A16 Friday, December 7, 2012 THE PRESS, Christchurch Opinion Auckland gets rebuild funds that should be ours

I recently visited Auckland and church and the rest of the country paper when you display such central zone, and his continued He was told that part of the was taken aback with the amount wait for the scraps from the table. servile adherence to his views. dumping on the democratic assessed Kaiapoi land was only Strike will not help of building and road construction New Zealand has become two Brownlee’s decision, of course, aspirations and property rights of TC2. He said red-zone it. taking place. With Christchurch countries – Auckland and the rest defies the wishes of homeowners, Christchurch citizens have earned Professionals told Brownlee on its knees and recovering very of the nation. many of whom continue to live him, in some parts of town, a that some of our most precious he announcement last tute, to strike for one day is slowly, I suddenly became aware there, demeans the efforts of the sobriquet that cannot be printed. heritage buildings could be saved. September of the Gov- understandable, but wrong. CLIVE E RIVERS that this is not right. Wanganui geotechnical experts who said that WAK DONOVAN He said bowl them. ernment’s plans for the The strike is scheduled to be T Why hasn’t the Government 95 per cent of the properties could Avoca Valley A top UK designer questioned reorganisation of schools in held early in the first term next taken the lead and stopped its Press servile be remediated, and dumps on the designs around the blueprint. He and around Christchurch after year. After the upheaval and major construction projects across What a pusillanimous organ of efforts of the local council that has Brownlee knows best said ‘‘tourist’’. the devastation caused by the turmoil of the last year and a the country until the Christchurch public opinion The Press has been gallantly attempting to find a Please can anyone tell me why Desperate communities ask fair earthquakes could hardly have half, a strike from which no situation is fixed? proved itself to be. ratepayer-friendly resolution. we have one person who, having questions. He says whingers. gone worse. useful result could possibly The Christchurch rebuild A day after Canterbury It also defies logic when 160 no qualifications or expertise in There is no question that he is The disruption the earthqua- emerge is the last thing that should be an absolute priority. Earthquake Recovery Minister government and Christchurch earthquake recovery, is making all one of the top-performing MPs kes caused to the school system parents and pupils need. The Government has just given Gerry Brownlee’s decision about City Council buildings, previously the decisions regarding the (Dec 3). Anyone who can make brought pain and anguish to $1.75 billion for a motorway from the rock-risk properties and his red-stickered, are now deemed safe recovery of Christchurch? these kinds of autocratic pupils, parents and teachers. It has been called for Puhoi, just north of Auckland, to derision of your role in the rebuild because the earthquakes have Even after being told by Cera statements and get away with it Damage to land and buildings February 20, the day after Wellsford. It is for Auckland of Christchurch, you produce an ceased (Dec 5). officials that ‘‘protecting rockfall- shows how powerful he really is. coupled with population move- Parata is to announce the drivers to go on Sunday jaunts. unctuous little editorial The minister’s Baron Hauss- threatened Christchurch MIKE COLEMAN ments meant it was clear that outcome of the consultation The Government is pumping applauding his forthright and mann-like efforts to bulldozer the properties was practical and could Wider Earthquake Communities some schools would have to be process. This makes it look as money into infrastructure in the positive leadership (Dec 4). Little new city, his pandering to a coterie save millions of dollars’’ (Dec 3), Action Network (WeCan) closed and others merged, though teachers are deter- Auckland region, while Christ- wonder he does not read your of propertied elite in the exclusive Brownlee says red-zone them. Mairehau never an easy thing for schools mined to approach the to cope with. But inadequate announcement with closed consultation turned what minds – that no matter what ❯❯ In a few words should have been broadly Parata announces in February welcomed proposals for a they are determined to oppose bright new future for schools Lionel Clarke praises what I it. It suggests an ideological into a public-relations disaster regard as a gaggle of protesters at that caused further pain. motive to their action. the march for democracy, whipped That, however, was three The strike, if it goes ahead, up to a frenzy, kidding themselves months ago. The explosion of will also be illegal. The that they are the many (Dec 5). In anger that ensued rightly Employment Relations Act per- the words of Brian Priestley, once forced a far more intensive mits strikes only in disputes again the silent majority omitted consultation process to be over pay negotiations or if to turn up. undertaken and since Sept- health and safety are at risk. It GREG BYRNES Canterbury Earthquake Recovery ember the Minister of Edu- would be possible for the cation, Hekia Parata, has been Minister Gerry Brownlee may be ministry to seek an injunction correct in saying The Press is the indefatigably visiting schools to halt it, or to seek damages for to meet principals, teachers enemy of recovery, if recovery is any losses as a consequence. defined as Stalinist secretive and parents for their views. It Such action, though, is prob- can be expected, or at least decision-making, being rude to ably not worth the bother. For hoped, that the Ministry of visiting experts, ignoring the plight of victims forced to live in Education’s information, all the inconvenience the strike cold, dangerous conditions during which has been shown in many may cause, the ministry has better things to do. winter, and failing to anticipate or cases to have been deeply even acknowledge serious crises faulty, has been corrected. The teachers say they have and bureaucratic bottlenecks, Submissions on the propos- chosen to strike to make their while prizing Christchurch als closed today. The minister, point that the Government’s property owners away from their and indeed Prime Minister consultation is a sham. But a properties. John Key, have promised that strike seems such a 19th- MARK AITCHISON those submissions will be century device by which to Gerry Brownlee is secure in the seriously considered and that make the point. The Govern- knowledge, shared by all other the final proposals, scheduled ment says it wants a school successful politicians, that it is to be announced in February, system to emerge from the impossible to underestimate the will differ substantially from reorganisation that not only public’s intelligence. the original ones. There is no restores what was lost when BILL HOLVEY reason to doubt that the The All Blacks lost, but that’s not the earthquakes hit but also is Government, along with tea- as bad as your country and your chers and parents, want the fit to take education in future being sold behind closed best outcome for children. Christchurch into the 21st doors. The Trans-Pacific Which is why the decision this century. It would be far better Partnership will subjugate Kiwis. week of teachers belonging to if teachers actively and con- Study it on the website the primary-school union, the structively engaged with it to itsourfuture.org.nz with the same New Zealand Educational Insti- bring that result about. enthusiasm you have for rugby. R DOWER

