New Zealand Listener Issue 31 2018

The kōkako’s silvery birdsong has just returned to Mt Pirongia. A tohorā, the rare southern right whale, has been sporting in Wellington Harbour. Signs warning motorists to beware of low-flying kererū are increasingly common. How appalling if we found the endangered birds were gathering discarded plastic for their chicks, or if the whale washed up dead with plastic bags clogging its intestines as did a pilot whale in Thailand recently. Our vulnerable native fauna can flourish, but not if we keep compromising their habitats. Sir David Attenborough’s film of an albatross feeding its chick bits of plastic not only broke hearts but focused minds around the world. Coincidentally, China, which for years has profitably recycled a lot of other countries’ waste, recently decided to stop, saying it had its hands…

The kōkako’s silvery birdsong has just returned to Mt Pirongia. A tohorā, the rare southern right whale, has been sporting in Wellington Harbour. Signs warning motorists to beware of low-flying kererū are increasingly common. How appalling if we found the endangered birds were gathering discarded plastic for their chicks, or if the whale washed up dead with plastic bags clogging its intestines as did a pilot whale in Thailand recently. Our vulnerable native fauna can flourish, but not if we keep compromising their habitats. Sir David Attenborough’s film of an albatross feeding its chick bits of plastic not only broke hearts but focused minds around the world. Coincidentally, China, which for years has profitably recycled a lot of other countries’ waste, recently decided to stop, saying it had its hands full dealing…

Thanks for “The freedom to hate” cover story (July 21). I agree the best response to hate speech is to get it out in the open where it can be confronted and countered – and we also have the option to ignore it. We also need to check we are progressing as a nation in helping individuals and groups work through reasonable resentments and unreasonable prejudices safely and constructively. There’s a difference between criticising a religion or other system of belief and conduct and threatening people who affiliate with them. Let’s admit we’re now a nation of mainly nonbelievers from various ethnic backgrounds with a live-and-let-live outlook, equally wary of groups who think they are entitled to bully others and groups who think they are entitled to special protection against…

WINNING CAPTION Daphne Tobin, Porirua FINALISTS Johnny Depp: “I warned you, Alice – stay away from the looking glass.” – Kath Jones, Waikanae Depp: “Cos for 24 years, I’ve been waiting to play with Alice.”– Mike Lynch, Upper Hutt Depp: “I can’t see it any more … you must have swallowed the snake.” – Tom Batchelor, Kerikeri Alice Cooper: “Is that your amp whining or have you been smuggling dogs again?” – Robert Morey, Dunedin Cooper: “Belt … too … tight!” – Warren Shaw, Marton Cooper: “Johnny, you’re No More Mr Nice Guy.” – John Edgar, Christchurch Cooper: “Mine’s stage make-up, what’s your excuse?” – Ian James, Dunedin Depp: “So that’s where you get to with poison running through your veins.” – Luke Kiddle, Ngatimoti Caption Competition {caption@listener.co.nz} TO ENTER Send your captions for the photo above to caption@listener.co.nz, with “Caption Competition…

WINNING CAPTION Daphne Tobin, Porirua FINALISTS Johnny Depp: “I warned you, Alice – stay away from the looking glass.” – Kath Jones, Waikanae Depp: “Cos for 24 years, I’ve been waiting to play with Alice.”– Mike Lynch, Upper Hutt Depp: “I can’t see it any more … you must have swallowed the snake.” – Tom Batchelor, Kerikeri Alice Cooper: “Is that your amp whining or have you been smuggling dogs again?” – Robert Morey, Dunedin Cooper: “Belt … too … tight!” – Warren Shaw, Marton Cooper: “Johnny, you’re No More Mr Nice Guy.” – John Edgar, Christchurch Cooper: “Mine’s stage make-up, what’s your excuse?” – Ian James, Dunedin Depp: “So that’s where you get to with poison running through your veins.” – Luke Kiddle, Ngatimoti Caption Competition {caption@listener.co.nz} TO ENTER Send…

Thanks for “The freedom to hate” cover story (July 21). I agree the best response to hate speech is to get it out in the open where it can be confronted and countered – and we also have the option to ignore it. We also need to check we are progressing as a nation in helping individuals and groups work through reasonable resentments and unreasonable prejudices safely and constructively. There’s a difference between criticising a religion or other system of belief and conduct and threatening people who affiliate with them. Let’s admit we’re now a nation of mainly nonbelievers from various ethnic backgrounds with a live-and-let-live outlook, equally wary of groups who think they are entitled to bully others and groups who think they are entitled to special protection against criticism. I…