I was really interested in reading Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller column ‘Tomorrow is our national day' (The Weekend Sun, February 5).

In it he describes how you can 'run through our history without a gate, or barb(sic) wire to be seen”.

We have recently moved from Paihia to Tauranga. In fact we lived very close to the Waitangi Treaty grounds for several years.

Todd should check his statements closer, as since September 29, 2014, both overseas visitors and NZ residents are charged entry to the Treaty grounds; overseas tourists $25 and NZ residents $15 with only children free.

Even his leader, the Prime Minister has criticised the new charge for New Zealanders to visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.

And Labour MP for Tai Tokerau Kelvin Davis MP says: 'If there is any place in NZ that should be free access to all New Zealanders, it should be the birthplace of the nation”.

I can well remember when every visitor had free access, then overseas visitors and non-locals were charged, and now all visitors are charged.

Todd should check his news reports better than he obviously does.

W Blight, Bethlehem.

Todd Muller replies:

W Blight raises a fair point regarding the accessibility of the Waitangi grounds. The grounds are free to the public on Waitangi weekend, but for the remainder of the year the Waitangi Trust Board has made a decision to re-introduce a charge to broaden their revenue base and ensure its financial sustainability. I hope they can see the benefit of returning to a free entry for NZs all year round. On a personal note, when I did go for my run after hours, there was no restrictions at all!