A picture of Wellington Mayor Andrew Little, splendidly decked out with his chain of office and brandishing his trusty rate-trimming scissors, features today on The Post’s page of letters to the editor.
The picture illustrates a grouch from a reader about the extravagance – extravagances, if you care to include all library costs and the functions to open the city’s new library – about a blessing ceremony.
Opening costs a curse
Wellington Library opening costs are astronomical (May 26): $66,391.27 for a blessing ceremony? This is much more than a lot of people earn in a year! Can these costs be broken down? Can someone in WCC please explain? It defies all logic. This is a curse for ratepayers, not a blessing!
Fiona Cziraki, Karori
Here at PoO we look forward to the reply from the Mayor or one of his minions.
It is bound to explain that this was “essential” spending – without a Maori blessing, the building and all who visit it would…
But wait.
On second thoughts, what exactly would happen if there had been no blessing?
Hundreds of public buildings, bridges and what-have-you are opened every day around the world without the insurance provided by a Maori blessing (or the need to pay the premium for the blessing).
There is no clamour from the officials responsible for those buildings to fly in a kaumatua and his entourage to provide the benefits (intangible) that are available in this country.
Having said that, PoO draws attention to another letter in The Post today.
Short-sighted cut
I am deeply concerned by Wellington City Council’s decision to reduce funding for local Citizens Advice Bureau services by nearly 60% – from $230,000 to $100,000. I’m sure many of the 11,000 Wellingtonians who used CAB services last year will feel the same. Yes, times are financially tight. But that is exactly why the independent, free advisory service CAB provides is even more critical to the community.
I have volunteered with CAB for several years and it is clear that when life becomes complicated, people still want to talk to people – including the surprisingly large number who are digitally excluded. The issues clients present with are becoming more complex across all age groups (two-thirds are under 60).
Many need help understanding their options from a trusted, independent source, together with the empathy, judgement and reassurance that comes from speaking with another human being.
It is becoming increasingly difficult to speak to a real person within government agencies and large corporates as organisations pursue efficiency and digital self-service at the expense of customer service. CAB is increasingly filling that human gap.
Reducing support for CAB at a time of increasing social and financial pressure feels incredibly short-sighted.
Mark Young, Paraparaumu
At first blush, this Mark Young fellow is making a good point about the effects of this bit of council cost-cutting.
But if you do your sums, the decision has given the council $130,000 or so to put to good use (or not) somewhere else in its bailiwick.
And when you think about it, this good use (or not) could be two more blessing ceremonies at $65,000 a pop.
True, desperate people deprived of the help provided by the Citizens Advice Bureau will suffer somewhat.
But two more civic buildings can be enriched by the immeasurable spirituality that flows from a blessing.
Bob Edlin is a veteran journalist and editor for the Point of Order blog HERE. - where this article was sourced.
Wellington Library opening costs are astronomical (May 26): $66,391.27 for a blessing ceremony? This is much more than a lot of people earn in a year! Can these costs be broken down? Can someone in WCC please explain? It defies all logic. This is a curse for ratepayers, not a blessing!
Fiona Cziraki, Karori
Here at PoO we look forward to the reply from the Mayor or one of his minions.
It is bound to explain that this was “essential” spending – without a Maori blessing, the building and all who visit it would…
But wait.
On second thoughts, what exactly would happen if there had been no blessing?
Hundreds of public buildings, bridges and what-have-you are opened every day around the world without the insurance provided by a Maori blessing (or the need to pay the premium for the blessing).
There is no clamour from the officials responsible for those buildings to fly in a kaumatua and his entourage to provide the benefits (intangible) that are available in this country.
Having said that, PoO draws attention to another letter in The Post today.
Short-sighted cut
I am deeply concerned by Wellington City Council’s decision to reduce funding for local Citizens Advice Bureau services by nearly 60% – from $230,000 to $100,000. I’m sure many of the 11,000 Wellingtonians who used CAB services last year will feel the same. Yes, times are financially tight. But that is exactly why the independent, free advisory service CAB provides is even more critical to the community.
I have volunteered with CAB for several years and it is clear that when life becomes complicated, people still want to talk to people – including the surprisingly large number who are digitally excluded. The issues clients present with are becoming more complex across all age groups (two-thirds are under 60).
Many need help understanding their options from a trusted, independent source, together with the empathy, judgement and reassurance that comes from speaking with another human being.
It is becoming increasingly difficult to speak to a real person within government agencies and large corporates as organisations pursue efficiency and digital self-service at the expense of customer service. CAB is increasingly filling that human gap.
Reducing support for CAB at a time of increasing social and financial pressure feels incredibly short-sighted.
Mark Young, Paraparaumu
At first blush, this Mark Young fellow is making a good point about the effects of this bit of council cost-cutting.
But if you do your sums, the decision has given the council $130,000 or so to put to good use (or not) somewhere else in its bailiwick.
And when you think about it, this good use (or not) could be two more blessing ceremonies at $65,000 a pop.
True, desperate people deprived of the help provided by the Citizens Advice Bureau will suffer somewhat.
But two more civic buildings can be enriched by the immeasurable spirituality that flows from a blessing.
Bob Edlin is a veteran journalist and editor for the Point of Order blog HERE. - where this article was sourced.
5 comments:
I feel sorry for Wokingtonians….but they somehow keep voting green and red….so my sympathy has limits.
But wait - kcdc were sent similar (but different) criticisms by myself recently and instead of addressing the fair criticism they sent everything down the oia chute!
Bet she sees no response for a couple of months and it comes back as an oia
Considering the extent of able volunteer contribution the CAB must be one of the most cost effective services. But it seems unfair that ratepayers should subsidise what appears to be very disproportionately immigrants with minimal past contribution to NZ.
I wonder how much a Christian blessing would have cost? And how much more effective, since billions believe in the Christian God and maybe 20,000 in the Maori gods.
The 'effectiveness' of a given procedure has nothing to do with how many people 'believe' in it.
Everyone once 'believed' the Earth to be flat, but it was round all the while......
How much would a ribbon have cost? The mayor appears to have already a pair of scissors to cut the ribbon. Ok, so maybe a couple of security guards for an hour, some amplification, some large pots for tea and coffee, some cups, milk and sugar would be protocol. And let's splash out on a couple of boxes of biscuits to dip into the tea. I could have provided all that for $65,000, saving the city over $1000.
Post a Comment
Thank you for joining the discussion. Breaking Views welcomes respectful contributions that enrich the debate. Please ensure your comments are not defamatory, derogatory or disruptive. We appreciate your cooperation.