My Account
Junk mail plea
An open letter to whoever keeps putting racist, unsolicited junk mail in my letterbox. I don’t want your racist misinformation and diatribe about what you describe as “apartheid/racism/erosion of democracy”.
If you were so concerned about democracy and being lawful, you would see that my letterbox clearly states no junk mail or advertising material and under our bylaws you are committing an offence by delivering me this rubbish. And just for the record, it is junk, it is misinformation and it is not aiding better race relations or improving division in our society as you claim is needed.
Neil Anderson, Algies Bay
Editor: If junk mail is delivered by verified postal or delivery services such as NZ Post or Reach Media, then they will do their best to ensure that junk mail is not put into letterboxes that clearly state ‘No Junk Mail’ or ‘Addressed Mail Only’. However, if junk mail is delivered by other sources such as the organisation printing the material, then householders have few options other than to contact the organisation itself. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) will accept complaints about the content of the material, in the context of its Codes of Practice, via email or by using the online complaints form at: https://www.asa.co.nz/complaints/make-a-complaint
Solar hypocrisy
Picking up the Mahurangi Matters today left me stunned – it’s no wonder Marilyn Jones is heartbroken (MM Nov 20)!
Where are these 260 hectares of solar panels and batteries going once they’re done and need replacement – to the Dome Valley tip perhaps? (Another disgraceful corporate example, but I digress …).
It’s now commonly known all forms of solar power have a short (relatively speaking) lifespan and that the components are not biodegradable. They are produced using rare natural (and synthetic) materials, and hectares and hectares and hectares are required to generate enough energy for a small population.
So why are we replicating all the flaws of big (profitable) electric energy yet again? Why is big money involved, yet again?
For New Zealanders to finally thrive socially and ecologically, it’s time to do away with big corporates all together and adopt a mindset of sustainability. This is the only way we can achieve ethical household resilience.
If somebody wishes to put solar panels on their own roof – by all means. If they want pedal power, wind power, coal, horse, bio or hydro power – the choice should be theirs for their own household, to suit their micro-ecology.
Whatever New Zealand does from here on is about us all taking individual responsibility. We all have enough resources, talent and spirit to provide energy for own household in a way that is self-sustainable.
Away with big corporate interests once and for all!
260 hectares of green productive pasture turned into an absolute eyesore of non-biodegradable solar panels is totally hypocritical for all of New Zealand – in no way is this ethical, clean or green!
Hanna Kloosterboer, Kaiwaka
Stone craftmanship
Having read the article on the new stone retaining wall at Scotts Landing (MM Nov 6) and having seen it under construction, I have to say what an amazing piece of real craftsmanship it is, that we don’t often see today.
Apparently, these stones were old kerb stones from Auckland, all cut by prisoners at Mt Eden jail around 100 years ago. Truly a work of art.Well done and thanks to Colin Christie and his team of tradesmen, and Auckland Council for spending our money on something decent and permanent.
Maury Purdy, Warkworth
