’s ODT (5.8.25) acknowledging Niamh Fisher-Black’s fifth placing overall in the Tour de France Femmes along with Ella Wyllie 12th placing overall.
Missing from the story was that Ally Wollaston, another Kiwi cyclist, was a member of the best team overall (FDJ-Suez). It was great to see her on the top step of the podium with her team at the finish of the world’s greatest multi-day road cycling race.
An unseemly stir among the keyboard warriors
In your words, "The appointment of Nikhil Ravishankar as Air New Zealand's incoming chief executive has caused a stir, after major news outlets were forced to disable comments on their social media platforms due to receiving a barrage of racist remarks."
In an interview Taika Waititi once described New Zealand as "as racist as f... ."
Accordingly people were up in arms. How dare he say that, they asked, mostly on talkback radio.
This sort of situation proves his point.
As an indirect shareholder in Air New Zealand I couldn't care less if an eleven-eyed, multi-tentacled green alien from Planet Byrzzgh4 got the job, as long as they were competently able to lead the company forward.
I wouldn't mind betting that all these secret assailants hammering away on their keyboards would be among the first to say "I'm not a racist, but . . .".
Turning off
The 2017 All Blacks series against the Lions was drawn as a result of an incorrect refereeing decision, the 2023 Rugby World Cup Final was decided by the television match official, the Lions' series win over Australia is shrouded in controversy .
And rugby administrators wonder why people are switching off their game?
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