LETTERS - 12 August - The Coromandel Informer

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August 12, 2025

The purpose of the Letters to the Editor column is to enable members of the public to express an opinion, about an article or a topic of interest/concern. Please keep them to 200 words or less. These letters do not reflect the editor’s view. The editor reserves the right to edit and decide what is…

Electricity – government favours profit over welfare

The increase in electricity costs has its origin in the reforms promulgated by the American, Friedman and which Roger Douglas actioned thirty-odd years ago and were furthered by MP Bradford. By privatising the power system and selling to the wealthy, it removed the welfare of citizens as a priority and replaced it with the profit motive that drives investors.

A number of entrepreneurs then took over the invoicing and instituted charges to increase their returns i.e. Increased unit charges, ‘smart’ meters, daily charges (availability charges) all to make certain of a return. A pensioner went from 30 cents per day to $1.20 per day.

The government of the time made rules to protect citizens but took them away this year. Now power prices are 30% more than at the date of privatisation. As well as households, some businesses have not managed to cope.

The need for investor return (including our govt.) has slowed the provision of increased generation, despite rising need.

We need to have a new set of rules by the government to put citizens’ welfare and economic growth before profit, even though the recent solar and wind generation are coming on line.

Peter H. Wood, Whitianga

Flemming at Meet the Candidates meeting

Hello there Flemming,

May I say thank you for a very sophisticated, well run, meeting. I truly enjoyed the precision of your rule settings – impressive! So, for future meetings of “Meeting the Candidature” can the model that you have demonstrated applies as well? So, may I encourage the Whitianga Rate Payers and Residents Association to hold more meetings, and “live stream” whenever possible.

Keeping it simple, Thank you.

Dave, Mercury Bay

Hidden Gem – Whitianga sportsground

In my previous article on the future of the Whitianga Sportsground, I was somewhat confused on the ownership of this “Hidden Gem”.

On researching I found that Council had the land from Day 1. Hoppers were asked/requested to develop a sportsground of high standard for outdoor facilities needed for the community.

The outcome was dramatic – Hoppers Development Company established a park that was equal to the best in the country with rugby grounds, soccer grounds, tennis courts, netball courts and provisions for indoor activities. The land was zoned with Reserve Status by Council who, in their plan, would complete the development and put in meeting rooms, assembly hall etc.

A committee was set up to complete this programme and, whilst requesting funding from the ratepayers, have not been successful in any decision being made. It is similar to the Medical Centre debacle which was luckily resolved.

Back to the present – in my previous article I proposed that the Sportsground would have to be sold for the following reasons:

1. To pay back Hoppers/Waterways for work done to develop the sportsground concept.

2. For a private purchaser to complete the project and continue with the plans put forward to Council.

3. To protect the integrity of the plans to provide the best Sportsground in the district.

It can be done – let us just do it!

P.S. This will be my last letter on this project!

Noel S. Hewlett, Whitianga

Dal Minogue on Mayor Len Salt (Informer 29 July)

His attack on Len Salt is a baseless hit job that fails on all counts.

His claim that Salt, with just one vote, somehow bends nine councillors to an ideological agenda is absurd. Having a Māori ward was supported by 7 of 8 councillors, many right-leaning, with one abstention, and proves their independence. Minogue’s suggestion insults their integrity.

His claim that capital value rating is Salt’s “socialist” plot is ridiculous too. This decision also had strong majority support including right leaning councillor John Grant. Over 65% of New Zealand councils already use this system so it’s hardly revolutionary.

Minogue’s fiction of Salt’s “extreme left-wing” climate stance ignores that Council’s coastal protection projects closely follow the Coastal Policy Statement and coastal hazard guidelines both passed by a National government.

Climate change is science and physics and doesn’t care about left or right politics.

He’s also wrong about seawall funding; the council has repeatedly confirmed targeted “area of benefit” rates will be used. More scaremongering.

Adding to these blunders, Minogue ignores Salt’s solid performance as measured by an independent poll. In a Taxpayers’ Union-Curia poll last week, Salt ranked 20th out of 68 mayors.

Minogue’s distortions deceive ratepayers, and his baseless claims crumble under even basic scrutiny.

David Gibson, Tairua

LETTERS – 12 August