Letters to Editor: parking issues, FBI and a call to vote
The Pociechas are not the first to be targeted by an overzealous parking warden (ODT 2.8.25).
We had a similar experience just before Christmas last year, although our ''infringement'' was less severe. An $80 fine was imposed for stopping adjacent to an ''Authorised Vehicles Only'' space.
The warden was on site and pointed to the sign. We indicated we were not parking but dropping off a passenger.
Like Mr Pociecha, we did not switch off our engine, and were stationary for less than one minute. At no time was there a vehicle, authorised or otherwise, waiting to park or pass us.
Challenging the fine was initially rebuffed by the Dunedin City Council. We replied that we were prepared to defend the case in court; our actions did not fit the dictionary definition of parking, there was no ''No Stopping'' sign and nobody was inconvenienced in any way. The subsequent reply from the DCC indicated that our fine had been waived.
The reason provided was ''Our records show an administration error has occurred regarding the vehicle type recorded for this infringement notice''. Really?
While the DCC may be short of funds, this sort of revenue gathering borders on abuse of power. Some parking wardens might benefit from training in customer relations and use of discretion.
Wyn Barbezat
Roslyn Our time is now
How would our country function if National and Labour ever formed a coalition? I think exponentially better. That won't happen of course but one place where the theory should and can work is in local politics.
Council should not be a dysfunctional battleground for central government-based divisions. We need representatives who can rise above partisanship and work collaboratively for the advancement of our fine city.
Critically, we also need a mayor of exceptional ability. One who can unite the council, empower and allow all elected members to contribute meaningfully while fostering a strong and productive working relationship with the CEO and council staff. We need a mayor who can keep the entire organisation focused on one clear purpose: serving Dunedin and improving outcomes for all who live here.
This is the one point in the three-year cycle where the people literally have the power: let's not waste it.
John Le Brun
Fairfield Common courtesy
I assume that if someone sends you a letter, even if it is via the pages of the ODT, it is only fair to reply.
So, Ian Davie and Harry Love, thank you for your observations on my recent opinion pieces on the impact of the Covid restrictions. I have shared through these pages the independent EY Report on the trial a group of us conducted at our own expense (over $100,000) to demonstrate how NZ technologies could take the burden off the MIQs and help businesses continue to operate globally. A report shared freely and openly with the government of the day.
Nothing I have said has been in hindsight. This report was shared as we went into the 100-day lockdown in Auckland. Harry, I might as well have been in a soundproof box with a mirror because it turned out that I was talking to myself. No-one in government wanted to hear about it. Happy to talk again after you have read it.
Ian Taylor
Dunedin Where it's due
Jolly well done, Sir Ian. Up there with Walt Disney (ODT 31.7.25). You have done so much for our city. May naysayers and tall-poppy-cutters in these columns feel suitably chastened.
Mac Gardner
Dunedin Not best pleased about our new FBI visitors
So, the FBI is opening a permanent office in Wellington. In other words, an organ of the central police and spy apparatus of the USA - a foreign power - is to be ensconced permanently in our capital city at the seat of our government.
At the opening of this facility we see the ''Mark and Judy Show'' smiling and nodding benignly while they listen to the blandishments of Kash Patel, director of the aforementioned organisation, and in anticipation of benefits to be received in return for the surrender of a little more of New Zealand's sovereignty.
The main, so-called, ''benefit'' is to be the countering of the greatly-to-be-feared machinations of the dastardly Chinese. Of course it is true that the Peoples Republic of China, coincidentally, and not to be given overly much significance, just happens to be New Zealand's main trading partner. And it is also true that Mr Trump hadn't gotten around to slapping any new tariffs on New Zealand goods yet (give him time, he's got a short attention span).
But anyway, as our revered foreign minister Winston Peters is first to affirm, New Zealand's ''safety and security'' is paramount.
We can now sleep more soundly.
Jack Pritchard
Palmerston Not happy at all about the state of things
The world is awash with immense stupidity and sheer evil. It seems like we are heading back to the 1930s when three male psychopaths rose to power and brought pain and suffering to the world for many years and emboldened evil in others.
Shame on world leaders for allowing children to die of starvation in Gaza and our government for not calling what is happening there the genocide that it is.
However, we have a petty, vindictive government that occupies itself with things that are of no real consequence like the words on a passport and setting up a road cone hotline. Then they waste money on appeasing egos like Seymour's Treaty Principles Bill. They do put effort into kicking people down the road by cutting off access to accommodation which has increased homelessness.
They are also under-funding healthcare. They seem to be completely unaware of basic human rights.
Unsurprisingly, they do pour money into their wealthy and sorted mates on crown boards who are getting an 80% pay rise. The tobacco industry now has close mates in government. The Regulatory Standards Bill aims to give corporations more rights than us. And to appease their supporters, our environments on land and sea will be trashed by fast-track projects.
I have never been so disgusted with a government in my lifetime. This government lacks a moral compass and humanity. We cannot afford for them to be more than a one-term disaster.
