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.…
35 Comments 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.…
Wayne Brown vs Wayne Brown
Recently, under its new Mayor Andrew Little, Wellington City Council voted to delay the Golden Mile street project for yet another review.
This is despite the Golden Mile being well supported in (repeated) consultations, with a benefit cost ratio of 5.8, and with millions of dollars of central government funding sitting there ready to use – plus the obvious fact that this part of Wellington really really needs the spruce-up.…
This government’s legacy for transport in Auckland
The following is an op-ed I wrote which ran in the NZ Herald on November 3. It’s turning out to be even more topical than ever – read to the end for an update with recent events… In July 2016, dignitaries geared up to ride along a brand new cycleway on Quay Street in Auckland.…
At a crossroads: How a new Auckland Council will traverse transport policy
Connor stood on the City Vision ticket in the latest local elections, in a personal capacity.
This ran in The Post on October 21 2025. Despite the lowest ever local election turnout, this was perhaps Auckland’s most consequential election so far.…
What this local election means for transport in Auckland
Connor Sharp is running for the Waitematā Local Board in this year’s election. On Saturday (pending any close-run races), we’ll learn who will govern our city for the next three years.
While the mayoral race feels like a foregone conclusion – to the point there’s barely even any media coverage of it – who else will be sitting around the council table, and who will sit on the various local boards, will have a big impact on the city’s future.…
Project K is gonna be OK
Breaking news: better things are indeed possible!
At the end of last week, the agenda of the Waitematā Local Board went public revealing the outcome of Auckland Transport’s recent work to fix the Karanga-a-Hape Station Precinct Integration Project, aka Project K.…
NZTA’s self-contradictory changes to SH16 Brigham Creek to Waimauku
A couple of months ago, NZTA reversed its plans to install a median wire barrier on SH16 for stage 1 of the SH16 Brigham Creek to Waimauku project.
The project, which officially aims “to improve safety”, was – and still is – midway through construction, and the decision to delete the median barriers from the design appeared to have no real justification.…
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