678 days ago

WHEN LETTERS TO EDITOR ARE WORTH LESS

Michael from Trentham

This week's Upper Hutt Leader has just two letters to the editor published.
They caught my eye because of the subject matter and of their inaccuracies. The fact is they will unlikely to be corrected in any follow-up.
The first was on a water burst. Ok, the writer says a month has gone by and no fix. I recently brought to the public's attention a water leak in Upper Hutt in a major street that took almost 4 months to fix..

But the letter writer blamed the Upper Hutt City Council. Alright, the Council can take some blame because of complicity but of course Wellington Water are responsible once the matter has been brought to their attention.

The next letter was about the spelling of the Lower Hutt suburb of Petone. Change is afoot to spell it Pito-one. But the writer goes on about Maori language spelling and how it was a European missionary or two who created a Maori "dictionary" because the Maori did not have a written language.

Of course this letter writer has the wrong end of the stick because Petone and Pito-one are pronounced differently with different emphasis. And as an aside one has no meaning and the other has every meaning. Nothing much to do with any spelling.

More messages from your neighbours
8 days ago

Poll: Does a savoury scone require cheese on top, or folded inside?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Help settle the great kiwi debate ... cheese on top, or folded inside?

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Does a savoury scone require cheese on top, or folded inside?
  • 76.6% Inside!
    76.6% Complete
  • 23.4% On top!
    23.4% Complete
1188 votes
11 hours ago

We're taking the bus!

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The number of Wellingtonians taking the bus and train rose by 3% last week compared to the same time last year, according to Metlink.

Not surprising given petrol prices at the moment. But if you're considering giving up your car commute for a leisurely bus ride in the mornings, it would be worth it.

It's about to get even easier: In April, e-pay will be launched, meaning you can tap on with your credit cards as well as smart devices.

It's better on the environment too: With most Metlink trains running on electricity, 25% of the bus fleet being EV’s and the Ika Rere electric ferry, Metlink is able to move more people using less fuel than any other transport option.

With fuel costs so high, it's a good idea to jump on board if you can. If you've become a public transport convert recently, how have you found it?

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6 days ago

Poll: Tightening the belt at the pump ... How are you pivoting? 🚌🚲🏠

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Between the headlines about the Strait of Hormuz and the creeping costs at our local stations, the "fuel crisis" has moved from the news to our wallets.

A recent opinion piece in The Post suggested that Wellington Councils should be shifting our public facilities to renewable energy ASAP to keep our rates from being vulnerable to these global fuel hikes. It’s a big conversation for the city, but what about your daily commute?

We want to know: With fuel prices staying high for the foreseeable future, are you changing how you get around the capital?

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Tightening the belt at the pump ... How are you pivoting? 🚌🚲🏠
  • 18.9% Yes – I’m a bus/train user
    18.9% Complete
  • 6.1% Dusting off the bike
    6.1% Complete
  • 6.1% Working from home
    6.1% Complete
  • 62.2% Nope, same as always
    62.2% Complete
  • 6.6% Other (Tell us your strategy in the comments!)
    6.6% Complete
196 votes