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Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor: We are not just voting for the party and politician we support but also their likely coalition partners

Letters
NZ Herald
Liam Lawson finished ninth at the Mexican Grand Prix, but was upgraded two places to seventh after late penalties for other drivers. Photo / Red Bull
Liam Lawson finished ninth at the Mexican Grand Prix, but was upgraded two places to seventh after late penalties for other drivers. Photo / Red Bull

Our voting choices have wide implications

This election is unique because we know, with some certainty, what the make-up of a left- or right-wing coalition will be – except for the role of the Opportunity Party, which seems to tack with the slightest change in wind direction.

This means that we are no longer just voting for the party we prefer but rather, by voting for our preferred party, we are in fact voting for either a left-wing or right-wing Government.

While the “main” parties’ policies are obviously important to us when we vote, the policies of their likely coalition partners are equally as important.

However, what could well prove to be the most important consideration of all in this election is the ability, or lack of ability, of the leader of each “coalition grouping” to negotiate a workable coalition agreement, and to then, of course, keep the coalition together for the next three years.

Philip Lenton, Somerville.

Franken-Key’s monster

You could be forgiven for thinking that the script for this election has been written by the ghost of Mary Shelley. With Victor Frankenstein replaced by Sir John Key, who is now railing against the monster he created back in 2011 when he asked Epsom voters to give their tick to Act’s David Seymour.

Now, of course, he is telling voters, I didn’t get that wrong, but I need you to vote for the real National candidate, Paul Goldsmith. Some (including several in his own party) think he went on to create another Victor Frankenstein moment by endorsing Christopher Luxon for PM.

Neil Anderson, Algies Bay.

The cost of more MPs

Don Brash is asking voters not to party-vote National but to party-vote Act or New Zealand First. This action will probably cause a “hangover”, which means we have more then 120 Members of Parliament.

I thought Act, and to a lesser degree New Zealand First, wanted to reduce Government spending. Adding more members of Parliament increases spending. Perhaps their thinking is: “The end (the left-bloc is defeated) justifies the means (spending more money on MPs).” Strange thinking if you wish to reduce costs.

Mervyn Dine, Northcote.

Reason for taxes

Tax pays for our hospitals, nurses, doctors, our schools, teachers, our defence forces, our police, our pensions. Need I go on?

Frances Sullivan, Kingsland.

Vote for the future

When we step into the voting booth, what are we actually hiring our politicians to do?

​Too often, it feels like we have replaced visionaries with glorified fund managers – custodians whose horizon extends only as far as the next quarter’s tax receipt and the next three-year election cycle.

But public tax dollars are not a hedge fund to be balanced for immediate returns; they are a trust fund.

​True governance requires asking a fundamental question: are we safeguarding our rivers, soil, and climate for the generations to come or are we simply liquidating our assets for short-term political convenience?

​This short-term thinking is compounded by ego. Too often, sound policy takes a backseat to personal legacy, party tribalism and the desperate search for a soundbite.

Worse still, our modern media machine heavily favours charisma over capability.

​We need to decide what we want from our leaders: performative accountants focused on the next headline, or genuine stewards committed to the next millennium?

Rob Buchanan, Kerikeri.

Lawson’s top form

Liam Lawson has emerged as a mature, competent and able driver in Formula One.

The competitive spat with Max Verstappen in practice showed he will hold his line and not be intimidated – true race driver grit. His action of apologising afterwards is that of a considered young man.

Being disqualified in qualifying is the rules being the ruler. Just getting on with the start from pit lane and the race is the job this professional had to do, achieving ninth position at the finish, his 14th top-10 finish in 19 Grand Prix races this year.

Richard Ghent, Freemans Bay.

Stiffer fines needed

It was reported on TV1 news on Monday night that one in five New Zealand drivers admitted to using a hand-held phone while driving. We must stop that right now to save lives.

Five years ago, we increased the fine for using a hand-held mobile while driving from $80 to $150. Sounds great, but it is such a paltry fine compared to over $1000 for the same offence in Queensland and Western Australia.

Whoever wins the election should look to set similar fines in New Zealand.

Murray Hunter, Titirangi.