Letters to the Editor: Something needs to be done to stop public transport violence; why would I leave my Aussie bank?
Bus drivers need to be better protected from violence, a reader says.
Violence on public transport
You have to agree with Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown that any action of this kind is totally unacceptable.
But rather than just state it in words such as political types like him do, why can we not pass a law that hands out a really strong deterrent for such things? And ideally, make it mandatory.
That would not only involve buses but all first responders such as police, fire and ambulance and while at it, include nurses and hospital staff as well. But simply paying lip service to the problem just won’t get anything done and it’s high time that something is done to protect these people.
Paul Beck, West Harbour.
Kiwibank v Aussie banks
In theory, letter writer Phil Whitehead’s suggestion that rather than buying the BNZ, customers should switch to Kiwibank would be a solution if Kiwibank has improved its service from my experience of many years ago.
Operating out of the then Post Shop in Remuera, customers had to queue alongside people buying stamps and there was little privacy to discuss banking business with often inexperienced staff. A difference of opinion over interest due when a term deposit matured (I was taken into a private room at that point) which was resolved after much discussion on the phone between the staff member helping me and head office in Wellington was so offputting I lost any interest in going back. No Kiwibank or Post Shop in Remuera now.
I am so well cared for by staff on first-name terms at my Australian bank (ASB), why would I switch?
Coralie van Camp, Remuera.
Rates increase
So ... we have a fancy rail system that cost us a fortune and can’t support itself. Meanwhile, we are all struggling to keep warm and buy food and now we are being pushed out of our homes because of more rate increases. I wonder how Mr Brown sleeps at night?
Jacquie Lewis, Auckland.
AI in government
Recent pricing changes made by the big AI companies (which are still relying on massive investor buy-in to meet their operating and expansion costs) have suddenly meant that many companies making heavy use of AI – including the likes of Microsoft – have over the last couple of months blown through their entire annual budget for the service.
Has Nicola Willis fully costed all this AI she wants? And who will get the money? In the meantime, she can use a phrase coined by the CEO of British bank Standard Chartered, which described staff laid off in favour of AI as “lower-value human capital”.
Morgan L. Owens, Manurewa.
Honouring our football past
What a lovely piece of football writing by Michael Burgess yesterday! So good to see generations of football people honoured.
Mark Robson, Ōrātia.
Labour ignoring lessons
The editorial “Labour still ignoring old lessons” (May 27) was succinct and to the point.
It will be interesting to see how things hot up leading to the election, but I hope the name-calling, snide remarks and the blatant arrogance we’re seeing more of don’t increase.
This sort of behaviour shows a politician in a bad light and is often used to deflect from their own shortcomings, or unpreparedness.
Lorraine Kidd, Warkworth.
Wahs at Eden Park
I sincerely hope the Warriors are not entertaining ideas of a permanent move to Eden Park. An Anzac Day game there next year the fans will go along with, but any more will be resisted – as it was back in 2014.
Warriors boss Cameron George wasn’t involved in those days when season ticket holders such as myself were widely opposed to the prospect of a move to a ground that places the fans so far from the playing field.
If he is thinking that more seats equal more revenue, he is wrong, as much of the Warriors’ and Auckland FC’s sales success to date is based on playing at the rectangular football stadium at Mount Smart, where proximity to the action creates the excitement seldom seen at Eden Park.
Tony Waring, Grey Lynn.