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.
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