Post by Kiwi Frontline on Jan 21, 2017 7:00:34 GMT 12
Bay of Plenty Times 21/1/17
POLY GOOD NAME
Over the past 30 to 40 years, local folk have been attending the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic to further their education, whether it be ex-students just out of college or the more mature needing to upskill. I was one of the latter a couple of times. The polytech served us well and everyone knew what the polytech stood for. For some reason, the name has changed to something with no credibility except to maybe 5 per cent of the population with all the costs associated with a name change.
Toi Ohamai, the new name, has no value in education and the majority of the population have no idea what it means. The Bay poly earned its deserved reputation whereas this new name means nothing. All of a sudden the institute of technology has a new direction. They sponsor a rugby sevens tournament in Rotorua and then advertise courses to study sport health and fitness.
I find this change in direction most puzzling, as I do the name change Bay Of Plenty Polytechnic was a respected name/institution earned over many years. The change of name to a Maori title in my opinion will get no respect from 95 per cent of the population.
PETER TURNER
Pyes Pa
Bay of Plenty Times 20/1/17
NO COMPRENDE
I have no doubt that Tommy Kapai is a great writer/author, and I would like to be able to read his columns week-by-week except that as time goes by there are more and more Maori words in them that I do not understand. And I find this very frustrating. I do of course have the choice of, if I really want to read his columns I could learn the Maori language, but I choose not to. I write this to express my disapproval at an “English” paper having so many non-English words in it, and without translations.
(Abridged)
GRANT DENGATE
Greerton
Weekend Sun / Sunlive 20/1/17
NEEDED: A NZ DAY FOR ALL
I came to this country from England in 1973, and throughout the last 43 years I've never understood why the focus of our National Day is almost exclusively on Maori.
For a few years the name was changed to New Zealand Day, far more appropriate because non-Maori are part of the country's history too, and should be celebrated in their cultural manner as well.
The offensive shenanigans that occur most years at Waitangi demean the Crown and its ministers, and turn the celebrations into an embarrassing farce.
Overseas visitors and new immigrants must surely shake their heads in dismay at the carry-on and lack of dignity.
Perhaps a referendum could be held on returning February 6 to New Zealand Day so we can all feel that it's our day too, and not just a Maori one.
M GUY,
Otumoetai.
POLY GOOD NAME
Over the past 30 to 40 years, local folk have been attending the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic to further their education, whether it be ex-students just out of college or the more mature needing to upskill. I was one of the latter a couple of times. The polytech served us well and everyone knew what the polytech stood for. For some reason, the name has changed to something with no credibility except to maybe 5 per cent of the population with all the costs associated with a name change.
Toi Ohamai, the new name, has no value in education and the majority of the population have no idea what it means. The Bay poly earned its deserved reputation whereas this new name means nothing. All of a sudden the institute of technology has a new direction. They sponsor a rugby sevens tournament in Rotorua and then advertise courses to study sport health and fitness.
I find this change in direction most puzzling, as I do the name change Bay Of Plenty Polytechnic was a respected name/institution earned over many years. The change of name to a Maori title in my opinion will get no respect from 95 per cent of the population.
PETER TURNER
Pyes Pa
Bay of Plenty Times 20/1/17
NO COMPRENDE
I have no doubt that Tommy Kapai is a great writer/author, and I would like to be able to read his columns week-by-week except that as time goes by there are more and more Maori words in them that I do not understand. And I find this very frustrating. I do of course have the choice of, if I really want to read his columns I could learn the Maori language, but I choose not to. I write this to express my disapproval at an “English” paper having so many non-English words in it, and without translations.
(Abridged)
GRANT DENGATE
Greerton
Weekend Sun / Sunlive 20/1/17
NEEDED: A NZ DAY FOR ALL
I came to this country from England in 1973, and throughout the last 43 years I've never understood why the focus of our National Day is almost exclusively on Maori.
For a few years the name was changed to New Zealand Day, far more appropriate because non-Maori are part of the country's history too, and should be celebrated in their cultural manner as well.
The offensive shenanigans that occur most years at Waitangi demean the Crown and its ministers, and turn the celebrations into an embarrassing farce.
Overseas visitors and new immigrants must surely shake their heads in dismay at the carry-on and lack of dignity.
Perhaps a referendum could be held on returning February 6 to New Zealand Day so we can all feel that it's our day too, and not just a Maori one.
M GUY,
Otumoetai.