Letters to the Editor

 

Rates unfair
The Northland Regional Council and the Kaipara District Council seem to have a ‘winners and losers’ rates system. 
Over the last eight years my NRC levy has risen 155% and my KDC rates 110% (more than double the average). 
Many others have also paid well above the average increases, while many pay less than the average. 
Old-age pensioners like me have been unfairly penalised hundreds of dollars. 
When my land value fell 30% to $122,000 my levy/rates still went up!

Mike Vincent
Maungaturoto

Suicide seminar
The article written in the last Mangawhai Focus entitled 'Shining Light on the Darkness of Suicide' (Sept 3) was a comprehensive summary of the seminar hosted by Te Whai Community Trust on August 9. Many valid points were made about the seriousness of this situation in our community and indeed across our country.

However, as an attendee in support of such an initiative, which was advertised as 'an opportunity to start a discussion in the community' I am compelled to question the comments made in the article regarding the lack of professional development for practitioners at local agencies. Stating that attendance by the 'professionals' from Otamatea Community Services (OCS) suggested that there was a lack of professional development in this very important field is completely incorrect.

The OCS 'professionals' attended this seminar to join in ‘discussion' with the community hoping to offer support and knowledge, if needed. The seminar was informative but 'opportunity for discussion' was not available as it was also a very generalised talk, not specifically targeted at any of the affected groups attending, i.e. parents, youth, interested community members, and professionals. Unfortunately some people had to leave early. Also, I do acknowledge that the word 'discussion' does not necessarily have to be literal.

For our Kaipara community knowledge, at Otamatea Community Services there are five Counsellors who are very well trained in helping people meet many challenges in life, including those who find themselves considering suicide as an option. We would like our counselling services to be emphasised as available for all in our community.

OCS also offers many more services: Social work, financial and budgeting services, parenting support, care for seniors, addiction support, plus a volunteer bank which is expanding daily. We are a fast growing and vital local community service available across the Kaipara. And we are completely funded, meaning all services are free of charge to the public. If people need help of any sort they can call OCS on (09) 431 9080.

Pauline Wilson
Otamatea

History deleted
On August 31 a conversation thread on one of Mangawhai's most popular Facebook groups that was being participated in by large number of contributors, was suddenly deleted without notice. A comment similar to that which I repeat below was also deleted.

Being discussed and debated was an important issue that we New Zealanders seriously need to look into more deeply in order to gain an understanding of what opinions, attitudes and behaviours might be more appropriate in accordance with these learnings.

People maintaining discussion forums on social media platforms have a natural responsibility to maintain our discussions, by moderating abusive behavior, not by arbitrarily removing our right to exercise our freedom of speech to explore the issues our community faces.

There is also a natural responsibility to maintain an archive of our discussions so that we have a reference of our society's ethical evolution.
A society that refuses to investigate its faults is doomed to endure them.

Alan William Preston
Mangawhai