Re: ‘We don't want Auckland's refugees' (The Weekend Sun, December 30). I was sorry to read this letter and hope R Paterson has a happy 2017 and feels a lot better about life at the end of this year than at the end of 2016. I wonder how many people living here have lived here all their lives? I suspect that many, if not most, have come from elsewhere at some stage. I'm sure if R Paterson had an urgent need for life-saving surgery they would not insist on having a Tauranga born-and-bred surgeon but would be pleased to get the best of care from our excellent hospital wherever the surgeon was from, even if they were from Auckland. Many of those 'flocking here” are retirees but Tauranga has long been a mecca for retirees. It has kind, friendly and welcoming people - except for R Paterson - a lovely climate and a great lifestyle. What's not to like about living in this lovely city? Since retiring here we've met many people from Auckland, Christchurch, Taupo, Whanganui, the King Country, Kapiti Coast, Whangarei, Thames, Wellington and a number from Hamilton. We've also met retirees from Scotland and England. The influx of people is not just from Auckland. We've also met many businesspeople, professional people and tradespeople, nearly all of whom have said how delighted they are with the growth happening here as they are busier than ever and able to grow their businesses. Yes, there are some infrastructure pressures as there would be in any growing city. But we are still small enough to have the time to get these right. And our city has the advantage of being able to look at the problems other cities have faced, the solutions they've generated, and be prepared with strategies that will work for Tauranga before we grow too much more. A bigger city is not necessarily a worse city, it can be more vibrant and diverse and exciting for all ages. Let's stop knocking Aucklanders and other newcomers and let all of us who live here be thankful for the great little city we have.

K Cater, Ohauiti.