Kia kaha to a brave man

What a tear-jerking story about Tauiwarau Ma¯ tene, a strong man trying slowly to change his life for the better (‘‘I had a better upbringing in jail than I had with my own family’’, News, January 9).

When I read that he was born the same year as me and went to jail in the year I got married, I felt so much pain for him, given what he went through over the years.

What an awesome man – under all his hurt wanting to change when all he has known is bad. That must be a struggle to do but he is going to do it.

I wish him all the very best in his fight for freedom and hope he lives a more peaceful life in the future, both mentally and physically.

Kia kaha Tauiwarau, you can do it.

Amanda Haurua, Auckland

Covid weaknesses

It is disturbing to see the Covid pandemic countermeasures being undermined, not only by antivaxxers, but also by influencers so heavily involved with ‘‘the one that got away’’. It would seem to be the season of influencers from both sides of the political partisanship.

There is no room for mateship in the realm of pandemic management. It is hard enough getting a message across to the wilful and unwilling; and it would also seem that the Government/Ministry of Health team are studiously ignoring the dire warnings from the epidemiologists about securing our borders against the Omicron variant.

Management in our first year was brilliant, but the ball began to be dropped a year ago when the opportunity to purpose-build dedicated MIQ facilities was rejected. Not only are hotels and motels not ideally suited to secure MIQ operations, but account must also be taken of the wilful disobedience of the 5-7 per cent of people who break out of MIQ before sanctioned release. The blundering incompetence of other countries’ Covid management is there for all to see.

Our border restrictions must be tightened right now.

Hugh Webb, Hamilton

If, as some media reports make us understand, Omicron is bound to arrive within the next three weeks, why are we not hard-closing our borders for any yet-to-be-booked arrivals and all inbound travellers from 14 days from now? Regardless if they are of movie celebrity status, mega rich-listers, of political clout, sporting heroes or of insane musical talent.

We clearly no longer have the long-term economic strength, reserves or workforce abundance that we could use as an excuse to give preferential treatment and let even a single individual in, even if potential visitors land by long-range helicopter, private jet or lie at anchor on board a superyacht.

We only have the remaining parts of our economy as our last lifeline, after already having lost one entire export sector – which was our largest, too.

So, please, let’s keep it all in perspective and stay afloat with what we still have.

Rene´ Blezer, Taupo

I was moved to put fingers to keys after reading JD Mahony’s letter ‘‘Lenient Treatment’’ (January 9).

Bravo – it brilliantly articulates my own thoughts, and, I am certain, those of many more New Zealanders, about miscreants in our society deciding they have the right to flaunt the regulations made to protect us all in this country.

I also think that the ineffective journalism of today steps back from asking the hard questions of our politicians and regulators about the penalties each perpetrator shall receive. Not these recent wet bus ticket slaps dished out lately!

Let’s get to grips through accountability. Bring back the stocks!

Robert Lahman, Waikanae

Cricket failings

The Ashes cricket tour (currently two losses and a draw), shows the need for a big improvement to England cricket. While captain Joe Root and the coach are in the critics’ sights now, I (hopefully constructively) suggest some improvements.

First, remove the foreign players (current limit two per team) from the county competition. Why develop your own players, when for years you could dial up a Crowe and a Hadlee to help out?

Second, insert a quick Winners v The Rest 20:20 shootout after the county games, again with no foreign players. While I have no taste for this form of the game, it does develop athleticism, which seems lacking in English sides. Eleven dropped catches by England over the Brisbane and Adelaide tests alone.

Third, introduce my ‘‘Run Miser’’ stats which recognise extra effort on the boundary. It’s a suggestion I made to NZ Cricket a long time ago, but has so far been ignored. It’s that type of arrogance that has gotten England into its current mess. Rob Harris, Dannevirke

Civics lessons

David Aaronovitch’s review of How Civil Wars Start (Focus, January 9) is one of dozens of similar books currently charting the death of democracies. Or at least how they can now be subverted, not with military coups but with the whimper of hollowed-out institutions and defiance of norms that author

it haunts your dreams. It’s apparently an allegory for the science-denial we’re all experiencing right now. Spoiler alert, it does not end well.

For me, the film’s flaw was to suggest the plucky astronomers were lacking something in the delivery of their warnings – as if, with a bit of media training, they might have got the point across to a sceptical populace more effectively.

We now know that’s absolute baloney. You only have to look at the experiences of our own science experts – Dr Siouxsie Wiles and Professor Shaun Hendy, for example – to know this. These are no bumbling back-roomers; they are experienced commentators, practised at getting complex information over in a manner we can all understand. And yet they’ve been treated appallingly by a (yes, small) number who seem to have no grasp on reality. One of my dearest hopes for 2022 is that we all get over ourselves and treat those who are genuine experts with a bit of respect.

Holidays!

The border between Aotearoa and Rarotonga has reopened, which is lovely news for those who can afford an overseas holiday. Having become stuck in Melbourne’s snap lockdown last July, I’d suggest they at least prepare for the unexpected – if there’s anything 2021 has taught us, it’s that events can turn on a 10-cent piece. Make sure you’ve packed enough undies for an extended stay, just saying.

Back here, we have a few months to wait before the first-ever Matariki public holiday – which is wonderful news on a lot of fronts.

Pay transparency

In March, we’ll know how much of the big talk on pay gaps (gender-based and ethnicity-based) at the big end of town is just that – talk.

MindTheGap is inviting companies to join a public pay transparency register, which will sign them up to report on pay inequality and equity in their workplaces. We’ve been promised action on this issue for years, but the private sector is lagging – still questioning well-established evidence that being open about the issue is the first step to real change. I’m really hoping 2022 is the year they pull finger and do something meaningful.

A non-implosive National Party

OK, this is a big ask and obviously requires an optimistic outlook. Much of new leader Chris Luxon’s tenure has been over the summer months, while Parliament is in recess; he’s yet to really be tested. But in the interest of functioning democracy, it would be good to see an opposition focused on us (the voting public) rather than its own fractures.

Prince Andrew in court

Although there’s a long road to tread before (if) this case gets to court in New York, it will be fascinating to watch, and a testing time for all involved.

The claimant, Virginia Guiffre, can expect to have her entire life torn open for examination; Prince Andrew has been stripped of his royal patronages and military appointments this week and is no longer allowed to use the title of His Royal Highness. He’ll be expected to testify at trial and there’ll be many, many survivors of sexual abuse who’ll be hoping for accountability.

This will be a riveting and important case not to be missed.