The Weekend Sun
43
Rena fund: Islands’ name-change big money waster Not everyone’s effort rewarded
Last week I read with utter disbelief about a decision made by the Land Information Minister to officially name the country’s two main islands the North and South islands – or the te reo names Te Ika-a-Maui (north), and Te Waipounamu (south). Apparently, the naming process came about because we hadn’t officially named the islands yet – but now what they’ve been officially named is what we’ve called them for decades. Further, I read, the New Zealand Geographic Board says a total cost of recommending the names couldn’t be quantified “due to the several years the proposals have been under consideration” but it estimates the proposal’s notification and advertising
this year cost $6161.37 and the board also paid two contractors $3012.20 for helping process submissions. I cannot believe this. If the names weren’t official, couldn’t they have been signed off in Parliament by the Governor General? What a waste of time and money to officially name the islands the same names – they’ve featured on maps all around the world for decades. I have no problem with Maori versions of the names being included but I think the process of officially naming the islands is absurd really. This country’s taxpayers work their butts off to make a living – and pay taxes doing so – just for bureaucracies to spend money willy nilly on official namings.
A similar case happened in Whangarei in 2007 when the same New Zealand Geographic Board decided Hatea River should be re-named Hātea River. Initially, it was to be renamed Hoteo River. This was found to be a “spelling mistake”, and the re-spell occurred. The Whangarei District Council even debated holding a referendum on the issue, which could have cost up to $80,000 had it gone ahead. I’m unsure of the full cost of this particular name change, but the same concern is felt here. Why are we spending so much taxpayer money on such things? Surely, there are more pressing projects that require funding? R Shaw, Te Puna.
The recipients of the donated $1 million Mediterranean Shipping Company’s Rena Recovery Fund have been announced recently. The main beneficiaries are the residents of Motiti Island, receiving some $366,000, working out at some $13,500 each for the 27 residents; this is according to Census figures. But wait there's more. The residents of Motiti Island are being offered a cellphone tower, sealed road, barge landing and a 10 metre piled wharf if they agree to leaving the grounded cargo ship Rena on Astrolabe Reef. It seems extraordinary that 27 people can extract bribes of this magnitude. Are their views more important than the rest of Tauranga? So what’s on offer for us? Paying off Route K would be an excellent idea. Then there’s the $11 million Limitation Fund, which has been set up to compensate business owners for provable losses. Recent news articles have stated “large compensation claims are also expected to be lodged by Maori hapu and iwi for the outpouring of effort”. Is “outpouring effort” a different kind of effort to that of the 9000 people who helped clean up the beaches during the crisis, thus the need for “large compensation”. Are the 9000 people being offered any compensation? Well no. But then their efforts weren’t “outpouring”. It would be nice to think all members of our community would be prepared to contribute without the need for reward. And if there is some reward, then all would share in it. Lotto win for iwi? Then this is Big Wednesday. R Prince, Welcome Bay.
City driving mad Tauranga, you really embarrass and disappoint me. After spending much of my life living in the metropolis of Auckland City, I thought I had seen it all in terms of bad driving. But I’m sorry, this city really takes it to another level. Seriously, are you people all there upstairs? Did your driver licence come from the back of a Weetbix packet? Surely everybody I share the road with each morning at 7am isn’t late for work, giving them the half-hearted excuse to drive like a nutcase. Is it that hard to stay in your lane at the Hairini and Maungatapu roundabouts; and to not brush your hair, talk on the phone, feed your kids in the passenger seat, overtake in a 50 km/h zone, overtake on double yellow lines, cut corners, not indicate, run red lights, or to look both ways before exiting a driveway. No, I didn’t think so, but unfortunately for some residents of this fine city it seems to be an impossible task. We only need to took at news articles regarding car crashes to realise this city’s driving habits are appalling. Although, it does amaze me how some people are still bewildered as to why this happens. Take a look around you people, maybe you are part of the problem. Wouldn’t it be good if someone could wave the magic wand, say ‘A-haaaaa’ and this ever-growing and concerning state of affairs on our roads would disappear? Sadly, after experiencing all of the above everyday, the likelyhood of this is extremely slim. Safe driving everyone, and remember to share and care. Alan Partridge, Welcome Bay .
Apply online to celebrate your savings on us. www.tsbbank.co.nz/TSB.aspx/WebSaver (Enter promo code DINE) Cnr Wharf & Willow Streets, Tauranga 0800 TSB Bank
Bank better
A Disclosure Statement is available from TSB Bank Ltd. WebSaver: Interest rates are subject to change without notice. No EFTPOS, ATM transactions, or third party payments are permitted. Account interest is calculated daily and paid monthly on the last business day of each month. No interest is calculated on the days where the balance falls below $1,000. The TSB Bank Monthly Cash Draw takes place on the last business day of every month until 31 December 2014. Additional chances to win from other TSB Bank products and services may be included from time to time. Voucher offer: One account per person. Offer available until 31 October 2013. Vouchers provided are Restaurant Association vouchers. First $50 Restaurant Association voucher subject to minimum opening deposit of $1,000, new funds only. Additional $50 Restaurant Association voucher subject to confirmation of income direct credit. Vouchers will be couriered to branch of application. Restaurant Association gift vouchers can be redeemed at participating Restaurant Association member establishments. Participating establishments can be found on www.dinefind.co.nz Online participating establishment listings may change without notice. Vouchers are valid for one year (no exceptions), cannot be redeemed for cash and are non-refundable. The voucher is only valid for the amount stated and can only be used in whole. No change will be given unless the participating establishment wishes to do so. Full terms and conditions of Restaurant Association voucher usage available from www.dinefine.co.nz. Dinefind is a registered trademark of the Restaurant Association of New Zealand. The Restaurant Association of New Zealand is not a participant in or sponsor of this campaign. TSB9349