Massive milestone for East Auckland
As reported in the Times ‘Construction starts on $1.4b Eastern Busway’
The Eastern Busway is a potential game changer for transport in our area.
Point View Drive clean up a community effort
On Friday I wore my new gumboots to help fundraise for youth mental health. Today I wore them as part of a community effort to clean up Point View Drive.
Let's all try to be more like John
Howick locals came together to acknowledge John Sato, a local who has become an inspiration to many. At 95 he caught multiple buses to be at the anti-racism march, setting an amazing example for us all.
Celebrating Buddha's Day
Very peaceful time at the Fo Guang Shan Temple to celebrate Buddha's Day.
Have your say on safer speeds in Auckland
Too many people are killed or injured on our roads - 749 seriously hurt and 64 killed in 2017 is far too many. We need to improve the road design, driver behaviours and increase enforcement but we also need to set realistic speeds.
Instead of raising public transport fares, let's fix them
Public transport fares in Auckland have gone up because people are using it more. If you think that sounds backwards, you're not alone.
Giving away money not the solution to our stadium problem
I was very disturbed to see that some councillors - including both of my local - voted to give away $10m of public money to Eden Park with no strings. There was an alternative of making this a loan which would've been paid but this was narrowly voted down.
Kia kaha Christchurch...
Our little country rocked by terrorism and hatred, it's difficult to think of the words to describe how it feels.
Rates reform as urgent as ever
We urgently need to reform local government funding. I've campaigned on this for years and will continue to until it's resolved.
Stockade Hill too important to lose
Having spaces to remember and reflect on those we've lost is an important part of community. Stockade Hill is that place for Howick and surrounding area, serving as a gathering place for locals.
Tarnica Park issues go deeper than just anti-social behaviour
There are serious concerns about safety in Tarnica Park with reports of anti-social behaviour, fighting and even a stabbing not long ago.
Macleans Park has new friends
Great first meeting of the Friends of Macleans Park, a new community group to reduce the pests and weeds in the park while replanting and improving the natural environment.
Changes coming to Pakuranga Road with mixed feedback from locals
Last Wednesday night, over a hundred locals packed the Bucklands Beach Yacht Club for a public meeting on transport. Organised by Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown, the meeting was focused on some upcoming changes to Pakuranga Road proposed by Auckland Transport (AT) as during the construction of the Eastern Busway.
Will a transit lane for Pakuranga Road be a help or a hindrance?
As any local will know, Pakuranga Road is an extremely busy place every day and with the incoming construction work for AMETI Eastern Busway, this is going to get worse. To help, Auckland Transport is proposing some big changes
Is freedom camping free enough?
On Monday evening I attended the public meeting on the proposed Freedom Camping Bylaw.
The short version is that freedom camping is legal everywhere NZ unless expressly prohibited. This is governed by the Freedom Camping Act 2011 (from Parliament) and some of the rules are out of the hands of the council.
Stickers no solution to illegal dumping.
While I applaud Auckland Councils efforts to investigate and prosecute illegal dumping, putting a sticker on them is not the solution.
Rising sea levels are putting our infrastructure at risk
Local Government NZ has released a report that shows the massive risk to infrastructure from climate change. This is great leadership from Local Government NZ - the risk to infrastructure from Climate Change is very real and we must be planning for it now.
Is a transit lane the solution for Pakuranga Road?
Pakuranga Road is one of the busiest roads in the country and is often congested with traffic (even in off peak). We need a solution and Auckland Transport is proposing a transit lane.
KiwiBuild has built up expectations but not much else
I’ve always been sceptical that KiwiBuild could deliver on its promises to deliver so many homes so quickly. My father and grandfather were both in the building industry and it’s never as simple as nailing some planks together.
Vanity projects are not the answer to our transport problems
Today Auckland Council proudly announced that they're wasting an unknown amount of money on trams for Wynard Quarter. This is a waste of money and effort that should’ve been focused on real transport, addressing congestion and safety.