How should we talk about change?
A better world isn’t just possible, it’s desirable. And that’s how we should frame a lot of our conversations around making a greater Auckland.
As an example take urban climate action. A climate friendly Auckland: Is free from congestion
Enables people to travel how they choose
Is filled with green spaces
Has clean air
Allows people to live near amenities, work, and their community.…
20 Comments Time for a Transfer of Power in Entrust
What if I told you that if you pay for electricity in Auckland’s Isthmus, South Auckland, East Auckland, or Waiheke Island, you have a say in how a $3.76b company is run?
What if I told you that one group has been in control of this resource on your behalf for the past 30 years, and is running it in an almost comically bad fashion?…
Auckland Harbour Bridge is collapsing*
This guest post by Tim Adriaansen, an advocate for accessibility and sustainable transport, is an expanded version of a recent post on LinkedIn.
A note to readers: we suggest reading all the way to the footnote, especially if you’re new around here.…
Why Entrust Needs New Leadership
I am part of a new team running in the Entrust election in October.
Entrust is a community electricity trust representing a significant swathe of Auckland, and set up to serve the community. It is governed by five trustees, who are elected every three years in an election the trust itself oversees.…
Climate change and the Draft GPS
This is a guest post from Robert McLachlan
Global warming is accelerating; 2023 was off the charts. We need to stop burning fossil fuels. In New Zealand, transport accounts for half of all fossil fuels burnt. In the Emissions Reduction Plan, transport emissions fall 41% by 2035.…
Rod Oram: a legacy to live up to
Yesterday we had the very sad news that business and climate journalist Rod Oram had died after having a heart attack while cycling through Ambury Park on Sunday.
Rod was one of the absolute best at being able to communicate the connections and paths between how we live and how we could live – most especially and urgently in recent years, on the need for climate action and the abundant opportunities to achieve it in realistic and rewarding ways.…
A Market Model for Intercity Rail
The North Island Main Trunk rail line between Auckland and Wellington is 680km long, mostly electrified, and low speed for intercity rail (80-100kph). It’s a major public asset, but woefully underutilised.
How can we work this asset harder, to deliver way more benefits for our country and our people?…
The climate will (continue to) deliver its own advice
Yesterday the Climate Change Commission released their final advice for the government’s second Emission Reduction Plan which will run from 2026 to 2030. Notably they titled the release: Government policies must add up to achieve climate goals
While the Commission’s analysis shows the country has made progress, it is not on track to meet its climate goals for the end of this decade.…
Waka Kotahi shows its true colours
Much like Auckland Transport did a year ago following local body elections, Waka Kotahi are showing their true colours by quickly cancelling pausing walking, cycling and public transport projects in the wake of the general election. Radio NZ reports:
Waka Kotahi (New Zealand Transport Agency) is putting on hold hundreds of millions of dollars of funding for projects designed to reduce New Zealand’s emissions through encouraging walking, cycling and the use of public transport.…
The Future Development Strategy
This is a guest post by Heidi O’Callahan.
We currently have an opportunity to change how Auckland grows, and Council wants to know what you think.
Submissions on the draft Future Development Strategy (“draft Strategy” or “FDS”) are due on the 31st July.…
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