ACCURACY I’m proud of my son TC3’s costlyoptions Brian Priestley is keen to set LETTER OF THE WEEK our minds at rest by assuring us The Press is committed to accuracy. I read with pleasure your article I note an advertisement in that all is apparently well, because When we make mistakes, we will do about the New York policeman Tuesday’s Press saying TC3 land is only small numbers of people Better enjoy it know the road like the back of what we can to put it right, including who bought boots for a homeless not munted. The advertisement turned up to show their fears of your hand, but then – oops – running a correction if necessary. We encourage readers to tell us when man, Jeffrey Hillman, an act that notes you just need to meet higher being further victimised if they Amidst the doom and gloom of another sinkhole appears. Yippee! they believe we have made errors. led the man being reunited with standards for a rebuild. complain (Dec 5). The Human post-quake Christchurch, I’d like It’s dodgem time again at the Corrections and clarifications his family (Dec 4). The costs for the additional Rights Commissioner is more to install a note of cheer. fairground. will be published each week in a It made me want to tell you of a foundation work that I have heard concerned than Mr Priestly at Yes, the battles with TC3, EQC, joints repaired for the third time, Overall, these are exciting Putting It Right column. If you have a similar kindness that my son quoted have ranged from $46,000 to what is happening in Canterbury. the Government’s plans and but hey, there are disadvantages to times for the commuters of complaint, email your concerns to [email protected], or write to performed last summer. more than $100,000. Of course, as a journalist, Mr insurers continue, and there are everything. Christchurch. Don’t moan and Corrections, The Press, Private Bag Andrew was driving to work on Insuring buildings on TC3 land Priestley is rightly more the moans and groans about our I’ve learnt to take those groan – enjoy the excitement while 4722, Christchurch Mail Centre, the Old Tram Rd to Oxford when is difficult at best, and therefore concerned about press censorship. roads. However, I like the hills and changing road works in my stride it lasts! Christchurch 8140, or fax (03) he came across a man sitting by costly. My insurance has risen 200 So far The Press has blown hot hollows of our roads. They remind too. Just leave a little earlier for DOUCELINE WARDLE 379-1531. the side of the road in distress. My per cent in two years, with no and cold in reporting Cera’s me of the first roller-coaster ride I work or for that rellie who was St Albans son thought he had been in an guarantee that it won’t double developing culture of fear, finally dared take in my 20s. supposed to catch that flight. CONTACT US accident, but he was homeless and again in the next two years. scandalous behaviour and That exciting rush to the Yeah, my bro was a bit annoyed was suffering from the heat. Do I rebuild or repair on my outright misrepresentation of the stomach as the car’s suspension but, oh well, it wasn’t so long to ■ Douceline Wardle wins Akaroa Email letters to [email protected], My boy gave him the hat off his TC3 land? Neither, if I’ve a choice. truth. However, we are indeed goes in the opposite direction to wait until the next flight. salmon, not for what she writes but for post them to The Editor, Private Bag 4722, Christchurch Mail Centre, head to shade him from the sun, ROGER W O’CALLAGHAN lucky that we have a newspaper the wheels – it’s a bit annoying, of And those sudden potholes that how well she writes it. This is the first his packed lunch, and his bottle of that often dares to upset the local course, when you have to get those keep opening? You think you publication of her letter. Christchurch 8140, or fax them to (03) Burwood 379-1531. Letters may be edited or water, made sure he was all right political bullies. rejected for legal, space or other and carried on to work. Concern official WIZARD OF NEW ZEALAND reasons. If you want to question the I didn’t find out about this until It was a pity there was no aerial Avonside violence and crime figures, but the End game Whether you intentionally or handling of your letter, contact the much later, but I can tell you I am photo showing the march for nation can become pure by unintentionally printed the letters editor. We prefer letters to be so proud of my son. democracy along Gloucester St to Repent ye turning to God, turning from You made my morning when I headline in the adjoining column no longer than 150 words. A postal address and phone number are Small kindnesses are what the Provincial Buildings. Some of New Zealand has failed to live impurity and accepting the read your Monday edition. does not matter. I thought ‘‘End in needed. We do not publish letters with make life worth living. the widely varying estimates of the up to its 100% Pure marketing cleansing blood of Jesus. On page A3 you printed a sight’’ was a nice touch. pen names or letters sent to other JUNE MURDOCH numbers involved might then brand, but has a chance to change. JONATHAN RUMENS photograph of the bare backsiders STEWART IR CURTIS publications. We do not return Woolston have been avoided. We have high abortion, family Aranui at New Brighton. Papanui unpublished letters.

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