Post by Kiwi Frontline on Sept 28, 2019 5:53:23 GMT 12
Nelson Mail 28/9/19
TEACHING HISTORY
I agree with Helen Staniland's perceptive letter re. New Zealand history (September 25). I welcome more history being taught in our secondary schools (serious history cannot be a primary school subject) - but, like Staniland, I fear how the curriculum will be written. Will it be, as she says, "the unbiased, unvarnished truth . . . as far as it can be properly ascertained"? And yes, "the truth will make us free".
To me, it has sinister implications that Education Minister Chris Hipkins, when announcing his plans, blatantly stated that the new curriculum would be written after consulting with "educators, students and their parents and whanau, Pacific communities etc".
Such advisers are precisely who we do not want to have input into our school history curriculum - because then, of course, this would be be tainted and corrupted by present politically correct opinions.
The Politburo in the former Soviet Union very successfblly wrote its school history curricula (and also branched into biology curricula, by the way).
We do not want political noses poking into writing our new history curriculum. This task must be left to established and proven academic historians. Political interference here would be an abomination.
ANDY ESPERSEN Nelson
Waikato Times 28/9/19
COY ABOUT MAORI SEATS
There is discussion taking place regarding the appointment of a certain ethnic group to council. If this is to take place, then surely the opportunity should also be extended to other ethnic groups who represent a sizeable proportion of the ratepayers in the city.
GRAEME C HENRY, Hamilton
Weekend Sun / Sunlive 27/9/19
SHOTGUN MARRIAGE
It’s been agonising sitting through three council meetings over the past few weeks watching democracy in inaction, elected members changing their stance in regard with what to do with 11 Mission Street.
Obfuscating, vascillating, pontificating honed to a fine art as those in the middle sought middle ground where there was none.
Mayor Greg Brownless did a good job refereeing a fiasco not of his making.
Larry Baldock, Terry Molloy, Steve Morris and a much travelling Max Mason stuck to their guns, firmly committed to 11 Mission Street being given to Otamataha Trust. Mayor Greg Brownless, Catherine Stewart and John Robson were equally firm in wanting 11 Mission Street transferred to the Elms, the entity for which Council orginially purchased 11 Mission Street for. This is true - I was on the Council that bought the property for the Elms.
Rick Curach, Bill Granger and Leanne Brown jumped from side to side depending on the motion and eventually wound up creating a bigger fiasco. Effectively they succeeded in creating a non-decision whereby 11 Mission Street will be transferred to a yet to be created entity made up of the Elms and the Otamataha Trust.
This is a shotgun marriage that will satisfy nobody and is unlikely to work. This option was not part of the consultative process.
Shameful stuff and no doubt opens the door to a judicial review.
By the way Max Mason attended the three meetings by internet from Australia. He has not applied for leave of absence and is cycling across Australia whilst being paid by ratepayers it is presumed. Shameful stuff from him too, bearing in mind his holier than thou electoral rhetoric when he stood for election.
Just like a lot seeking election now making all sorts of promises that they will never be able to keep.
BILL FAULKNER, Tauranga.
THE ELMS
At the TCC meeting (Tuesday, September 17) Council voted to defer their (earlier) decision, to gift 11 Mission St to the Otamataha Trust on legal procedural grounds.
The council will now set a new meeting date within this triennium to decide the fate of this property.
Recent information confirms that, while The Elms Foundation is not party to the gifting discussions they have endorsed their earlier resolution for 11 Mission St be transferred to them.
Congratulations to The Elms Foundation for being awarded "The 2018 Trust of the Year" by the NZ Trustee Association, for "outstanding endeavour, performance and achievement".
Chairman Ian Thomas stated, they were surprised to hear of this award since they were not aware they had been nominated. (The Weekend Sun, September 13, 2019).
MAX LEWIS, Mt Maunganui.
sites.google.com/site/kiwifrontline/letters-submitted-to-newspapers
TEACHING HISTORY
I agree with Helen Staniland's perceptive letter re. New Zealand history (September 25). I welcome more history being taught in our secondary schools (serious history cannot be a primary school subject) - but, like Staniland, I fear how the curriculum will be written. Will it be, as she says, "the unbiased, unvarnished truth . . . as far as it can be properly ascertained"? And yes, "the truth will make us free".
To me, it has sinister implications that Education Minister Chris Hipkins, when announcing his plans, blatantly stated that the new curriculum would be written after consulting with "educators, students and their parents and whanau, Pacific communities etc".
Such advisers are precisely who we do not want to have input into our school history curriculum - because then, of course, this would be be tainted and corrupted by present politically correct opinions.
The Politburo in the former Soviet Union very successfblly wrote its school history curricula (and also branched into biology curricula, by the way).
We do not want political noses poking into writing our new history curriculum. This task must be left to established and proven academic historians. Political interference here would be an abomination.
ANDY ESPERSEN Nelson
Waikato Times 28/9/19
COY ABOUT MAORI SEATS
There is discussion taking place regarding the appointment of a certain ethnic group to council. If this is to take place, then surely the opportunity should also be extended to other ethnic groups who represent a sizeable proportion of the ratepayers in the city.
GRAEME C HENRY, Hamilton
Weekend Sun / Sunlive 27/9/19
SHOTGUN MARRIAGE
It’s been agonising sitting through three council meetings over the past few weeks watching democracy in inaction, elected members changing their stance in regard with what to do with 11 Mission Street.
Obfuscating, vascillating, pontificating honed to a fine art as those in the middle sought middle ground where there was none.
Mayor Greg Brownless did a good job refereeing a fiasco not of his making.
Larry Baldock, Terry Molloy, Steve Morris and a much travelling Max Mason stuck to their guns, firmly committed to 11 Mission Street being given to Otamataha Trust. Mayor Greg Brownless, Catherine Stewart and John Robson were equally firm in wanting 11 Mission Street transferred to the Elms, the entity for which Council orginially purchased 11 Mission Street for. This is true - I was on the Council that bought the property for the Elms.
Rick Curach, Bill Granger and Leanne Brown jumped from side to side depending on the motion and eventually wound up creating a bigger fiasco. Effectively they succeeded in creating a non-decision whereby 11 Mission Street will be transferred to a yet to be created entity made up of the Elms and the Otamataha Trust.
This is a shotgun marriage that will satisfy nobody and is unlikely to work. This option was not part of the consultative process.
Shameful stuff and no doubt opens the door to a judicial review.
By the way Max Mason attended the three meetings by internet from Australia. He has not applied for leave of absence and is cycling across Australia whilst being paid by ratepayers it is presumed. Shameful stuff from him too, bearing in mind his holier than thou electoral rhetoric when he stood for election.
Just like a lot seeking election now making all sorts of promises that they will never be able to keep.
BILL FAULKNER, Tauranga.
THE ELMS
At the TCC meeting (Tuesday, September 17) Council voted to defer their (earlier) decision, to gift 11 Mission St to the Otamataha Trust on legal procedural grounds.
The council will now set a new meeting date within this triennium to decide the fate of this property.
Recent information confirms that, while The Elms Foundation is not party to the gifting discussions they have endorsed their earlier resolution for 11 Mission St be transferred to them.
Congratulations to The Elms Foundation for being awarded "The 2018 Trust of the Year" by the NZ Trustee Association, for "outstanding endeavour, performance and achievement".
Chairman Ian Thomas stated, they were surprised to hear of this award since they were not aware they had been nominated. (The Weekend Sun, September 13, 2019).
MAX LEWIS, Mt Maunganui.
sites.google.com/site/kiwifrontline/letters-submitted-to-newspapers