I support M Stanley's letter, suggesting a gondola on the Mount (or Mauao). Built professionally it would not be in any way an ‘eyesore' and would be a very good tourist attraction.

As for J Budden (February 14), who arrived here in 1971, hardly gives him a lot of time to obviously learn the history on NZ.

I am in my 82nd year, born-and-bred in New Zealand; and there's a lot of history of New Zealand so many like him don't give a thought to, or study.

Unfortunately, there's so little recognition of the early pioneer settlers, who toiled so hard, breaking in land, building roads, milling timber and erecting buildings.

This is really how our country started and developed, which is now what we all share today.

We need to be so proud of our European ancestors too.

Maori certainly have a place in history, but so few recognise and appreciate what benefits they've been given.

KF Collingwood, Bethlehem.