More intensification in Auckland? Yes Please
The following is an op-ed I wrote which ran in the Sunday Star Times and The Post on March 8th 2026. Yesterday, Auckland Council agreed on principles to guide a review of PC120 after the government amended the plan. Everyone agrees we need more housing in Auckland, and that it’s best located near transport options, and places people work, study and shop.…
43 Comments $22,000,000,000 on just one road?
Last year, I posted about the challenges I faced, trying to daylight public-interest information about the government’s Roads of National Significance programme. As I wrote then, entire documents – including even titles – were being withheld on what looked to me like flimsy grounds.…
Auckland’s next harbour crossing: A costly failure that needs fixing
The following is an op-ed I wrote which ran in The Post on February 13th 2026. We need cross-party consensus for good long-term political decision-making, especially when it comes to major infrastructure. Right now, this isn’t happening. Worse: political parties may agree about the wrong things, seriously undermining our future at huge cost.…
Midtown Trial: Who wants to ruin Queen St?
Earlier this week, I detailed how Auckland Transport is messing up Midtown with a proposed trial on Queen Street and Wellesley Street.
AT’s trial will: Reopen the section of Queen St between Wakefield and Wellesley to general vehicles, from 7pm – 7am (Currently, this is a 24/7 AVO zone – Authorised Vehicles Only – used by buses, bikes, mopeds, motorbikes, emergency vehicles, and registered goods vehicles.)…
Midtown Trial: How AT are making a mess of Queen St & Wellesley St
Just before Christmas, Auckland Transport (AT) let slip a plan for a two-year “trial” of bringing back overnight traffic along Queen Street.
Specifically, they want to reopen the section of Queen St between Wakefield and Wellesley to general vehicles, from 7pm – 7am.…
We can have nice things
The following is an op-ed I wrote which ran in The Post on December 23rd 2025. As we head into a long hot summer in Tāmaki Makaurau, people are flocking to the many wonderful places that have opened this year, and perhaps even getting there in new ways.…
What’s in the RoNS files?
Earlier this week, Te Waihanga, The Infrastructure Commission, called for more transparency for infrastructure investment.
I thoroughly agree. A lack of transparency, especially in mega projects, has been a hallmark of the transport sector in New Zealand – and not only is it detrimental to the public interest, it also prevents improvements to how we do infrastructure as a country.…
It’s time to stand up for a better Queen Street, again!
Here we are again. For the umpteenth time, more changes are being proposed for Queen Street (and Midtown).
Unfortunately, these are not good changes, and they include pouring traffic back into the short section of Queen Street that’s currently car-free, between Wakefield St.…
Light Rail Lives On?
Earlier this year Te Waihanga, the New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, invited submissions for Round 2 of its Infrastructure Priorities Programme (IPP), looking to help identify proposals and projects that: are nationally important
will meet New Zealand’s strategic objectives
represent good value for money
and can be delivered.…
Cycleways are good for everyone
The following is an op-ed I wrote which ran in The Post on November 20th. On a sunny winter day in June, I attended “Party on the Path”, celebrating the opening of the Point Chevalier to Westmere project. Thousands of people blissfully wheeled and walked the three-kilometre route, enjoying the festivities.…
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