Lou Scott
Kenmure An unsatisfied customer
I see the PM has called the Labour leader ''fricken Chris Hipkins'' in an interview. Is this because polls are showing that New Zealanders have had enough of him ''fricken'' the country?
Ewan McDougall
Broad Bay
Address Letters to the Editor to: Otago Daily Times, PO Box 517, 52-56 Lower Stuart St, Dunedin. Email: editor@odt.co.nz
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Otago Daily Times
6 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
Letters to Editor: parking issues, FBI and a call to vote
Today's Letters to the Editor from readers cover topics including parking issues, the FBI on our soil, and a call to get out and vote. Pool stop ticket sign of wider parking zeal The Pociechas are not the first to be targeted by an overzealous parking warden (ODT 2.8.25). We had a similar experience just before Christmas last year, although our ''infringement'' was less severe. An $80 fine was imposed for stopping adjacent to an ''Authorised Vehicles Only'' space. The warden was on site and pointed to the sign. We indicated we were not parking but dropping off a passenger. Like Mr Pociecha, we did not switch off our engine, and were stationary for less than one minute. At no time was there a vehicle, authorised or otherwise, waiting to park or pass us. Challenging the fine was initially rebuffed by the Dunedin City Council. We replied that we were prepared to defend the case in court; our actions did not fit the dictionary definition of parking, there was no ''No Stopping'' sign and nobody was inconvenienced in any way. The subsequent reply from the DCC indicated that our fine had been waived. The reason provided was ''Our records show an administration error has occurred regarding the vehicle type recorded for this infringement notice''. Really? While the DCC may be short of funds, this sort of revenue gathering borders on abuse of power. Some parking wardens might benefit from training in customer relations and use of discretion. Wyn Barbezat Roslyn Our time is now How would our country function if National and Labour ever formed a coalition? I think exponentially better. That won't happen of course but one place where the theory should and can work is in local politics. Council should not be a dysfunctional battleground for central government-based divisions. We need representatives who can rise above partisanship and work collaboratively for the advancement of our fine city. Critically, we also need a mayor of exceptional ability. One who can unite the council, empower and allow all elected members to contribute meaningfully while fostering a strong and productive working relationship with the CEO and council staff. We need a mayor who can keep the entire organisation focused on one clear purpose: serving Dunedin and improving outcomes for all who live here. This is the one point in the three-year cycle where the people literally have the power: let's not waste it. John Le Brun Fairfield Common courtesy I assume that if someone sends you a letter, even if it is via the pages of the ODT, it is only fair to reply. So, Ian Davie and Harry Love, thank you for your observations on my recent opinion pieces on the impact of the Covid restrictions. I have shared through these pages the independent EY Report on the trial a group of us conducted at our own expense (over $100,000) to demonstrate how NZ technologies could take the burden off the MIQs and help businesses continue to operate globally. A report shared freely and openly with the government of the day. Nothing I have said has been in hindsight. This report was shared as we went into the 100-day lockdown in Auckland. Harry, I might as well have been in a soundproof box with a mirror because it turned out that I was talking to myself. No-one in government wanted to hear about it. Happy to talk again after you have read it. Ian Taylor Dunedin Where it's due Jolly well done, Sir Ian. Up there with Walt Disney (ODT 31.7.25). You have done so much for our city. May naysayers and tall-poppy-cutters in these columns feel suitably chastened. Mac Gardner Dunedin Not best pleased about our new FBI visitors So, the FBI is opening a permanent office in Wellington. In other words, an organ of the central police and spy apparatus of the USA - a foreign power - is to be ensconced permanently in our capital city at the seat of our government. At the opening of this facility we see the ''Mark and Judy Show'' smiling and nodding benignly while they listen to the blandishments of Kash Patel, director of the aforementioned organisation, and in anticipation of benefits to be received in return for the surrender of a little more of New Zealand's sovereignty. The main, so-called, ''benefit'' is to be the countering of the greatly-to-be-feared machinations of the dastardly Chinese. Of course it is true that the Peoples Republic of China, coincidentally, and not to be given overly much significance, just happens to be New Zealand's main trading partner. And it is also true that Mr Trump hadn't gotten around to slapping any new tariffs on New Zealand goods yet (give him time, he's got a short attention span). But anyway, as our revered foreign minister Winston Peters is first to affirm, New Zealand's ''safety and security'' is paramount. We can now sleep more soundly. Jack Pritchard Palmerston Not happy at all about the state of things The world is awash with immense stupidity and sheer evil. It seems like we are heading back to the 1930s when three male psychopaths rose to power and brought pain and suffering to the world for many years and emboldened evil in others. Shame on world leaders for allowing children to die of starvation in Gaza and our government for not calling what is happening there the genocide that it is. However, we have a petty, vindictive government that occupies itself with things that are of no real consequence like the words on a passport and setting up a road cone hotline. Then they waste money on appeasing egos like Seymour's Treaty Principles Bill. They do put effort into kicking people down the road by cutting off access to accommodation which has increased homelessness. They are also under-funding healthcare. They seem to be completely unaware of basic human rights. Unsurprisingly, they do pour money into their wealthy and sorted mates on crown boards who are getting an 80% pay rise. The tobacco industry now has close mates in government. The Regulatory Standards Bill aims to give corporations more rights than us. And to appease their supporters, our environments on land and sea will be trashed by fast-track projects. I have never been so disgusted with a government in my lifetime. This government lacks a moral compass and humanity. We cannot afford for them to be more than a one-term disaster. Lou Scott Kenmure An unsatisfied customer I see the PM has called the Labour leader ''fricken Chris Hipkins'' in an interview. Is this because polls are showing that New Zealanders have had enough of him ''fricken'' the country? Ewan McDougall Broad Bay Address Letters to the Editor to: Otago Daily Times, PO Box 517, 52-56 Lower Stuart St, Dunedin. Email: editor@
