Labour and National team up on housing - but will it be effective?
Yesterday saw a massive announcement on housing - a rare show of bipartisan support with Labour and National announcing an end to single house zones in the largest cities in New Zealand.
The right to self determination is one of the most fundamental human rights.
My submission on Inquiry into Supplementary Order Paper 59 on the Births, Deaths, Marriages and Relationships Registration Bill
Harmful conversion practices should be banned
Parliament is accepting submissions on the proposed ban on conversion practices. There is no justification for the damage they cause and there is no place for them in New Zealand.
Howick Local Board meeting for July 2021
Monday night was the Howick Local Board meeting for July with discussions on bikes, dogs and bylaws. I always try to attend to see what’s happening in the community and at Council.
35 years since homosexual law reform
9 July 2021 marks the 35 anniversary of the Homosexual Law Reform, which passed it’s final vote in parliament on 9 July 1986 and came into effect on 8 August the same year. It’s a time to remember those involved, celebrate the progress and strive for more.
Auckland Transport $37B plan nothing to celebrate
On Monday 28 June, the Board of Auckland Transport approved their ten year plan known as the Auckland Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP). The plan comes with a hefty price tag of $37 Billion which on the face of it seems positive - Auckland has under invested in transport for far too long. However, there isn't much to celebrate.
Further delays to Eastern Busway are unacceptable
Yesterday Auckland Transport admitted that the Eastern Busway has been delayed yet again.
They've blamed a council funding squeeze but the reality is that AT is incapable of delivering on their promises.
Did this pole really need to go here?
For years I've been battling with Auckland Transport to try address the lack of pedestrian crossings on the Mt Wellington Highway near Sylvia Park. Not just a major shopping destination, it's also a transport hub for the area but there's gaps in the footpaths.
Where's my bus?
I'm meant to at a sustainable business event, talking with other local young professionals about what we can do to tackle climate change. Huge challenge we have to face.
But instead I'm standing at a bus stop waiting for a bus that may never come.
Road safety needs to be taken seriously
It's Road Safety Week and Auckland Transport have shown their support. But what we need is action.
Community Patrols NZ conference
In mid-March I spent a weekend in Palmerston North at the Community Patrols New Zealand leadership conference representing Botany.
Selling parks and reserves won't fix anything
Stunning Saturday afternoon for a community meeting in Aberfeldy Park in Highland Park. Sadly this park is on the list for potential sale under Auckland Council's so called "asset recycling" programme which will see over $224m in community assets sold.
Auckland Transport is increasing fares, yet again.
In what feels like deja vu, Auckland Transport is yet again increasing the fares for public transport. From 7 February about half of all passengers will pay an average 35 cents more for each trip. In 2016 they reworked the fare structure and every year since then fares have gone up. Last year they blamed petrol prices and this year it's COVID19. The reality is that Auckland already has one of the most expensive public transport fares in the world and making it more expensive is only making our transport issues worse.
Reflecting on 2020
As we head into 2021, I've been reflecting back on the previous year. 2020 was a lot and certainly not the year I’d planned for! It's tempting to write it off and pretend it didn't happen but amongst the chaos there were still good times.
Inaction, waste mar the first decade of Super City - NZ Herald
After a decade of vanity projects, wasteful spending and empty gestures, Auckland Council’s abysmal financial management is finally catching up with it. While some may delight in its downfall, the residents and ratepayers are left to face the brunt of its inept management.
Selling land is short sighed
I'm not ideologically opposed to asset sales - sometimes it makes sense to sell some unused land to fund something better and more useful for the community. But selling them to fund a shortfall in revenue means we're loosing out, especially when it's clear that even this massive selloff will do little to plug the gap.
Lack of skatepark needs to be addressed
When it comes to parks and recreation, what we do have is often too small or desperately out of date. Lloyd Elsmore Skatepark isn't just outdated, it's dangerous.
Council should be investing in the safety of our children
We've got our priorities wrong Auckland, keeping our kids safe should be at the top of the list. More students walking and cycling is better for congestion, the environment and children’s health. Instead our city gets distracted with half-baked ideas for waterfront stadiums. We need to focus on real priorities, cut the fluff and get on with it.
Auckland Council's ineffective governance of CCOs
Considering the massive impact that CCOs have on our daily lives, you'd imagine that they would be a top priority for Council. But in reality "council’s many plans, policies and strategies offer almost no practical strategic direction to CCOs."
Point View Drive gets another community clean up
Point View Dr offers some stunning views over East Auckland, but unfortunately some people dump rubbish which ruins it for everyone. Today we had 2nd annual clean up, organised by Howick Local Board Member Mike Turinsky