If R Paterson's letter, which appeared in the Sun of 31 August, is correct, I too am appalled that the University of Waikato is apparently seeking a further $30 million, to advance their goals of establishing a campus in the centre of Tauranga, from TECT and the ratepayers.
I wonder if the Councillors who agreed to donate the university a prime city block of land, at no cost for 30 years, actually understood that they were then going to be approached, cap in hand, to assist in the cost of building the campus. This being the case possibly ratepayers will also be approached to contribute towards the wages of the staff along with helping out with fees etc for the students attending the facility.
Maybe just another prime example that once you give once it then becomes accepted or maybe the current Councillors were just out of their depth when they agreed to this bizarre decision in the first place.
We obviously require a Council with representatives on it that have more business nous than the rather mixed bunch that we currently have.

Mike Baker, Bethlehem.