Explained: This article explains the political background, key decisions, and possible outcomes related to Explained : Letters: Readers debate India trade deal, forestry slash and party politics and Its Impact and why it matters right now.
Jock Mac Vicar, Hauraki.
Slash situation
Over the weekend there was an article in the media claiming large amounts of forestry “slash” are again building up in the Tairāwhiti/Gisborne area.
I have written to the Herald about this many times, going right back to when Stuart Nash was in charge of forestry and ready to turn a blind eye to this until public opinion turned against him.
Eventually a government inquiry was ordered into forestry practices in the area caused by Cyclone Gabrielle. Hekia Parata led this inquiry.
That ministerial inquiry reported the following:
- Appallingly bad practices were going on;
- An immediate halt to large-scale clear-felling was recommended;
- A major overhaul of permissive regulations (NES-PF) was needed;
- Monitoring by local authorities should be improved;
- A $359 million investment over 10 years for risk reduction was proposed.
It appears that little or no attention has been paid to what is required. The national forestry regulations require slash to be removed from slopes unless it is unsafe or impractical to do so.
Which raises the question: why are companies clear-felling in these areas if it’s so dangerous?
Come on Todd McClay and Gisborne District Council, please do something about this situation before another cyclone bowls through and we (the taxpayers) are faced with another ecological disaster.
Steve Jardine, Glendowie.
Problem of parties
Modern democracies like New Zealand’s are dominated by political parties, and this model now shapes not only national politics but also local politics right down to local boards.
The result is a system where professional politicians, party slates, back-room deals and bloc voting overshadow individual talent and genuine community representation.
Under MMP, many representatives are brought in through party lists, creating a “pied piper” dynamic that stifles original thinking. This marks a sharp departure from the ancient Athenian model, the original cradle of democracy, where political life centred on the talent, judgment and abilities of individual citizens rather than kowtowing to one leader defined by a left–right agenda.
At its height, Athenian democracy had no political parties in the modern sense. Leadership emerged from merit, persuasive skill, public service and reputation.
Citizens judged leaders on their character and contribution, not on factional alignment.
Many offices were filled by lot to prevent entrenched power, and the Assembly encouraged open debate rather than co-ordinated voting blocs.
The system was imperfect, but it encouraged individual responsibility and discouraged political careerism.
By contrast, today’s party politics rewards loyalty, message discipline and internal hierarchy.
Parties provide stability and clear platforms, but they also suppress independent voices and concentrate power. When this culture extends into local boards, spaces meant for grassroots participation, it risks turning community governance into a training ground for party advancement.
The West celebrates individual freedom, yet its party‑centred democratic structures increasingly struggle to empower truly independent thinking and inspired political talent.
Russell Hoban, Ponsonby.
Blind faith
Trump criticises Europe for not contributing enough to Nato – yet he doesn’t contribute much to assist Ukraine, and is actually crippling that country by withdrawing aid.
Trump is happy to seize sanctioned Venezuelan oil – yet he won’t seize sanctioned Russian oil – knowing full well that would be the most effective way to cripple Russia’s ability to continue the war in Ukraine.
Trump often references God when talking of the failed assassination attempt on him, and when boasting of his achievements, yet according to media reports, his official diary records little or no church attendance over the festive season.
Trump desperately wants a Nobel (or any) Peace Prize – yet he pays only lip service to any of Ukraine’s peace proposals. In a recent interview, he said anything proposed by Ukraine “is nothing unless I approve it”. What should we take from that statement?
But perhaps we have less to fear from Trump than we have to fear from the millions of Americans who seemingly blindly believe in and faithfully support him.
David Pickford, Whitianga.
The pros of private
Gil Laurenson, December 29, questions why the state school system should in any way subsidise the private system.
The answer is simple. Private schooling saves the NZ taxpayer a huge amount of money in not having to pay anything for the education of those children, with also the GST collected by the state on private fees outweighing several times the very small subsidy paid by the Government.
Dr Hylton Le Grice, Remuera.