RNZ News
10 hours ago
- RNZ News
Victim in Epstein case decries ‘political warfare' in effort to release grand jury transcripts
By Casey Gannon , CNN Two victims of Jeffrey Epstein's abuse have filed letters to the court condemning the Justice Department's request to unseal grand jury testimony and cited the lack of respect they feel has been showed toward them by President Donald Trump and his administration. Both of the victims remained anonymous in their writings sent on Monday, with one calling the latest handling of the so-called Epstein Files "political warfare." "Dear United States, I wish you would have handled and would handle the whole 'Epstein Files' with more respect towards and for the victims. I am not some pawn in your political warfare. What you have done and continue to do is eating at me day after day as you help to perpetuate this story indefinitely," one of the victims wrote. Another victim argued that priority has only been on protecting "wealthy men." "(I) feel like the DOJ's and FBI's priority is protecting the "third-party", the wealthy men by focusing on scrubbing their names off the files of which the victims, "know who they are,'" one of the victims wrote. While neither letter outwardly requests federal Judge Richard Berman in New York to keep the transcripts under seal, both strongly urge him to take all necessary precautions in concealing victims' identities. One of the victims suggested that a third party review the release of the documents to ensure that no information related to the victims is revealed. The other victim told the judge that it is an "upmost priority" for any information regarding identify of the victims be redacted. Both emotional letters submitted to the judge showed clear frustration towards the administration's handling of the files. "I appreciate your time reading my short thoughts and feeling and my anxiety and frustration is NOT aimed at you, obviously. It is aimed at the very government here, the ones asking to release these transcripts, exhibits, etc., of which the victims are not privy to while they have concluded that there is nothing more to see on the files they hold. Yet no one has seen them, but them," one of the letters read. "I am beside myself." Victims in the case were asked to respond to the government's request to release grand jury transcripts by August 5. - CNN
1News
12 hours ago
- 1News
China hits back at FBI director's 'groundless assertions' in Wellington
China says it strongly opposes any "groundless assertions" after comments made by the head of the FBI at its new office in Wellington. The US Federal Bureau of Investigation is opening a dedicated attaché office in the capital to investigate threats, including terrorism, cyber crime, money laundering and child exploitation. Director Kash Patel also said it would counter China's influence in the Pacific. Jose Sousa-Santos from the University of Canterbury said the move will bring New Zealand law enforcement up to speed with modern threats. (Source: Breakfast) The Chinese Embassy hit back, saying it took note of the comments and described them as part of a "Cold War mentality". ADVERTISEMENT "Transnational crime is a common challenge encountered by all countries requiring cooperation to tackle," a spokesperson said. "On the opening of a new FBI office in Wellington with a permanent Legat (legal attaché) position, we have taken note of the assertions by the American side, as well as the remarks by relevant New Zealand ministers in response to the media. "We believe that relevant cooperation should not target any third party. And we strongly oppose any attempt to make groundless assertions or vilification against China out of the Cold War mentality. Such acts are against people's will and are doomed to fail." The government has pushed back on suggestions that the FBI's new office in Wellington aimed to counter China. Foreign Minister Winston Peters said China was not raised in his meeting with Patel, and the minister responsible for the spy agencies GCSB and NZSIS, Judith Collins, said it was up to Patel what he wanted to say. A Chinese national flag is raised at the Chinese embassy in London. (Source: Associated Press) "When we were talking, we never had raised that issue," Peters said. "We talked about the Pacific, what we could do to improve the law and order situation and the great concern that Pacific countries had and that they needed help, and that we need to be part of the solution." ADVERTISEMENT Collins said the US was "very focused on fentanyl" and knew New Zealand was focused on disrupting the methamphetamine trade. "We know that we do have international criminals ... let's just understand that our security agency is also involved in this. We're not going to single out any particular country." The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including fleeing driver hits house, severe turbulence hits US flight, and massive new bug found in Australia. (Source: 1News) University of Otago lecturer Dr Peter Grace said drug and human trafficking was "spiralling out of control" in the region, and New Zealand had limited resources to fight it. "New Zealand is a small state, and we just don't have the kind of resources that are going to help solve these problems… So the fact that you've got somebody with much deeper pockets coming down and cooperating can be a particularly good thing." Opposition parties expressed surprise at the announcement, Labour saying it had come without explanation and Greens saying the office should not exist and New Zealand should exit the Five Eyes arrangement altogether.
