Absolutely chuffed: our report from CRL opening day
What a day! Sunday saw the first running of passenger trains through the City Rail Link tunnels and stations. Some of us were up before the birds to catch the very first train, while others took a more leisurely approach.
Below, we each share our thoughts and impressions from Day One – and we look forward to hearing yours.…
15 Comments Weekly Roundup 11-September-2026
Kia ora, and welcome to our weekly roundup of stories about what makes cities great, including our own. Today’s header image shows our Matt Lowrie and Patrick Reynolds, with the godfather of the City Rail Link, former Mayor Len Brown, at today’s ribbon-cutting ceremony.…
Let’s build resilience, reform government and reimagine our cities
The Post has been running a series of think-pieces on how to fix the country, and invited Greater Auckland director Matt Lowrie, among others, for an ideal “first 100 days” plan. We’re happy to share Matt’s take with our readers. Turns out you can say quite a lot in 750 words!…
Weekly Roundup 4-September-2026
Kia ora and welcome to our weekly roundup of stories about what makes cities great, including our own. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday, we exposed how electioneering is bulldozing sensible policymaking (again)
On Tuesday, Connor exposed the true cost of the Warworth to Te Hana PPP (an outrageous nine billion)
On Wednesday, Patrick examined the gratifyingly sensible Auckland Motorway Strategic Plan
And on Thursday, we ran a guest post from Auckland Transport about level crossing options on the Western Line.…
Election silly season bulldozes sensible transport policy (again)
Last week it was deeply frustrating to see major parties of both the government and opposition say they won’t increase fuel taxes and road user charges, including Labour saying they won’t increase them at all for the next three years.
As reported by Stuff: Nicola Willis has clarified that halting a planned fuel tax is a National Party position, not yet official Government policy.…
Weekly Roundup 28-August-2026
Kia ora and welcome to our weekly roundup of stories about what makes cities great, including our own. Today’s header image shows a skateboarder enjoying Dunedin’s George St: image via NZIA/ Jasmax, see related story below. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday, we took a look at the Mayor’s Meola musings, and why they’re a distraction
On Wednesday, a guest post by Darren Davis shared thoughts on what he’s learned in Queensland
On Thursday, we ran a throwback post on the long history of options for the next harbour crossing Greater Auckland in the News
Patrick spoke with RNZ’s Checkpoint about the benefits of de-congestion pricing, and followed up with Stuff on the same topic:
Greater Auckland co-founder and director Patrick Reynolds supports the idea, saying fewer cars would mean faster journeys for motorists who chose or needed to drive, while money could be invested in public transport and cycleways.…
Throwback Thursday: A History of Harbour Crossing Options
With new plans (or, at least, plans to get a plan) for the Waitematā Harbour crossing in the news, here’s a timely throwback. This post by Matt Lowrie was originally published on 5 June 2019. The more things change, the more they remain the same!…
Moving beyond the Meola distraction
Last week’s announcement that the Government plans to punt a decision on the next Waitematā Harbour Crossing out beyond the election included an offer – or a barbed hook, depending on your point of view – to Mayor Wayne Brown.
The Mayor remains inexplicably fixated on the notion of building a road bridge from Meola Reef to the North Shore.…
Weekly Roundup 21-August-2026
Kia ora and welcome to our weekly roundup of stories about what makes cities great, including our own. Today’s header image shows a busy Karangahape Road on the day of last weekend’s “First Look” event at the new station.
Reminder: free tickets are available here for tomorrow’s open day at Te Waihorotiu Station (Saturday 22 August).…
Unclogging arterials – but not at the cost of active modes
Auckland Transport is proposing improvements to bus and transit lanes on key arterials, for “safer, easier and more reliable journeys” on Remuera Rd, Mt Eden Rd, and Sandringham Rd. There’s a brochure here.
You can give feedback on the plans here until Sunday 23 August.…
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