Nugget Point May 2005

This letter was originally published in the Otago Daily Times 16 May 2005

MANY people visiting the Nuggets last month (especially those suffering one of the common problems of middle age) would have shared my surprise and dismay on discovering that the public toilet had been vandalised.
   

However, I was even more surprised during a meeting about the proposed marine reserve to hear the claim that Doc staff themselves had caused the damage. I couldn't clearly see the facial expressions of the Doc officers present (my long distance vision's not the best nowadays, either), but I was impressed by their calm response. Of course, Otago conservator Jeff Connell and his staff must now be well experienced in rolling with the punches when being publicly accused of lying and double dealing.
   

Not all opponents of the reserve are so aggressive, but by and large it has been the people with the most dogmatic views who have had the most publicity. Some individuals have not only tried to prevent opposing opinions being heard, but appear to feel that they themselves are the only ones actually entitled to a view on the issue.
   

I believe that living organisms have a right to existence that doesn't just depend on their utility to human beings. Despite the clean, green image we like to portray, human occupation has been a major disaster for the New Zealand environment. Look at a map of the South Island and you will see just what a tiny amount of the coast is fully protected from exploitation. I hope that during the final round of submissions to the Government, all those New Zealanders who believe that we have a responsibility to improve our track record will let their feelings be known. Remember, by definition, nobody hears a silent majority.