Why are New Zealanders so ashamed of their heritage? Whether we like it or not our values, our government and our justice system are fundamentally based on Judaeo Christianity. If individuals choose to not practice any sort of belief in that, that is fine. But to ask us to delete any mention of Christ from events such Easter and Christmas is going too far.

Using the excuse that retaining any mention of Christ in our vocabulary might offend immigrants or make them feel uncomfortable is ludicrous. Instead we should take the firm stance that Australians do – well they used to, but even that is being watered down now by the PC brigade.

There was a time when it was expected that, first and foremost, New Australians would embrace the Australian way of life which, like ours, is based on the same Christian values. In other words, when in Australia, do as the Australians do. Now, that didn't mean people weren't allowed to adopt different or unusual rites and practices, as long as they were within the law. The expectation was that new immigrants would support the founding values of the country they had chosen to settle in. Until fairly recently that worked very well. Now, like New Zealand, the country is becoming populated with dissidents who actively undermine the core values of Australian society.

Could any Westerner choosing to migrate to a country dominated by a non-Christian religion expect that country to water down their religion to make the new comer feel more comfortable? I can guarantee that would never happen.

So why should not we New Zealanders be equally determined to hold on to our heritage? If prospective new comers don't like it, the world is big place and I'm sure they could find somewhere else to settle.

Ian Young, Papamoa Beach.