Simeon Brown works to make transport system less sustainable
This week we have seen National confirm it will cancel the Auckland Regional Fuel Tax and this will cause the cancellation or suspension of many projects designed to address congestion. And it has been confirmed that axing the clean car discount has seen sales of electric vehicles plummet. And that electric vehicles will shortly pay more to use the road than petrol vehicles.
Tree protection for urban trees to be restored
The Government is set to overturn the previous National Government's laws that prevented proper protection of urban trees and which has seen a stampede of urban tree removal.
Why selling Auckland Port Operations is a particularly silly thing to do
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown is proposing that Council sells off the operations arm of Ports of Auckland despite the potential threat to Maritime Union workers, Auckland Businesses and the region's development plans for downtown Auckland.
Auckland Council's finances - there is no crisis
At the risk of being described as financially illiterate I thought I would set out why I think Auckland Council selling its airport shares is a particularly silly thing to do and why Council's finances are not in a status of crisis.
A death in Glen Eden
This week the place in Glen Eden where a young Samoan man died was blessed in a simple ceremony where the man’s family remarkably talked about forgiveness.
The term ahead for the Waitakere Ranges Local Board
I have the privilege of being re elected as chair of the Waitakere Ranges Local Board and Michelle Clayton is the deputy chair.This is an excerpt from my speech to this term’s inaugural local board meeting.
How does Auckland Council's budget compare to that of an ordinary household?
There are lots of shock horror claims about Auckland Council's finances. But if you compare it to an ordinary household things are not as bad as some would make you think.
WRLB end of term report 2022 – Three years of living strangely
My review of the past three years on the Waitakere Ranges Local Board. It has been a term like no other with the effects of a global pandemic profound. Despite this we advanced much of what we wanted to do although TItirangi's chickens are still a problem ...
Bring back Waitakere City
Super City is now 12 years old. Council is too removed from the local community and local boards do not have the power to effect meaningful change. Is it time to bring back Waitakere City?