Rio Tinto plays hardball: This is an opportunity

Andrea Vance's timely article on impending negotiations on electricity supply (“Helter smelter: The Tiwai Point dance begins again”, Sunday Politics, November 26) overlooks the opportunity for New Zealand to reclaim a crucial hydro energy resource.

Rio Tinto can be farewelled to play hardball elsewhere.

Many long-lasting climate change, transport and energy goals can be achieved by diverting Manapouri's hydroelectricity towards electrifying the rail network.

Southland's economy can be transformed by Invercargill being appointed as the nationwide trade training centre. A subsidiary railway engineering workshop would be a further catalyst in expanding the depth and range of skills.

Now is a heaven-given moment to create an enlightened economy achieving global acclaim. Craig Palmer, Wellington

This electricity is being given away to a foreign company. Rio could easily smelt the bauxite in Australia. Here's what should happen:

* Terminate the agreement to sell Rio the electricity. Do not renew.

* Upgrade the transmission lines.

Sell the power to various industries which currently use coal and oil.

* Pay out the redundant staff.

* Don’t sell it for hydrogen production. It’s too inefficient.

Andrew Butler, Mapua