Letters to the Editor: There must be a better system than MMP – we just need to find it
Referendum on MMP would actually be a good idea
Much support – and derision – has resulted from Christopher Luxon’s suggestion that he could be interested in another referendum on MMP if re-elected.
No voting system is perfect, of course. And while the MMP system’s aim of giving smaller parties some say in the running of the country is laudable, we have ended up with “the tail has been wagging the dog” - minor parties having a disproportionate share in the running of the country, and putting minor parties in a position where they can be kingmaker (or queenmaker).
In a close election, these minor parties will have the final say in whether we have a left-wing or right-wing government. As Winston Peters did in 2017 by supporting Labour’s Dame Jacinda Adern over National’s Sir Bill English, despite National being the highest-polling party in the election.
That was not the intention of MMP, nor was it the intention of MMP to encourage “strategic voting” as Te Pāti Māori is now doing. And in all fairness, it is not the first to do so.
Voting in an election is not a game, it is a privilege to be used in a responsible and informed manner, where you vote for the person and party you would like to be in power. Strategic voting can well distort the intentions and wishes of many voters.
We should support, in fact request, another MMP referendum. If a change is asked for, the problem then becomes what to replace it with. There must, however, be a better and fairer system – all we have to do is find it.
Philip Lenton, Somerville.
Local plea
Kaipara ki Mahurangi voters need someone who lives in the electorate and really cares about it for a change. Six years of Chris Penk, who lives in Glen Eden, and before that many years of absentee “landlord” Sir John Key.
So instead of “been around the block” National faces who are looking for a safe seat to park in, how about a local who really cares about the area.
Neil Anderson, Algies Bay (part of Kaipara ki Mahurangi!).
Meola Reef option
Informed debates about major infrastructure investments should be welcome.
At the risk of being hated by many North Shore and Point Chevalier residents, I would propose that the Meola Reef harbour crossing option is worth a proper study.
While my personal preference would be for a tunnel – and for fast rail only – I accept that bridges cost much less than tunnels.
What is then the argument for a bridge over the Meola Reef?
Firstly, it makes sense as a northward extension of the existing Southwest Motorway (State Highway 20).
Secondly, while the route would encounter difficult topography and dodgy geology at the North Shore, it would handily serve several western suburbs, while connecting to Glenfield Rd and joining the Upper Harbour Motorway (SH18) over Hellyers Creek.
Thirdly, from a broader, regional-scale perspective, we ought to acknowledge the importance of resilience in the face of seismic risks, extreme weather events, and sheer accidents.
Having an alternative western motorway route through the entire length of Greater Auckland would be a wise long-term strategy.
Dushko Bogunovich, retired professor of urban design and planning, Herne Bay.
Flat bridge approach
In a perfect world, any new harbour bridge would be flat to accommodate rail.
It could be 12 lanes wide with designated lanes each for trains, buses, trucks, cars, cyclists and pedestrians. All this is achievable. It just requires bold vision.
Chelsea sugar works needs to relocate to Whangārei and then there would be no need for a coathanger-style bridge as no ships would need to enter the upper harbour.
Given we have been told that this is a “project of national significance”, surely the Government could make this happen?
The New Zealand Sugar Company’s owners won’t be happy and maybe they will need some financial support to build the new factory. Or the site could be seized under the Public Works Act.
Glen Stanton, Mairangi Bay.
Bridging finance
So, there will be another feasibility study for a second harbour crossing and we already have one that cost $100 million? Really?
Jackie Wilkinson, Whangārei.
Get on board
It was disappointing to see Chris Hipkins ridiculing the announcement of the next move towards another harbour crossing. The project is clearly vital and should not be politicised, even in an election year.
This project will span several governments going forward - one of which he or a Labour successor will probably be involved in at some stage.
Better he take the chance to have his party involved ASAP instead of trying to score cheap political points from the sidelines.
David Pickford, Whitianga.
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