Suzanne Williams

As I pass another birthday and realise that I have, with some difficulty, negotiated another year of what has been, and is, a full and interesting life, I take stock of my existence and the world around me (as you do).

New Zealand is held by some to be the best country in the world to live in, but there are many this year who would dispute this and I don't need to enumerate these and their reasons.

But how could it possibly be that two more countries are now engaging in yet another terrible war? And these are nuclear-capable?

Even worse, from my selfish point of view:

Can you believe that our Government has rushed through, under urgency, legislation that will allow any previously protected native wildlife (endangered or not) to be killed if it is held to be in the way of a new road, mine, dam or other project, so that it can proceed faster?

We are respected world-wide as a leader in our wildlife work.

How to go from revered to reviled in one easy Government action.

Do I really want to continue living in this mad world?