Independent views By Brendan Horan

Capturing centre stage in politics this week is the Royal Visit by William and Katherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and their charming son George, affectionately known as ‘Little Hori' in rural New Zealand.

My wife Miranda and I enjoyed meeting William and Kate and it was lovely to share a common interest with the Prince in that he's a very keen water polo player.

Tauranga has one of the highest participation levels for water polo in New Zealand, with flippa ball flourishing in our primary schools and water polo at intermediate and senior levels. It therefore is of special concern our city council is considering slashing user hours at Baywave and the Memorial Pool.

Already Tauranga ratepayers pay an arm and a leg for pool entry, with many children denied access to Baywave because of the cost. Now this council is proposing to further reduce access to children to safe swimming facilities.

This action was tried last year by Hamilton City Council and proved so unpopular it became an election issue. Hamilton councillors have pleasingly reversed an inane decision and they are re-extending to normal hours this winter.

Is it fair we pay $4.80 for an eight-year-old child to swim at Baywave, when in Auckland access to public swimming pools is free to children under 16. We are an aquatic community and an island nation. We owe it to our children to provide them with the skills and competencies to be safe in the water. Surely affordable and available access to council facilities is paramount to this.

Facebook.com/Brendan.horan.336 twitter.com/brendanhoran or Phone Brendan on 574 0253.