The Press

Fortunate that we got anything

Bob Docherty (Letters, June 1) says he pays $1000 quarterly house and contents insurance, and mentions that the $9 a fortnight increase for him and his wife is not going to help big time.

I am surprised we pensioners received an increase, especially since we received one on April 1, totalling $63.64 nett.

Plus the $35.54 winter energy payment. Be thankful for small mercies, Bob.

A word of advice for Bob, re insurance — just pay for fire etc and not for contents.

Russell J Wards, Kaiapoi

Singles on super

I commend Bob Docherty and Rod Lewis (Letters, June 1). They make their points most succinctly.

There is, however, one point of which they seem unaware. On all the informatio­n given thus far, single superannui­tants, which includes widows and widowers, are not getting any tax cut at all.

Why, I do not know; does anyone? So while Bob and Rob are sitting with their partners sharing sips of their onceweekly latte or flat white, they could spare a kind thought for those who have been forgotten.

Alan Simson, Addington

Cycleway progress

Well, June has arrived. A member of the council mentioned in The Press in midMay that the Ilam Rd cycleway was on budget and on time.

Well, it’s not finished, and a little

honesty from the the grey suits in council wouldn’t go astray. It was behind schedule then, and from what I understand it is way over budget, which is hidden by creative accounting.

If the existing council contractor­s can’t do the contracts on time and budget, it is time the council opened up the tendering system to new contractor­s who can.

N Butterfiel­d, Ilam [abridged]

Existing infrastruc­ture

We have many letters complainin­g about poor standards for water and roading, yet our rates rise well beyond the rate of inflation. Why?

With a greater Christchur­ch population growth of more than 10% over the last five years, we can see why. I don’t want my rates paying for an expanding population, I want the existing infrastruc­ture fixed for the current residents. The growth mindset is flawed and cannot exist with the concept of sustainabl­e cities.

New Zealand has lower productivi­ty than Australia, and the tendency for employers to bring in more workers rather than invest in technology is the main reason for this.

I had planned to ask the PM what he thought the sustainabl­e population of New Zealand is, but I never made it to a National Party rally. I think this is a question that needs to be answered and addressed.

Geoffrey Mentink, Huntsbury

Fairer tax

A poll tax, as suggested by Pat Nicholls (Letters, May 31) where everyone pays their “fair share”, is a failed substitute for the eminently fair property tax.

Thatcher’s downfall in the UK in the 1990s, when 4 million people refused to pay her poll tax, was a fiscal disaster with £5 billion lost to defaulters.

It’s a regressive tax where the lord of the manor pays the same as his gardener, yet reaps the benefits of owning property made more valuable from the efficient applicatio­n of rates.

In Christchur­ch the average house worth $750,000 gets a windfall taxfree capital gain from inflation of about $30,000 annually, so crocodile tears of a $3000 rates bill deservedly gets little sympathy from residents who are not so lucky.

John Waldron, St Albans

Shoulder sycophants

I wonder why politician­s speaking to the media have to have a sycophant at their shoulder.

Technology allows recording of politician­s’ words, so there is no need to have a lame figure at their shoulder.

This seems to happen all over the world (It would be easy to publish a matrix of Luxon, Hipkins, Willis, Putin, Trump, Sunak, Swarbrick, Bishop, Albanese etc at every media appearance, showing this situation).

It’s sad that leaders cannot talk for themselves without a worshipper at their shoulder. Perhaps we should ask them and ask ourselves why?

Judith Miller, Edgeware

Palestine recognitio­n

As of May 2024, the State of Palestine is recognised as a sovereign state by 145 of the 193 member states of the United Nations. Aotearoa New Zealand is still standing or maybe just sitting on the fence.

On the Mfat (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade) website we read that: New Zealand’s establishe­d approach to the Middle East Peace Process includes support for a comprehens­ive and sustainabl­e twostate solution, with secure and recognised borders for both Israel and Palestine (based on 1967 lines).

If our Government is promoting this two-state solution, why is it withholdin­g our recognitio­n of Palestine as a sovereign state?

Deborah Williams and David Minifie, Bishopdale